Over 400 people attended the 2008 Holsworthy and Stratton Winter Fair at Holsworthy Livestock Market last Thursday. There were over 75 outstanding show cattle and 350 show lambs from exhibitors from all over Torridge and as far away as Highbridge in Somerset and Cambourne in Cornwall.

The old Fatstock Show was revamped two years ago under the Chairman­ship of Torridge District Council Leader James Morrish to include a two-night celebration of local farming in the Holsworthy and Stratton areas, the first night being the show and the second night a dinner/dance for the official presentation of the awards.

Exhibitors competed for a whole array of cups and silverware as well as over £3,500 in prize money put up by local businesses with connections to the agricultural industry.

Beef Classes judge Joanne Richards from Truro had some outstanding steers and heifers brought before her and awarded the Supreme Championship to Brad­worthy farmer James Melville, whose Limou­sin Cross Steer was later sold at auction by David Kivell for £1,781 (£2.95/kilo) to Parkham and Bideford based butcher George Honey.

Brandis Corner farmers Shirley Griffiths and family won the Supreme Championship in a fantastic line-up of sheep. Their pen of five Charollais cross lambs not only won a whole mass of cups and awards, but also fetched the highest price seen for a long time at Holsworthy Livestock Market of £100/head.

They were bought by Mr Arthur Cleave for West Devon Meat Ltd of Hatherleigh. Michael Alford of Stillmans Ltd of Taunton judged the sheep class and also purchased a large number of the lambs under auction.

Sadly this year's Show President Cllr Des Shadrick was unable to attend. However, fellow Torridge District Counci­llors Richard Brown (Holsworthy) and Barry Parsons (Forest) were delighted to be there. Cllr Brown presented the award for Best Exhibit in the Sheep Class to Shirley Griffiths.

Torridge District Council Leader James Morrish, who compered the cattle exhibition competitions, said: "In Torridge the farming and rural communities are very important to us. We stand alone in England as the only district council that has agriculture as its biggest economic driver and largest employer.

"I am delighted to see the Championship in both sheep and cattle going to local breeders who support the Livestock Market here 52 weeks a year. It was a superb evening."

The presentations of the awards and the dinner/dance was held at the Falcon Hotel, Bude where exhibitors, guests and sponsors then raised £1,500 for the Children's Hospice South West in a charity auction.