CHRISTINE Marsh will become the first female president of Okehampton Show this August, following the show association?s recent annual meeting. Okehampton and District Agricultural Association met on February 23, with Devon County Councillor and former town mayor Mrs Marsh being given the prestigious role. Derek Webber also takes office as president elect for 2007. Mrs Marsh said: ?I deem it a very great privilege to have been asked and especially to be the first lady to become president. I am looking forward to representing the farming community and Okehampton on that day. ?My father was hugely involved in farming which may be part of the reason I have been chosen. ?Of course, there is an awful lot of hard work which has gone in to make Okehampton Show one of the best one-day shows in the area and we should acknowledge those people working away in the background to achieve that success.? John Hockridge was reappointed chairman and Roger Alford and Mark Wooldridge were elected joint vice-chairmen. Ken Watts retired as a trustee of the association and Dudley Luxton was elected to that position in his place. Mr Watts has been associated with Okehampton Show for almost 80 years ? he has been a showyard director as well as a trustee for much of that time and the association is grateful to him for his tremendous service. He was appointed an honorary life member of the association. The centenary show was an excellent event ? the fine weather meant ticket sales increased substantially and there was a small surplus following the show. Plans are well under way for this year?s event which takes place on August 10.
