WHAT a great day — blue skies and sunshine! On behalf of the Okehampton and District Agricultural Association we would like to thank everyone who came to our show last Thursday, in whatever capacity, from judges, exhibitors, performers, comm-entators, sponsors, visitors, stewards, members, volunteers and helpers.

The weather makes such a difference and we were so lucky this year to be blessed with good weather making it, what we hoped, was an enjoyable day for everyone.

As a one-day agricultural show we are one of the largest in the county, attracting visitors from both town and country and so much work goes into making the show a success. As a charity the association awards grants to local students who go on to study agriculture and horticulture. At this current time when buying local food and produce is at the forefront of the public’s mind, it is vital that youngsters are encouraged to work within the farming industry and continue to manage the countryside.

There are so many people to thank from the president and president elect, the mayor and officials of Okehampton Town Council, the show committee, show and section secretaries, stewards, shearing team and local organisations, including Allyson and her team from St John Ambulance, Okehampton Army Cadet Force, Okehampton and District Lions Club, Okehampton Rotary Club, Okehampton Rugby Club, OCRA, Mark Wooldridge Livestock and General Haulage, North Park Vets, Dr Watson and Dr Weldon from Okehampton Medical Centre, Donald’s Menswear, Okeford Veterinary Centre, Mole Avon Town and Country Stores and many more including all the unnamed wonderful helpers who give their time and who without the show just would not be possible to put on.

In the meantime, the showground has been returned to its usual peaceful status overlooking the northern slopes of Dartmoor, having been cleared of all marquees, hurdles, signs and equipment that make the show work.

L J G Hockridge

Chairman, Okehampton and District Agricultural Association

AS the mayor of Okehampton, I was delighted to be asked to formally open the 109th Okehampton Show.

I want to thank this year’s president Simon Whattler, the chairman of the show committee John Hockridge and Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council, led by Cllr Derek Webber who put an enormous effort into getting the show ready for the thousands of visitors.

The showground must be one of the most beautiful in the country with the glorious backdrop of the northernmost tors and sunlit moor.

Although Okehampton is no longer a market town it has deep, enduring rural roots. The town itself is surrounded by the hamlets parish which despite the increasing number of new houses to the east of the town, is predominantly rural. The agricultural show reminds everyone that farming and farmers are still part of our life here.

We may buy our food in supermarkets but the supermarkets are supplied by farmers and hopefully, our local ones. Apart from the supermarkets we are lucky to have independent shops in our town centre that sell locally produced meat and vegetables, bread and cheese.

Most of our pubs and restaurants use local suppliers too. The more we use local suppliers, the more sustainable we make our local economy.

Thousands of people came to watch the riding displays, the ferret racing, the vintage cars and tractors. Every year the showfield provides the opportunity for local businesses and voluntary groups to inform, entertain and demonstrate their specialisms. This year there were hundreds of trade stands with an amazing eclectic mix of goods.

Okehampton may be a small town, but we actually have a catchment area of over 14,000 people. We are a hub for the surrounding villages and parishes and we need to attract those people into the town.

Annual events like the Okehampton Show not only brings town and countryside together in a joyous celebration of rurality, but also help to confirm our joint commitment to this beautiful area we are so lucky to call home.

Cllr Jan Goffey

Okehampton Mayor

I CAN’T sing enough praises for the administrators and participants and all the workers who worked terribly hard to put on a great Okehampton Agricultural Show and also arranging good weather for us to see it.

This show is not enough for just one day. It is a very big show now and deserves to be spread over at least two days.

All the stalls and their attendants were lovely and I’m grateful for the free bus service to and from Stoney Park Showground. The setting of Dartmoor for the show is awesome.

Hyder Pirwany

Okehampton