A RETIREMENT village has vowed its community show will return next year following a successful first staging.

Middleton Hall Retirement Village, in Middleton St George, near Darlington, held its first ever village show last month.

The event, which was masterminded by residents and staff at the retirement village, featured a host of traditional activities, workshops and entertainment, as well as a barbecue served on the lawns.

A marquee in the grounds showcased 26 competition classes for arts and crafts, cookery, flowers and prize vegetables, as well as a best in show trophy.

There was a wide range of entries from people from the area and residents proudly displayed produce they had grown in the Middleton Hall allotments and crafted in the village's art and pottery studios.

Another highlight was a dog show with six classes including the waggiest tail and best dog categories.

Judges, who included members of Middleton St George WI, Sadberge and Middleton St George councillor Doris Jones, representatives from The Dogs Trust, members of Middleton Hall’s Allotment Society and the retirement village’s managing director Jeremy Walford, were very impressed by the breadth and quality of entries in all competition categories.

The show attracted crowds of visitors from Middleton Hall’s surrounding communities as well as residents and their families, who also enjoyed entertainment by the Texas Toe Tappers and Morris dancers and a number of market stalls, tombola and information stands, laid on for the day.

The organising committee of residents and staff from Middleton Hall Retirement Village said they were delighted with the popularity and success of the show and are in unanimous agreement that it is an event to be repeated.

Audra Hunt, living well and training manager at Middleton Hall said: “It was an absolute pleasure to see the village enjoying the big day together in this way.

"There was so much activity, so much talent on show and there were big smiles all round. We are already looking forward to next year’s event.”

Last month, it was revealed that almost 200 jobs had been safeguarded at a retirement village after bosses decided to transfer its ownership to staff.

Bosses say the move is aimed at safeguarding the long-term future of the home, and will make it one of only 300 UK employee-owned companies and the first staff-owned retirement village or residential care facility in the country.