CHAGFORD enjoyed it?s annual show last Thursday with splendid crowds, an impressive range of livestock entries and the friendly atmosphere the show is renowned for.
Sally Webber, assistant secretary said this year?s show had been a ?resounding success?.
?Entries were up, and the cattle and sheep this year were extremely good. The quality of the competitors was absolutely brilliant. We also introduced a new section for White Face Dartmoor sheep,? she said.
Mrs Webber estimated between 4,500 and 5,500 visitors turned up on the day, which she said was a ?wonderful? crowd.
Mrs Webber said she was delighted with the number of people that were still around the main ring at 5pm, with the terrier racing, as always, proving to be a popular finale to the day?s programme.
John Jordan, from Gidleigh, enjoyed another successful year at his local show, winning the Hampson Cup for supreme sheep in show for a North Country Cheviot ewe.
Robert Jordan, John?s son, said the family were very pleased to have won. ?We knew we had a chance, but you never expect to win,? he said.
Robert said there had been a ?tremendous turnout? at the show. ?It is good there are so many sheep here because there is also a big ram sale today. But still so many people have turned out to support the show.
?I think today is as strong a field of sheep as in many a year,? he said.
Mr Jordan was also successful in the horse classes, with the champion Dartmoor Pony in Hisley Craftsman.
Overall horse champion was Douglas Kellow with Mr Colman.
Capt P G McGarry from Lewdown, won three cups in the Welsh horse sections, with Rexon Royal, Bobby Dazzler and Guenever.
This year?s show president Ron Wonnacott has a long association with the show. ?I have been involved with Chagford Show for all my life, first coming here with my parents to show cattle and sheep in the 1950s, when we won the Rose Bowl outright for our South Devon cattle,? he said.
Mr Wonnacott was born at Thornworthy Farm, where he still farms with his wife Christine and sons David and Mark.
The president addressed the gathered crowd before the presentation of trophies.
?Thank you to those who helped put on such a lovely show and thank you to everyone for coming. The weather has been very nice, and we have seen lots of people here,? he said.
Getting around between the main show fields has been made much easier this year with the construction of a new bridge, completed in conjunction with the National Trust.
A special presentation was also made by Chagford and Moretonhampstead Young Farmers to Moretonhampstead and District Hospital.
The group held a sponsored bed push between Princetown and Moretonhampstead in May which raised £1,000 for a new electric bed for the hospital.
Among the Young Farmers receiving cups were: Rosebowl for most points in show ? Natalie Weaving; Most points in cookery classes ? Laura Hutchings; Boy with most points in show ? Clive James; Rosebowl for best member under-18 ? Daniel Berger; Most outstanding exhibit in tent ? Helen Merchant for a decorated egg; Best member in first full year of membership ? Clive Cooper.
The cup for best child?s pet on display in the children?s tent was won by Amy Webber, from Crockenwell for her three and a half-year-old rabbit Candyfloss.
A sheep shearing display was held on the NFU stand, with sheep supplied by local NFU branch chairman Roger Hutchings. Armed with the clippers was Steve Alford, from Whiddon Down.
Mr Hutchings said the NFU tent had been very busy all day, with many people crowding round each time the shearing demonstrations were held.
Other attractions at the show included the pedal-power exploits of mountain bike stunt rider Jez Avery in the main ring, and demonstrations by the Cogs and Wheels ladies morris dancing team from Sticklepath.