More than £20,000 was donated to local charities and community groups following the success of the 2025 Aylsham Show, with beneficiaries gathering at Aylsham Town Hall to receive certificates marking their awards.
The presentation event brought together dozens of organisations that benefited from the show, with individual donations ranging from £250 to £1,000. Representatives from each group were invited to say a few words, with many explaining how the funding will make a direct difference to their activities and the people they support.
Among the recipients was Aylsham Football Club, which received £750. Gus Bates, collecting on behalf of the club, said the relationship between the club and the show worked both ways.
“We’re really pleased to be able to support the Aylsham Show by putting up the banners for the main ring,” he said. “The donation we’ve received will go towards creating a covered area for spectators at Youngs Park.”
Three disabled riding groups were among the beneficiaries: Norwich and District, Worstead and District, and The Magpie Centre. Holly Mason from The Magpie Centre said the donation would help the group manage rising costs.
“We are extremely grateful for this donation,” she said. “It will help us meet the ever-increasing running costs, allowing us to continue providing opportunities for riders who gain so much from what we do.”
Organisers highlighted that the impressive total was made possible not only through show-day ticket sales but also through the continued generosity of valued sponsors. Significant funds were also raised at the annual Show Dance, which welcomed around 500 guests and included both a raffle and an auction.
David Hitcham, event administrator, thanked everyone involved in making the fundraising possible.
“The level of support we receive is extraordinary,” he said. “From volunteers and sponsors to visitors, guests, and donors, this total reflects a huge team effort, and it’s wonderful to see the money going straight back into our community.”
Outgoing president Jane Ritchie also praised the commitment behind the scenes and the impact of the donations.
“The Aylsham Show has always been about giving back,” she said. “To be able to distribute £20,000 to such a wide range of deserving organisations is something we can all be very proud of. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported the show during my time as president, and I’m especially pleased that we are able to support two charities close to my heart — Vision Norfolk and The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association — both of which do such important work.”
The certificate presentation marked a fitting conclusion to another successful year for the Aylsham Show, reinforcing its role at the heart of the local community.
Full list of the beneficiaries:
Age UK Norfolk, Anyone Can Run, Aylsham Band, Aylsham Bowling Club, Aylsham Business Consortium, Aylsham and District Care Trust, Aylsham Community First Responders, Aylsham & District Community Shed, Aylsham and District Flower Club (Aylsham Care Trust), Aylsham Football Club Ltd, Aylsham Heritage Centre, Aylsham Rangers, Aylsham Roman Project, Aylsham and District Rotary Club, Aylsham St Michaels and All Angels Church, Aylsham Table Tennis Club, Aylsham Tennis Club, Aylsham Youth Club, Banningham Bowls Club, Benjamin Foundation, Bradfield Cricket Club, 2nd Buxton Guides, 1st Buxton Lamas Sea Scout Group, Buxton Village Hall and Playing Field, Friends of Cawston Primary Academy, East Anglia’s Childrens Hospices, Fishing For Schools Eastern Region, Food & Farming Discovery Trust, Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, The Healing Harbour, Lymphoma Action (The Norfolk Lymphoma Group), The Magdalene Group (Rose Project), The Magpie Centre West Norfolk RDA, Making Connections Dementia Group Hoveton and Wroxham, National Coastwatch Institution Cromer, North Norfolk Talking Newspaper Association (The Mardler), North Norfolk Vikings Swimming Club, North Walsham Heritage Centre, North Walsham YFC, Norwich and District Riding for the Disabled, The Nurture Project, Priscilla Bacon Hospice, Reepham & District Rotary Club, Sainsburys NW Fundraising Group (North Walsham Good Neighbours), Vision Norfolk, Worstead & District Riding for the Disabled,
