IN a summer where the Bluetongue virus and a drought has ravaged the farming community of Devon and Cornwall, the Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show was an opportunity for both farmers and their prize stock to forget about their challenges and enjoy a day of traditional farming fun.

Presided over by Mrs Angela Blackman, the show’s president, it was a day that delivered on its promise with all involved joined by a healthy crowd of visitors to enjoy everything that the proud historic agricultural show had to offer.

Accompanied by the last hurrah from the long spell of sunshine before the weather turned in the days after the event, it was the perfect way to mark the end of a busy August of agricultural shows and events in style.

The opening ceremony of the 2026 Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show takes place (Picture: Rodney Parrish)Spectators at the show got to enjoy the spectacle of some hound racing (Picture: Rodney Parrish)In a summer ravaged by Bluetongue virus, it was an opportunity for prize stock to be on display (Picture: Rodney Parrish)Mrs Angela Blackman, the president of the show outside the President's tent (Picture: Rodney Parrish)A future farmer delighted with first prize (Picture: Rodney Parrish)Some of the finest animals from the surrounding area were on display (Picture: Rodney Parrish)Sheep on display at the Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)Wide smiles and sharp suits at the Kivells Stand (Picture: Rodney Parrish)One of the area's farming futures with the pride of the flock (Picture: Rodney Parrish)This youngster was delighted with her prize (Picture: Rodney Parrish)Prize winning animals at the Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)Live music on the stage at the Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)A striking floral display (Picture: Rodney Parrish)A perfectly turned out horse was among the winners at the Holsworthy and Stratton Show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)A trophy winning horse that stole the show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)Fun and games with the young farmers at the Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)This bike stunt display delighted spectactors (Picture: Rodney Parrish)The show's president Mrs Angela Blackman presenting some of the prizes (Picture: Rodney Parrish)Mrs Angela Blackman presenting a trophy for one of the prize winning bovines (Picture: Rodney Parrish)Another of the prizes on offer for the striking animals on show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)Mrs Angela Blackman, president, with a well decorated bovine (Picture: Rodney Parrish)This striking bovine was deserving of its prize (Picture: Rodney Parrish)This striking bovine was deserving of its prize (Picture: Rodney Parrish)A perfectly turned out show horse (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

The opening ceremony of the 2026 Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show takes place (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

Spectators at the show got to enjoy the spectacle of some hound racing (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

In a summer ravaged by Bluetongue virus, it was an opportunity for prize stock to be on display (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

Mrs Angela Blackman, the president of the show outside the President's tent (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

A future farmer delighted with first prize (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

Some of the finest animals from the surrounding area were on display (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

Sheep on display at the Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

Wide smiles and sharp suits at the Kivells Stand (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

One of the area's farming futures with the pride of the flock (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

This youngster was delighted with her prize (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

Prize winning animals at the Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

Live music on the stage at the Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

A striking floral display (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

A perfectly turned out horse was among the winners at the Holsworthy and Stratton Show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

A trophy winning horse that stole the show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

Fun and games with the young farmers at the Holsworthy and Stratton Agricultural Show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

This bike stunt display delighted spectactors (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

The show's president Mrs Angela Blackman presenting some of the prizes (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

Mrs Angela Blackman presenting a trophy for one of the prize winning bovines (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

Another of the prizes on offer for the striking animals on show (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

Mrs Angela Blackman, president, with a well decorated bovine (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

This striking bovine was deserving of its prize (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

This striking bovine was deserving of its prize (Picture: Rodney Parrish)

A perfectly turned out show horse (Picture: Rodney Parrish)