THANKS were extended to everyone who visited and supported the 65th Ashwater Agricultural Show, on Saturday, August 20, presided over by Mr Derek Banbury, president for 2016 with his wife Linda.

Despite falling on the worst day of the week, with the high winds and short sharp showers, the show was well supported.

There was an array of beautifully turned out stock in the cattle and sheep classes, while 17 farmers of the future demonstrated their excellent skills in the ‘young handler’s’ classes.

Family pets, including guinea pigs and chickens, were showcased in the ‘Fur and Feather’ tent, while numerous dogs took part in the family fun dog show, which this year included fun agility and novelty classes — run in aid of Lakeland Trailhound Welfare.

Horse classes commenced bright and earlier, with a good number of entries. 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 Mr Banbury at 1pm, following a parade of vintage tractors in the main ring, where Mr and Mrs Banbury awarded ‘President’s choice award‘, sponsored by Pat May Drainage and Groundworks to a beautiful 1974 Massey Ferguson 188, owned by John Tribble from Bradford.

The 1974 Massey Ferguson 188 has done over 12,000 hours and was chosen as it was in complete original condition. A parade of the South Tetcott Hunt hounds followed.

The show was held in conjunction with Ashwater Horticultural Show, where people from across the parish demonstrated their skills in a range of classes from flower arranging to homemade preserves.

The craft tent was bursting at the seams with a showcase of local products, with various village organisations represented, including the church, the PTA with a cake stand and the Community Shop showcasing their goods and bringing out the village stocks to raise funds.

The daytime events were rounded off with a sponsored haircut, in which the chairman’s wife, Vikki Moon, had 14 inches cut off her hair to donate to the Little Princess Trust — who make and provide wigs at no charge, for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.

Over £500 has been raised for the charity and anyone wishing to donate towards this excellent cause can visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/vikki-moon.

In the evening everyone let their own hair down with the after show party, packed with locals and supporters for a great community get-together, dancing to ‘JJ and the Sixes’ and a disco.

A spokesperson for the show said: “The committee would like to reiterate its sincere thanks to all our sponsors, judges, programme advertisers and donors for their generous support of this year’s show as well as to our president, Mr Derek Banbury for carrying out his role admirably.

“Thanks also to Holsworthy Army Cadet Force for their hard work again this year with various activities throughout the day.

“In addition the chairman, Mr Paul Moon, would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved, the members of the committee and all those non-members, family and friends who also generously gave their time to make the show a success, helping in preparation, setting up, fetching and carrying, selling dance tickets, lending equipment, providing refreshments, running bars, parking cars, cutting verges and hedges leading to the show ground, as well as clearing up afterwards!

“Finally a very big thank you to everyone who came and supported the show on the day, entered classes and took part in activities!

“Without the help and support of so many people the show would not be possible.”

The committee also extended thanks to all those who sponsored classes.