THE president for this year?s Centenary Okehampton Show was chosen at the recent annual meeting of Okehampton and District Agricultural Association. Bob Barrett was elected president for the show, which takes place on Thursday, August 11, and which promises many special treats to mark 100 years of the area?s premier one-day event. Mr Barrett has been involved with the show for the past 30 years and is a former secretary of Okehampton and Hatherleigh NFU. The president-elect is Mrs Christine Marsh. The accounts for 2004 were presented by Peter Balsom of Simpkin Edwards at the meeting held on February 24, and subsequently approved by the committee. Last year?s show was blighted by poor weather in the morning, keeping away many visitors. But once the rain cleared at lunchtime people arrived and spent a good afternoon looking around and enjoying themselves. The stewards had a tough time coping with the conditions and organisers said thanks were due to them all for doing their job well in difficult circumstances. Due to the poor conditions, the show recorded a loss last year of £3,173. As retiring president, Mr Balsom was thanked by the committee for the tremendous interest and amount of work he had done for the show during the year. He was elected to the management committee and will continue to play an active role in the association.
