Fun in the Hay

One of the star attractions of the morning programme was the needle—in-the-haystack hunt, open to women of all ages, for a prize of a canteen of cutlery. The stack was dragged on to the ground on a tarpaulin, and at a given signal, dozens of women dived into the straw and set to with a will. The "Photo News" camera was right in there too, recording the trials and techniques of competitors.

Eager participants are bowed to their tasks like Moslems greeting the rising sun, while one of their number really takes the stack apart.

Three competitors demonstrate the basic styles of the keen needle-hunter. You can squat, or bend, or kneel, but the main thing is to keep searching that straw with a sharp eye.

Never before was a haystack so quickly levelled.

The winner in action

Three on a spot

Swinging arm technique covers more ground

Mrs J. Dalton holds up bodkin in triumph . . .

. . . and contestants suddenly realise they're looking in the wrong place.

Members of the Manx Motorcycle Club provided the public with some of the best thrills of the day.

In addition to catapulting their machines through a blazing hoop, the motor-cycle boys gave an exciting display of trick riding, and competed in two motorised flag races.