A new marquee this year, Westmorland Remembers, was popular with visitors who were touched by the beautiful display of thousands of poppies that had been knitted, crotched and created by local people. Panels told the stories of locals who had experienced life on the front line in World War I.

Visitors could also chat to members of the Military Vehicle Trust, who had brought along a selection of vintage jeeps and vehicles. John Le Page a retired art teacher from Warton and other volunteers had come dressed in authentic wartime costumes of the 1940s.

The flavour of wartime was further evoked by the live music of the Sandstones Ukulele band from Bolton-Le-Sands who were raising money for the North West Ambulance service.

The WI marquee was packed most of the day as people crowded in to see a selection of more than 1,000 entries into the different craft classes. “This year’s theme is celebrating the suffragettes and inspirational women,” said the vice chair of the WI, Lilian Berry. “We never know what to expect until people start putting up their displays and the exhibits include beautifully embroidered costumes, colourful floral displays and fine examples of crafts and foods.

“It was just splendid that Sophie visited us and showed such an interest in the work we do.”

The array of delicious looking and moist cakes, breads, fancies, jams, preserves and marmalades was complimented by a range of prettily packaged bottles of home-made damson gins, elderflower cordials and other refreshments.

Josie Fowler, age 26, had been invited to do spinning demonstrations in the WI marquee. “It was an honour to be asked as I am not a member of the WI,” said Josie. “I have had a stream of children coming and asking questions about how I spin and weave with different types of wool, along with natural fibres such as nettles, soya and mint.”

Josie, who lives in Clapham, is inspired by nature and the landscape and she includes recycled materials in her beautiful weavings.

The Learning for Life marquee was bright and colourful filled with displays of young peoples’ art and crafts, many of which were based on environmental themes such as recycling plastic, saving marine life and studying nature.