PERFECT weather greeted animals, farmers and visitors at this last West of England Christmas Fatstock Show in Tavistock this century.
The show which had moved from mid-week to a Saturday was back after a year's break. It featured hundreds of classes from sheep and cattle, ducks and guinea pigs through hay and barley to jam and decorated fairy cakes.
Prime cattle specimens were washed and titivated to impress the judge, before being led round in pristine halters and even encouraged to stand showing their best side.
Steam rose from bovine backs in the crisp morning air as prospective class winners chewed the cud impassively — a watchful eye was kept on these beasts by Tavistock butcher John Downing.
'There's some high quality cattle — it's nice to see there are a few more entries this year, it's picking up a bit.
'There's some good meat for Christmas here,' he said.
Retired farmer Ginger White had his work cut out judging the live poultry section.
He was shadowed by one anxious young exhibitor, keen to see his guinea pigs do well though with just three entrants the odds were in his favour.
Ginger has been coming to the Fatstock Show for many years and though encouraged by the standard of animals on display, he was nostalgic at memories of shows gone by.
'The laughs we used to have — we used to have some really good fun. The social side just isn't there now,' he said.
Poultry steward Maurice Gerry agreed.
'It was a two-day show and back in those days it was more of a social event.
'You don't get so many people as you used to. When you look back at the crowds you used to get at the pannier market — I think a lot of people don't even know there is a market in Tavistock now,' he said.
Despite the changes, show secretary Russell Woolcock was pleased with the day.
'The weather has been kind to us, we've had some good entries and good cattle. The judges haven't had an easy job,' he said.
Douglas Bowhay of Mary Tavy picked up a reserve prize for his lightweight steer. 'I think it's a very good show — it's an improvement on the last few years but it would be nice to get a few more of the public here,' he said.
At the end of the day, the champion beast was a Limousin cross Welsh black steer belonging to Jonathan Merritt of Launceston which was bought by John Downing.
The scout hall in Pixon Lane housed the domestic section, boasting a healthy crop of homemade cakes, jams and jellies.
Youthful fingers must have spent hours creating models of Father Christmas out of cereal boxes, cotton wool and straws, while many more hours were taken creating a magnificent water mill entirely out of sugar.
Tamar branch of the Sugarcraft Guild won a gold medal in a regional competition last year for their stunning model, which includes 1,998 slates, 6,467 bricks, miniature cabbages and pumpkins in the kitchen garden and beautiful working water wheel.