by Alan Quick

THE Mid Devon Show, not so long ago voted the Best One Day Show in the UK, lived up to its reputation and staged a fine show, despite it being muddy in some avenues, leading it to be dubbed the Mud Devon Show.

Heavy rain the day before caused difficulties for exhibitors gaining access the day before but drying conditions throughout the day of the Show and remedial action by volunteers helped to dry out the ground at the Knightshayes/Chettiscombe site.

Show visitors had to be careful where they walked in some avenues but most were clear and straw was laid in some muddy areas to help visitors walk across.

The Show offered the chance to experience a true celebration of rural Mid Devon with an eclectic mix of breathtaking entertainment, food, shopping, music, horticulture and farm life.

There was a large livestock entry of cattle, sheep, pigs, pygmy goats and cavies all competing for top prizes.

Farming practice demonstrations proved popular and in the Countryside Area there was falconry, gun dogs and the Devon Wild Fowlers as well as an Exmoor Pony display, a fly casting demonstration and the ever-popular ferret racing and owls display.

Headlining in the main ring was the impressive MotoStunts International Stunt team, the Pony Club games, private driving, the Young Farmers’ competition, heavy horses, the parade of hounds and grand parade of livestock.

The Music and Dance pavilion provided lots of entertainment and there was even a fairground, bouncy castle and Kyrton Archers offering visitors the chance to have-a-go at archery.

The much-praised Poppy Display, which was such a success at the Devon County Show, was highly praised.

There was a wide variety of craft and trade stands.

The Show president was the Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally and her show charity, which was collecting during the day was Devon Communities Together, the community development organisation which helps communities to help themselves.