THIS year, I attended both the Okehampton Show and the Chagford Show for the first time.

What events I had missed in the past!

I was so impressed by the organisation of both the shows and the range of things to see and do.

Despite this summer not enjoying the best of weather, the less than sunny conditions didn’t spoil what turned out to be two incredible days of entertainment for my family and I.

Local events like this take a huge amount of work to organise and I have to take my hat off to the commitment of those that undertake the roles.

Co-ordinating any large scale event is a task and a half, but when you add in hundreds of animals, of all different sizes and with differing requirements, the job must suddenly gain daunting proportions.

Both the committees behind both of these great local events must certainly be congratulated on the success of the shows. It was nice to see the shows so well reflected in the local paper too.

I know one thing — next year’s show dates will definitely be entered in my diary for next year!

Peter Hopkins

Okehampton