Glorious come-back for county show
Organisers of this year's Devon County Show are celebrating what they called a 'glorious come-back for glorious Devon's premier event', as the last of almost 100,000 show-goers made their happy way home from the Westpoint showground near Exeter.
A combination of a myriad of trade stands, some of the finest food and drink to be found at any show anywhere, an impressive range of agricultural machinery, perfect weather - plus what seems to have been a very conscious effort by Devon's people and businesses to rally round their county show after last year's third day cancellation, produced one of the biggest three day attendances in recent years. All of the overflow car-parks were filled to capacity by Saturday afternoon.
Show Secretary Ollie Allen said: "This has been our 120th show, and amongst all of those shows, there can have been very few which have been more successful and enjoyable. We haven't just bounced back from last year, we have taken the show onto a new level, with more agricultural machinery and farming-related trade stands than for many years, a hugely successful new children’s feature in our Farm Wise initiative with Devon County Council, and more top quality local food and drink stands.”
The first day of the Show opened with a visit by HRH Princess Anne who met livestock exhibitors, local producers, school children and the Armed Forces. She met members of the Devon Federation of Young Farmers to discuss issues which affect young people who want to work and live in the countryside.
Farm Minister George Eustice made his first public outing in his new role after the election to talk at the CLA breakfast to reiterate the new Government's commitment to boosting the productivity and economic contribution of the British farming industry, without making any specific policy commitments.
The highlight of the Minister's tour of the show ground was a visit to the pig lines, where he stood in as a handler, as brother Giles, of Trevaskis Farm, Hayle, won a first prize in the British Lop classes.
Elsewhere, Great British Bake Off’s Glenn Cosby baked the show a birthday cake to celebrate the 120th Show which was presented to Show President David Parish and Mary Quicke, MBE, Chairman.
Visitors enjoyed a wide range of entertainment from the thrilling motocross skills of the Bolddog Lings in the Mole Valley Farmers main arena to getting up close to an Army Challenger tank as well as putting their rugby skills to the test.
The largest marquee ever erected on the show ground was home to floral arrangements, garden displays, handicrafts, Westcountry crafts and three inspirational rooms sets featuring products all sourced within the South West and created by Exmouth company Love Local.
Hundreds of people tried out their driving skills on a new tractor course, while tractors old and new along with vintage cars and steam engines were popular with visitors of all ages.
All features from bees, poultry to cavies attracted visitors eager to enjoy the varied and informative displays and experts were on hand to provide advice and guidance.
One of the highlights was the judging of the interbreed cattle championships. The champion beef animal was a 17 month old Limousin bull, Foxhill Farm Jasper, shown by Devon County Show stalwarts, Melanie and Michael Alford, from Cullompton.
Some idea of the value of the animals on show can be gained from the fact that Jasper has already been sold for £35,000, although Mr and Mrs Alford have retained the right to show him through the current show season.
And Mark Davis from Cullompton made it a Devon double in the blue riband interbreeds, as his Jersey cow, Bluegrass Grand Prix Supersonic Black, went home with the dairy championship. She's a four year old cow, who won both the Jersey breed championship and the dairy interbreeds at last year's Royal Cornwall Show.
The Show was a showcase for young farming talent. Young farmers and students from Bicton College were heavily involved in stewarding as well as exhibiting.
In the junior handler classes it was a five year old shepherd who beat rivals more than twice his age. Logan Irwin from Kingsnympton picked up the title of champion senior handler with his Suffolk ewe.
The interbreed pig championship was won by Julian and Alice Newth from Shepton Mallet with their British Saddleback after winning three breed championships including the Large White and Landrace.
A two year old Texel ram owned by FH Chaves and Son from Wellington was awarded the interbreed sheep championship.
Judges tucked in at the Spring Sausage competition, won jointly by Deborah Edwards and MC Kelly. Steward Deborah Custance-Baker described the standard as ‘exceptionally good’.
Precise attendance figures will be known shortly but an estimate based on car parks put it on a par with the most successful shows of recent years.
