A MISTY morning soon cleared and the sun shone for the crowds of people who went along to the 109th Okehampton and District Agricultural Show.

Held in the foothills of Dartmoor on the Stoney Park showground, all those attending enjoyed a fantastic day out where they could watch livestock competitions, a full main ring programme of entertainment or just visit the wealth of trade and exhibitor stands.

There was show jumping, sheep shearing, crafts and produce, ferret racing, sheepdog displays, a hound parade, vintage vehicles, carriage driving, terrier racing, dog show, morris dancing, tug of war, mounted Pony Club games, heavy horses and side saddle classes.

The food and drink hall marquee was busy with customers and there were also plenty of other marquees to visit including the honey show, YFC classes, crafts and entertainment.

The open classes saw very good entries with a high standard of exhibits.

Livestock took centre stage at the show and local exhibitors fared particularly well.

Mark Evans from Honiton, formerly Hittisleigh, was the winner of the supreme championship with his Ayrshire cow East Church Ristourns Nowaday.

The fourth calver is one of the family’s 280-strong organic herd.

Peter Heard from Okehampton won male and supreme champion with his Blue Faced Leicester shearling ram.

Female and reserve supreme champion was a Texel ewe owned by Paul Quick from Zeal Monachorum.

Jeff and Lorraine Dunn, from Highridge British Blues based at South Tawton near Okehampton, won supreme champion pair with bull Highridge Blues KWD and heifer Highridge Blues Kazia.

Show secretary Claire Woodward said that it was a “great day”.

She thanked everyone who attended, the judges, stewards, exhibitors, commentated, volunteered, provided equipment and as she added: “Made Okehampton Show such a brilliant day - thank you all.”

She said there was a great atmosphere and that there were more than 1,000 entries in the sheep classes and good cattle entries with good entries also in the horse classes.

Alan Quick