FINE weather encouraged a good turnout at the 64th Ashwater Agricultural Show on Saturday.

The show was well supported with cattle and sheep entries, including an array of beautifully turned out stock, while 19 farmers of the future, demonstrated their excellent skills in the young handlers’ classes.

Family pets had their moment under the spotlight in the fur and feather classes and family fun dog show. A beautiful selection of Guinea pigs, chickens and even geese were on show while numerous dogs took part in a variety of classes, including a fun agility and novelty classes run in aid of Lakeland Trialhound Welfare.

The morning saw strong competition in the horse, pony and novelty classes, while children enjoyed taking part in the gymkhana. The horse events were rounded off in the afternoon with show jumping competitions.

The show was officially opened by the president, John Bone, accompanied by his wife, Helen, both of whom have a long association with the event.

A parade of vintage tractors took place in the main ring where Mr and Mrs Bone awarded ‘President’s choice award’, sponsored by Pat May Drainage and Groundworks, to a 1936 Standard Fordson owned by John Butt from the South Molton area. This was followed by a parade of the South Tetcott Hunt hounds.

Visitors were treated to lively entertainment from Ashwater Primary School Steel Band, a children’s entertainer, bouncy castle, ferret racing and had the opportunity to test their skills building a tower out of milk crates. All aspects of the community were involved, with the primary school providing face painting and fun activities while the community shop ran a children’s bake off.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.