High Wycombe is celebrating after the Bucks Free Press saved the biggest event in the town’s calendar.

The newspaper rescued the beleaguered Wycombe Show – which was cancelled this year for only the second time in its 54-year history, due to a lack of support.

It is guaranteeing thousands of visitors that next year’s show will be better than ever by bringing back a balance of attractions for people from both town and country.

The Free Press sealed an agreement with Wycombe District Council to run the three day event from August 15 and the paper says it is drawing up plans to make it the “best-ever”.

It is joining forces with Bournemouth-based Clive Bravington, who organises the Wycombe Motor Show.

He said: “The Bucks Free Press is really rescuing this show. It will be a really good day out.”

Free Press Group exhibitions co-ordinator Sue Whapshott said: “The Bucks Free Press Group is proud to be the new organiser of the High Wycombe Town Show.

“This will be a new and exciting challenge for me. We have been keen to make the show bigger and better than ever and a fantastic day for the whole family.”

There will be space for more than 200 trade stands for local businesses to be part of one of the biggest events the people of Wycombe have witnessed, complete with a funfair and the John Smith’s Festival Circus.

The Wycombe Show, an integral part of the town’s cultural heritage, was first opened by Lord Carrington in 1947. It used to attract up to 15,000 people but organisers cancelled for 2003, blaming a lack of funding and manpower.

The Free Press is limiting places at the ticket-only show to 5,000 each day, so that visitors do not spend half their day queuing to get on rides.

Town mayor Ian McEnnis said: “It’s a brilliant idea. It’s a damned shame the show didn’t happen this year. This will be excellent.”

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