Devon County Show

Showtime!

The Devon Show bravely stepped out as the first of 2021’s major county shows to happen in “the real world” - showcasing the very best of Devon farming. Charles Abel was there.

BEST OF DEVON

A healthy attendance ensured a great atmosphere, with competitive livestock judging and a tremendous community spirit. Pre-bookings were up 600% - helping offset losses from 2020’s cancelled event and hopefully heralding an end to pandemic misery for rural folk. Richard Maunder, Farmers Club Honorary Treasurer and Chief Executive of Devon County Agricultural Association dubbed the event “the most challenging Show we have ever put on”. Small businesses had suffered badly, people were still on furlough, staff numbers had been cut. But the Show team still managed to recruit 500 trade stands - average for a normal year but splendid in the circumstances. The event is said to add £10m to the local economy.

CLUB RECEPTION

Farmers Club members and guests met in the YFC Pavilion for drinks, canapes and an up-beat look to a brighter postcovid future from 2020 Club Chairman Allan Stevenson (above right) and Devon Agricultural Association President David Fursdon. “Covid has forced us to do some things differently this year, and some of those things might be good to do again,” Mr Fursdon commented. “We are facing a time of great change. It’s difficult to work out where farm income streams are coming from, but we’ve adapted before, so we need to stay flexible and identify and change our businesses accordingly. And the most genial place to discuss such things? That must surely be The Farmers Club Bar!”

WORLD RECORD

Boosting charity income after so many fundraisers were cancelled in the past 18 months is a big challenge. In its 20th year Addington Fund’s answer was to bring out the bunting – 14 kilometers of it! The brain-child of Devonbased Deborah Custance-Baker the 79,001 colourful woolen flags were crafted by knitters across the UK and beyond, securing a place in the Guinness Book of Records, coverage on BBC and ITV and a potential funding boost of £50,000. Grab your share for £5/m www.addingtonfund.org.uk

BLUE LIGHTS TRACTOR!

This Claas Atos 350 sporting police livery highlighted a shift in focus for Devon and Cornwall Police, the largest force in England, making rural crime a priority. Rising levels of poaching, hare coursing, dog fighting, cock fights and rural theft demanded a more visible presence from the rural affairs team. Two new Rural Affairs Police Officers, supported by a Specialist Problem Solver and Rural Special Constables, provide a dedicated resource to engage with rural communities. Advice, equipment tagging, more security and more two-way communication is the aim.

“DEVON DOES

IT BEST”

Moving YFC activities on-line during the pandemic helped maintain membership, says Devon YFC Chairman Matt Darke (above left). That included on-line stock judging using videos and photos! A vibrant marquee at the Devon County Show testified to pent-up demand for a return to face-to-face activities. But Zoom has become a powerful tool, enhancing national planning and securing a slot for YFC to brief Defra every three weeks, explained National YFC Deputy Chairman Rosie Bennett, from Honiton in Devon (right).

125 YEAR CELEBRATION

Devon County Agricultural Association’s first Show at Victoria Park, Exeter on 23 and 24 May 1872 experienced a torrential downpour, almost literally washing the President’s lunch guests away. Nonetheless over 25,000 people admired 500 livestock and 800-plus machinery exhibits. The show went on to visit 16 different venues, from Axminster to Bideford, before show legend John Hocken engineered a move to Whipton in 1956. Today’s WestPoint venue near Exeter was acquired in 1990 and typically attracts over 90,000 visitors.