HATS off to the organiser of this year's Okehampton Show who made the bold decision to go ahead with the event, despite the ravages of a wet summer.

With shows such as North Devon, Launceston, Camelford forced to cancel due to the elements and postponements at Honiton and Totnes, it was perhaps more important for the farming community to have 'a day in the sun' and enjoy this celebration of all things rural. They certainly did at Stoney Park for the 105th Okehampton Show — often cited as the best one-day show in the South West.

With record entries of 1,100 sheep and 400 cattle, and healthy numbers in the pigs, goat and horse section, livestock were well represented.

With a grand parade of livestock, a craft hall, Devon Food Hall, Victor Pitts sheepdog display, parade of hounds, terrier racing, Andrei Burton cycling events team, Cogs and Wheels/Tinners, Morris Dancers, OCRA sports, Plough Boy Jazz Band, North Devon Gun Dogs, tug-of-war, Haldon YFC Group rally, open WI classes and so much more, it really was a show to appeal to all tastes and ages.

At its opening this year's president Philip Davies took the opportunity to stress that as farming is an essential primary industry it is essential that farmers' skills are passed on to a younger generation to build and improve upon.

Mr Davies, a veterinary surgeon, associated for many years with the show, said: 'We have seen farmers demonstrating their outrage in numbers at a local dairy that has resulted in a better farm price and this spirit of working together is something to build upon for the future.

'We need to carry on banging the drum for local produce to be consumed locally but we should also be proud to market our brand outside the region — agricultural produce of highest quality from the fringes of Devon — something to be proud of.'

Mr Davies was very indebted to a large group of people who are responsible for the staging of the show.

'First and foremost' to show chairman John Hockridge and vice-chairman Roger Alford.

The president said: 'They have shown spirit and vision and hard work to build the show up to the fantastic spectacle you see today. Thanks are also due to the show secretary, Claire Woodword, for stitching together this highly complex event so successfully.

'There are also a small army of directors, section secretaries, stewards and many other volunteers that I would like to say thank you on their behalf. They have worked not just for today but over many hours and many months to co-ordinate the entries we see today. Well done, all of you.'

Claire Woodward was relieved that they had managed to stage the annual event at all.

She told the Times: 'We are very lucky to be going ahead today as it was very much touch and go because of the weather. Thank you to the general public for bearing with us, especially over having to change from our normal car parking fields as we had some difficulties with them. Obviously, because of the weather we have to do the best with the ground we have.

'As for entries, we have had a very good livestock entry, a very good open section, relatively good in terms of trade stands and machinery ones in particular.

'All in all, with so many agricultural shows being either postponed or cancelled in the region altogether over the last few weeks it is a great relief that Okehampton Show has gone ahead and continues to be a great day out for everyone and one that means so mean to the whole community.'