THE NEW chairman of Okehampton Show John Hockridge has said he is hoping for another superb show following the huge success of last year?s event.
The role of chairman of Okehampton Show has been taken on by Mr Hockridge following the death of long standing chairman Bill Voaden last December.
Mr Hockridge had served as joint chairman with Mr Voaden at last year?s show, Mr Roger Alford will become vice-chairman.
Mr Hockridge has served on the show committee for nearly 40 years. He said being chairman of the show was a challenge.
?It is a challenge I look forward to. I hope we can take the show on to even greater things,? he said.
This year?s show will take place on Thursday, August 12.
Mr Hockridge said ?preparations were already well in advance?.
The new chairman said next year?s (2005) show will be an even bigger occasion as it will be the centenary show.
Mr Hockridge was elected chairman of the show at the annual meeting of Okehampton and District Agricultural Association which was held on February 26.
The committee heard that last year?s show had been a great success, helped by the ?tremendous publicity? given to the show by retiring President Noel Edmonds on his BBC Radio 2 programme.
Mr Hockridge said the marvellous weather was also another major factor, but the return of livestock in large numbers really made for a very successful show with record crowds attending.
The accounts for 2003 were presented at the meeting by Peter Balsom of Simpkins Edwards and subsequently approved by the committee.
The show recorded a profit of £10,705.
This year?s President will be Peter Balsom, with Mr Bob Barrett being chosen as President elect.