THE cancellation of this year's Okehampton Show failed to dampen the spirits of members from the Harness Goat Society.

Harness Goat Society members exhibit at many shows throughout the country during show season and preparing for a large show like Okehampton's can take many weeks of hard work.

Marion White, from Beaworthy, had invested countless hours of work training her goats, making costumes and preparing for their big day in the spotlight.

She was devastated to learn the show had been cancelled — but Harness Goat Society members are made of stern stuff and carried on with their own show despite of the weather conditions.

Marion, who has been rescuing goats for more than 30 years, said: 'It was very disheartening for the society members to hear the show had been cancelled due to the horrendous weather conditions.

'So to lift the spirits on such a damp day the members of the society who had travelled down joined in their own Harness Goat Society Day — we weren't going to give in.'

The event saw everyone who took part dress up in costumes Marion had especially made and designed, while enjoying an afternoon with the goats at her farmhouse.

Marion's ambition is to eventually be able to use her goats to pull carriages at weddings.

Goats have been used as harness for more than 4,000 years and can carry up to 25% of their own body weight.

The Harness Goat Society, established in 1986, aims to maintain and improve the standard, care and well being of harness goats as well as acting as a formal body to educate, train and inform people about harness goats.

Further information about the society is available from their website http://www.harnessgoats.co.uk">www.harnessgoats.co.uk

l And there was still some cause for celebration despite the cancellation of this year's Okehampton Show.

On the day the show was cancelled, Okehampton WI was presented with a silver rose bowl for winning the Night at the Movies competition.

Their entry, Santa Claus — The Movie, was complete with reindeer, sledge and Father Christmas (pictured left).

The entries were all staged the day before the show and, just as the staging was completed, word was received that the show had been cancelled.

However, as the WI judges were already on site it was decided to go ahead with judging the nine entries and exhibits.

Sally Wilson, DFWI chairman, presented the cup to Carol Adams of Okehampton WI and said it was the first time she'd ever presented a cup in her wellington boots!