Well not in the London sense.
This being Devon and August usually means a combination of either rain or scorching heat but it all adds up to Okehampton Show, this year overcast but mild, just right.
There is so much to love about this rural agricultural show, centred as it is on our neighbouring market town, the town considered by many to be a bit down-market to Tavistock, even though it has a Waitrose and we have to put up with Morrisons and Lidl's. But Okehampton has its show and all Tavistock has to offer by comparison as a community event is the annual Goosey Fair which is no more community based than my Auntie Dot was the first woman to fly solo round the world. Much as we love Goosey Fair held on the second Wednesday in October, it's become a complete cash cow for the local council and a mecca for every cowboy and his goods from around the country.
Okehampton Show meanwhile has clung to its local agricultural heritage.
Men in white overalls lead bulls the size of Australia around the show ring, the judge strokes his chin (not the bull's in case of confusion)and ponders each one though heaven knows what he's looking for,
...how many rump steaks will you get out of that one versus that one?
...would that one kill you in five or would it take ten?
...what about the pedicure?
The winner is declared and everyone gets really excited but what is lovely is that these are local farming families, and even better it's the whole family. They all set up their gazebos along the cattle lines, tables and chairs and much feasting, grooming boxes on display with things for taking things out of hooves I presume, probably some bovine dental floss, you know the sort of thing you need to make your bull look his best.
The children take part too. Little people in white coats with their own animals to exhibit, doubtless the baton for the future of farming in this area will be passed onto them and slowly the festoons of rosettes gather around the eaves of the gazebos.
Then there's the sheep
and the pigs
and the goats...love the goats
and then the Fur & Feather tent, this chap knew he'd won first prize and was busy telling everyone who'd listen.
and the sheep shearing contest. This is Mike and he sheared seven in five minutes, that's going some. I got Shearer's Back just watching.
and the WI tent with installations redolent of ours, though slightly more refined talking of which ours made it into the pages of The Daily Telegraph (the site is down as I add that link, it'll be back eventually I hope)
and the rural craftsman, weaving bee skeps
Then we nipped back to see how our beefy lad had done, Champion.
This being Devon and August usually means a combination of either rain or scorching heat but it all adds up to Okehampton Show, this year overcast but mild, just right.
There is so much to love about this rural agricultural show, centred as it is on our neighbouring market town, the town considered by many to be a bit down-market to Tavistock, even though it has a Waitrose and we have to put up with Morrisons and Lidl's. But Okehampton has its show and all Tavistock has to offer by comparison as a community event is the annual Goosey Fair which is no more community based than my Auntie Dot was the first woman to fly solo round the world. Much as we love Goosey Fair held on the second Wednesday in October, it's become a complete cash cow for the local council and a mecca for every cowboy and his goods from around the country.
Okehampton Show meanwhile has clung to its local agricultural heritage.
Men in white overalls lead bulls the size of Australia around the show ring, the judge strokes his chin (not the bull's in case of confusion)and ponders each one though heaven knows what he's looking for,
...how many rump steaks will you get out of that one versus that one?
...would that one kill you in five or would it take ten?
...what about the pedicure?
The winner is declared and everyone gets really excited but what is lovely is that these are local farming families, and even better it's the whole family. They all set up their gazebos along the cattle lines, tables and chairs and much feasting, grooming boxes on display with things for taking things out of hooves I presume, probably some bovine dental floss, you know the sort of thing you need to make your bull look his best.
The children take part too. Little people in white coats with their own animals to exhibit, doubtless the baton for the future of farming in this area will be passed onto them and slowly the festoons of rosettes gather around the eaves of the gazebos.
Then there's the sheep
and the pigs
and the goats...love the goats
and then the Fur & Feather tent, this chap knew he'd won first prize and was busy telling everyone who'd listen.
and the sheep shearing contest. This is Mike and he sheared seven in five minutes, that's going some. I got Shearer's Back just watching.
and the WI tent with installations redolent of ours, though slightly more refined talking of which ours made it into the pages of The Daily Telegraph (the site is down as I add that link, it'll be back eventually I hope)
and the rural craftsman, weaving bee skeps
Then we nipped back to see how our beefy lad had done, Champion.
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