IT'S a new date for Okehampton Show — just a week after the fate of this top one-day agricultural event hung in the balance.
The annual West Devon shop window for farmers and trade stands was due to take place on Thursday, August 9, foot and mouth permitting.
But then the Devon County Show changed its dates from mid-May to August 9, 10 and 11 because of the farming crisis.
Okehampton Show organisers feared a show already diminished by a lack of sheep and cattle sections because of the foot and mouth crisis would be further eclipsed by this double date.
But now Okehampton Show chairman Bill Voaden says the event is provisionally booked for Wednesday, August 22.
'We will decide what sort of show it will be, subject to foot and mouth. It will be as normal as possible but without some of the stock.
'If it wasn't for the Devon County Show we would still be holding ours on August 9. It means a lot of work for us,' said Mr Voaden.
He said committee members discussed sticking with the original date but felt it would be impractical.
'One or two wanted to cancel the show altogether but I persuaded them not to. It would have been a break from tradition,' said Mr Voaden.
In the early sixties there was a break for several years because there was no secretary, but since then the show has been held every year.