THREE generations of a family from Davidstow have been showing sheep at the Camelford Show for more than 30 years.

The Cornelius family, headed by ‘Grampy’ Philip, have had involvement in the show for generations — whether showing their prize winning sheep or overseeing the business of the show as part of the committee.

Sons Stuart and Steven have proudly followed in their father’s footsteps, and have passed the tradition onto their daughters Lauren, Abigail and Stephanie, who were busy showing sheep at the show last Wednesday.

Also with them that day were the future generation hoped to continue the Cornelius family’s tradition, baby Rupert and Charlotte.

Stuart said: “I’ve been showing at the Camelford Show for 30 odd years. I’ve been involved with the show for longer.”

Asking about how the show has changed over time, he continued: “Now it’s come to the new site, it’s quite exposed and it’s allowed the show to double and develop.

“It’s a real community show, that’s why we love doing it. It’s one of the main shows we always come to, but I’ve always been involved with it behind the scenes too — I am a past chairman.

“A highlight for us is meeting all the different people, you get to meet up with all your friends and meet a lot of nice people when you come along to the show. It makes a fun day out if you want it to be!”

The Cornelius family had brought along a selection of their finest commercial sheep. At home they farm sheep including Jacobs, Texels, Devon and Cornwall Longwools, Scotch Blackface and Suffolks.

Stuart continued: “We’ve got Chagford tomorrow (last Thursday, August 15). We do the seven summer local shows and then the three main spring shows — including Devon County and Royal Cornwall — but it all started when we were very tiny, when father would take us to Tavi Fair. Today, we have three generations of our family here.”

Philip, who had been interrupted mid-pasty to speak to the Post, said: “I have been showing for many years, since the show was down Camelford in the football field. Many years ago my father put a few sheep down as commercial, and it started from there.

“We come every year. In recent years I come to see my family showing various breeds of sheep and I enjoy it, because if all the young ones don’t carry on the shows will die.”

As well as taking part in the local agricultural shows, the Cornelius family try to do their bit for the community, having done a lot for Tremail village chapel, as an example. Stuart added: “We try to get involved as a family.”

Philip added: “At home, I have a photograph of my father at an early show with a Scotch Blackface sheep — and that was during the time of the First World War!”

The family picked up a number of rosettes for their sheep at this year’s show, including two firsts with their Jacob ram and ram lamb, winning the champion rosette for this class.