MORE than 90,000 visitors flocked to the Devon County Show, held last Thursday to Saturday.

Show chairman, David Parish, said that that the event had risen to the challenges posed by weather and economics with flying colours: “Everyone connected with the show — our sponsors, our livestock exhibitors, our trade stand holders, our army of volunteers — has pulled together to put on a great event, and I hope and believe that our tens of thousands of visitors have had a great time.

“The fact that the car parks stood up so well to the rain on Saturday shows that all of the lessons of the last day cancellation of 2014 have been learned and applied.

“It has been Devon at its best, and the Devon County Show at its best.”

Lady Arran, the president of the Devon County Agricultural Association which runs the Show, praised the 400-strong team of volunteers behind the county’s largest annual event and added: “It is so important that the show portrays itself in the way it does. I hope the show continues to be a beacon for Devon; it’s such an important way of being able to show what a beautiful county we live in and how very diversified it is and how very special it is and why we all love living here.”

Devon farmers turned out in strength over the three days, drawn not just by the usual superb array of livestock and more agricultural trade stands than ever, but by the most impressive turnout of agricultural politicians seen at any show for many years.

The EU Agriculture Commissioner, Phil Hogan, the current and immediate past Defra Secretaries of State, Liz Truss and Owen Paterson, and the Presidents of both the NFU and the CLA, were all there, to debate the agricultural pros and cons of the Brexit referendum, and other key farming issues.

Nick Creasy, YFC county organiser for Devon, told the Post he was particularly pleased that Young Farmers had the chance to meet and talk to politicians and businesspeople: “The Young Farmers have had a really good opportunity to speak to MPs, MEPs, presidents and chief executives of national companies and organisations. They have been able to have a real impact. We particularly enjoyed visits from Lord Plumb, Lady Arran, Meurig Raymond, the NFU president, and all the other VIPs.

“Thursday and Friday have been really good days even though we are in challenging times with commodity prices.

“I think the thing that’s been really positive this year is the amount of farmers and farming families that have come in on the first two days — and we always look forward to Saturday and showing off to the more general public what farming life is all about.

“The Tarka region and clubs from North Devon and West Devon have had a good level of entries — we have seen competing in pretty much all the sections. “

Chairman of Clawton Young Farmers’ Club, Gareth Hutchings, said the club did well, and their cubicle entry came 11th out of 31, with individual members picking up a range of firsts, seconds and thirds in other classes.

Mr Hutchings said: “It’s been a good show. I think it’s been successful, the tent always seems to be full — it’s nice to see lots of people looking around and seeing what a good job we can do.”

Staff from Lifton Farm Shop, off the back of winning a Taste of the West Award, were pleased to receive a silver gilt of their huge depiction of the ‘Hungry Caterpillar’, as well as a gold award for its public catering at the show.

Adam Mounce, of Lifton Farm Shop, said of winning silver gilt: “I haven’t actually spoken to the judges yet but everybody’s liking it. When we finish one we have got to start thinking of the next one right after — it’s a bit of a joint effort — mum’s [Jo Mounce] got a good imagination! We all have an input into it.”

Also seeing success were members of the Holsworthy Beekeepers, with individuals entering into the honey show.

Andy Sluggett, from Bradworthy, who has kept bees for around 25 years, entered around 20 classes, picking up a range of prizes for his light, medium and dark honey. His six ornamental wax ornaments picked up first prize, but Mr Sluggett said it took him six attempts to get the ornaments out of the mould, adding: “I kept breaking the arms and legs off!”

Entries in the floral section were up on last year, reported chief steward Ann Trigg, who added: “And I think the general opinion is the standard is higher.” Winners included Judith Taylor of Launceston Floral Art, who picked up a first prize for an Emerald Isle exhibit and a highly commended for an Earth’s Core exhibit.

In the livestock lines, Michael and Melanie Alford, of Cullompton, repeated their 2015 triumph, by winning the Champion Beef Animal, this time with their Limousin yearling bull, Foxhill Lord of the Rings. A Charolais heifer, shown by Cornish breeder Rob Tremayne was reserve beef champion.

There was more Cornish success in the dairy interbreeds, with J, M and C Colwell’s six year old Jersey cow Quintrell Comerica Brunette carrying off the trophy for Champion Dairy Animal, with the Reserve going to a Holstein heifer, Kingston Magna Aftershock Blomke, shown by Miss H Hinks and Mr S Skipper of Dorset.

Supreme Champion Pig was won for for the second year in succession by Mr J and Miss A Newth of Shepton Mallet, this time with their three year old British Saddleback boar, Prestcombe Golden Arrow 15.

The winner of the Supreme Champion Sheep will be announced in due course, following a review of the initial judge’s decision.