Best of livestock, produce and crafts recognised at Liskeard show

LISKEARD’S popular annual Prime Stock Show celebrated its 105th meeting with livestock, produce and creative entries.

Held on Saturday, October 31, the show featured displays at Liskeard Public Hall covering floral art, handicrafts, photography, cookery and art. The Halloween and autumn theme featured in pumpkin-carving classes, with entries ranging from scary faces to animal shapes.

Livestock judging took place in the morning, with cattle, sheep and forage exhibits at Calweton Training Centre in Merrymeet, by kind permission of Calweton Farm Vets. The event also gave farmers an opportunity to share experiences during difficult times for the sector.

At the afternoon prize-giving, Jane Pascoe spoke on behalf of chairman Mervyn Rowe, thanking Elaine Crabb, Emma Tamblyn and the committee for organising the classes and exhibits. She praised the judges and exhibitors for their support and encouraged people to prepare handicrafts for next year’s 106th fair, saying standards and entry numbers continued to grow.

President Phil Dymond thanked the committee, public and sponsors, whose contributions were essential to staging the event. He said he had enjoyed the day and praised the livestock and entries at the Public Hall.

Mr Dymond presented the cups and trophies.

Sylvia Andrews won the Perpetual Handicraft Cup for cookery, the Domestic Perpetual Cup and the Molly Bersey Perpetual Honey Cup. Mary Symons received the Mavis Heller Floral Art Perpetual Cup, while Will Haddy won the Sears-Peel Perpetual Shield for the novice floral art class. Sylvia Berry took the Perpetual Handicraft Cup for handicrafts, and Tim Hancock won the Rob Frost Trophy for photography. Liskeard WI received the Mrs RAG Travers Silver Challenge Cup for best WI exhibit.

In the YFC classes, Avril Crabb of Landrake YFC won the Terry Heller Perpetual Cup for domestic classes, and Ben Mawby of Liskeard YFC took the Mrs Reg Hooper Cup for cookery. A C Medland received the Walter Ford Perpetual Wooden Spoon for best handicraft, while Landrake YFC won the Loveday Stephens Perpetual Shield for best YFC cubicle. Max Honarmand took the Bill Brenton Perpetual Challenge Cup for most points in the children’s and young adult classes.

Livestock presentations were held at Calweton Training Centre, with refreshments provided by Cornish Maids Kitchen.

N & E Bunkum won the Gordon Shepherd Perpetual Cup for champion cattle. O & C Penellum received the Peter Gillbard Perpetual Challenge Cup for reserve champion, A M C Eddy the J Carne & Son Cup for best heifer or steer, and Lenton & Rowe the Roskilly & Henwood Cup for best calf.

The sheep classes attracted strong support, including young handlers. Steve Stewart won the Creber Memorial Cup for overall champion, Charlotte Mitchell the Reg Hooper Perpetual Cup for best young handler, Millie Bersey the Bob Bersey Challenge Cup for best butcher lambs, and Louise Coates the Andrew Bunt Challenge Cup for best breeding ewe lambs.

Forage awards went to Tom Dymond, winner of the ICI Perpetual Forage Cup; MR and RJ Rowe, recipients of the WF Fertiliser Perpetual Cup and Rush Perpetual Challenge Tankard; and Alice Kitto, who won the Clive Mitchell & Son Perpetual Challenge Cup for YFC classes.

The president thanked cattle judge Mike Kirby, sheep judge Paul Calcraft and forage judge C Kessell.