DESPITE the unrelenting rain, visitors to last Thursday's Launc­eston Agricultural Show were determined to make the most of all the annual event had to offer.

Decked out in wellies and waterproofs, show goers wandered around the Kennards House site enjoying all the competitions, exhibitions and entertainment.

Show secretary Jill Stevenson said: "The gate has been very busy, we've not noticed a decline in numbers even though the weather has not been very kind."

Jill was also "delighted" with this year's livestock numbers. With 250 horses, 250 sheep and 130 cattle (the highest since foot and mouth), Jill said: "The livestock entries have been fantastic. We're thrilled to bits."

There were 140 trade stands, filling the site, and the arts and crafts tent, organised this year for the first time by Jill's daughter Fiona, was also full.

During the show, a surprise presentation was made to two members of the Launceston Agricul­tural Association who have both given 60 years of service to the show.

Vice chairman Leslie Vanstone said Douglas Brookham and John Vanstone, both past presidents, had "been stalwart volunteer workers for the show for the last 60 years."

APPRECIATIVE

Mr Vanstone continued: "They not only spend today here but spend the week previous, every year, helping to get things ready. We're always appreciative of their knowledge of show organisation through the years."

Long service certificates are normally only presented to members of the community, however, Mr Vanstone said: "We don't usually award ourselves anything but on this particular occasion we felt it was quite a milestone."

Also during the show, long service certificates were presented to David and George Sampson who have given 25 years and 38 years service respectively at Werrington Park.

Local schools were invited to perform in the show theatre tent this year including South Petherwin who got show goers to 'wake up and shake up' and Tregadillett School who performed an impressive dance routine to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'.

Altarnun swept the floor in the WI marquee, picking up the trophy for the best display and the Jubilee Cup for 'best overall'. For the fourth year, Altarnun member Di Pettemerides won the shield for the most points gained in the individual classes.

Altarnun member and secretary of the WI show committee, Mrs Chris Evans said: "We did have a very good day this time. It's the first time we've ever done that."

There were 250 entries in the individual classes which was "very good," said Mrs Evans. On the whole she felt the day had gone "very, very well."

For the first time, visitors to the Flower Exhibition tent could vote for their favourite design. Mandy Uglow said: "Quite often people don't agree with the judge, they see details differently, so it's nice. The children have taken a great interest in doing that because they have their favourites."

The winning design was Cliff Brown's tranquillity display.

Chairman Janet Cross­man was "very pleased" to win the trophy for the most points gained at the show as she said it takes a lot of work putting the displays together and to come up with ideas for the classes.

Janet is a member of the Launceston Floral Art group which meets on the first Tuesday of the month at the Eagle House Hotel, Launceston. She said: "We'd love to have more members."

In their tent, the Launceston Young Farmers were showing a recording of their pantomime 'Daisy Saves the Day' which they reached the county final with.

Also on display was the club's 'climate change' cubicle which was entered in this year's Royal Cornwall Show.

Attending the show for the first time were John and Mandy Allen from the Tamar Otter and Wildlife Centre at North Petherwin. They were accompanied by 'Biggy' and 'Smally', two 20 month old short clawed otters from the centre, who proved very popular with show goers.

John and Mandy took over the centre three years ago. They currently have 22 otters including a seven month old and a five month old cub. Mandy said they were currently hand rearing a seven week old cub which was brought into them from the wild.

Attending the show for the first time as Mayor, Cllr Paul O'Brien said: "The weather is an absolute pain but you go around and just keep your ears open and people are chattering away just ignoring it and getting on enjoying themselves, en­joying meeting friends."

It was the first show of the year for Richard Parsons of Otterham Station, Camelford whose five year old holstein 'Mabec Outside America' was named the overall dairy champion. Mr Parsons, who will be attending Camelford Show next month, said it was a "good start!"

CHAMPION

The overall beef champion was won by Mr R Rundle of Newquay and the overall sheep champion went to Putford farmer Rob Harris.

Paul Cook, owner of C&G Catering, catered for the President's lunch of fifty judges, stewards and guests for the Launceston Agricultural Association. Despite the continuous rain that was cast over the show, Mr Cook cheerfully stated that they had "had worse conditions."

Mr Cook caters for the show most years and has a stand alongside selling unusual meat delicacies including ostrich, kangaroo, chocolate ants and scorpions, worm crisps, and zebra and crocodile, all of which he also sells at Glastonbury Festival each year.

The cold buffet he provided had a range of dishes including coronation chicken, salt beef, ham, a large selection of salad dishes and apple pie and cream for dessert.

He said: "It's good to keep traditions alive."

President Chris Elliott said it was "wonderful" to see so many people at the show. He added: "We've had a brilliant day, you can't do anything about the weather."

He added: "The agricultural world still come. I just feel sorry for the people on holiday."

During the lunch, show chairman Robert Tucker announced that, due to the poor weather conditions, they had no choice but to cancel the grand parade and donkey derby.

North Cornwall MP Dan Rogerson praised show goers for supporting the event: "It's been lovely. It's the people and all the show entries that make it. You can't always count on the weather.

"The association have put on a lovely show and people come out to support it which is great."