THIS year’s Stoke Climsland Show, held on the village green, was bigger than ever with more than 1,300 entries — a record for the traditional show.

The show has a long history, but has seen a number of changes over the past year which has helped to attract new families and some very keen new entrants to help secure its future.

The show was officially opened this year by Jane Coumbe who first entered when she came to the village 38 years ago. She reminisced about the unwritten rules of exhibiting and her family’s enjoyment of the baking practice around the big day.

The show’s committee chairman highlighted the importance of teamwork in the organisation and running of the show. He also acknowledged the support of exhibitors and visitors on show day itself, saying everyone was important in the continued success of Stoke Climsland Show.

There were some new classes, including Lego Model, a new, colourful schedule design, a name change in order to reflect the diversity of classes and even a Facebook page.

Old favourites remained such as the Launceston Town Band which helped to set the atmosphere and seemed to chase the rain clouds away.

Cream teas filled the village hall with sweet and savoury treats all prepared by an amazing team of volunteers. Emazdad children’s entertainer again enthralled the younger audience with his magic and balloon modelling skills.

There were numerous stalls around the green, including ShelterBox, Callington Rotary Club, the Old School Community Centre, Duchy College, traditional crafts, jams and preserves and Ben Mayhew, senior paramedic, was promoting the new defibrillator installed at the sports and social club.

There was a good number of children’s entries — the next generation of cooks, gardeners, engineers, artists, writers and designers had created exhibits to be proud of.

The floral art was deemed to be stunning — the theme ‘All things Bright and Beautiful’ lived up to expectations and there were some beautiful garden flower displays. The cookery classes included mouth-watering displays of everything from Cornish fairings and brandy snaps to breads and quiches.

Beers, wines and ciders, sloe gin and elderflower champagne lined up next to the equally colourful jams, pickles and preserves.

Fruit and vegetable entries showed the diversity of produce grown by local gardeners and allotmenteers from perfect tiny tomatoes to feathery fennel despite the sometimes unpredictable Cornish weather.

The standard of entries was high with young and old competing for the numerous silver cups and trophies that were awarded. Notable winners were Thomas Barriball, Derick Ross and Edah Joll, each winning three or more cups.

The day was rounded off with free evening entertainment. A bar and delicious barbecue, kindly provided by the sports and social club, ensured that everyone could relax and let down their hair to live music from Richard Long and The Mets.

All donations were much appreciated and go towards putting on next year’s show.