By David Routy, Chairman of Camelford Show

The 110th Camelford Show will again be held at Halwill Barton, courtesy of the Sanders family. Sandwiched between the sea and Bodmin Moor, the site captures the character of our diverse area and, having the run of 50 acres, it makes a great showfield.

As with all organisations, a loyal band of workers is essential. Camelford Show is lucky to have such an extensive and skilled range of volunteers, along with a good working committee.

Attractions in this year’s Entertainment Ring feature the ‘4x4 Flyball Dog Team’ and carriage driving, as well as popular regulars; children’s sports in the middle of the day, the livestock Grand Parade and a Vintage Machinery Parade.

The Pet Dog Show judging commences at 12.30pm with entries taken on the day. Whether you have a canine member of the family to bring along or just find doggy antics fascinating, it’s bound to be fun.

Another great draw is the Sheep Shearing Competition. A real farm skill that becomes surprisingly competitive, particularly when the crowd are backing one shearer over another!

Horticulture and Handicrafts share a tent and are always worth a browse. This has the feel of a standalone village show, with a fabulous standard throughout.

The Food Hall and Craft Marquee are a great window into our rural economy with a terrific range of produce for sale and for the avian minded, the poultry tent will, yet again, be bulging at the seams.

Horses have always been a major part of our heritage and include Fun Pony classes.

These include ’best combination’ in various age groups and a local mare/gelding class with under 18 rider.

From the gentle giants of the heavy horses, to the in-hand classes, the native breeds and ridden show ponies to the jumping classes, the horse section is always busy.

As Camelford is Cornwall’s last one-day show of the summer season, the cattle and sheep exhibitors will be especially alert.

Just a few years ago, the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association introduced a ’summer show points championship’, which means if two (or more) exhibitors have accumulated similar points over other shows in the county Camelford results could be the decider!

The beef cattle section also has some new classes, including pairs in both the Red Ruby Devon and the South Devon breeds — as well as the broad titled ’best group of three beef cattle’. That’ll test the judge!

But maybe not as keenly as the Young Stockman’s Championship, where junior handlers from both the sheep and cattle sections go head to head. This is such a novel class, we may be the only show running such a competition.

On behalf of Camelford Show, I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to our 2016 president Mr Mike Bromell. Mike and his family have been long standing and hardworking members of the committee. We wish him, Joan and his family a wonderful show.

Which leads me nicely onto young farmers. Camelford YFC will be in attendance, as usual. Something hilarious always happens in or around their marquee. Join us on Wednesday 10th to see what happens this year.