VIDEO: Sheep, Dogs, Cogs & Wheels on Display at the Uffculme Sheep Show

THE SUN shone down on one of the first agricultural shows of

the year on Monday, when the Exe Valley Rotary Club hosted the Uffculme Sheep

Show.

The day featured a packed schedule of main ring displays,

rides, classic cars, a dog show, and new for this year, a welly throwing

competition.

Visitors and organisers at the event on May 3 say it wasn’t

a BAAd way to spend the bank holiday, with over £6,000 being raised for the

club’s chosen charities.

Exe Valley Rotary Club’s president, Colin Constable said: “It’s

a great success, we were worried about the weather, but the gods have looked

after us.

“We started preparing for it nine months ago, to get the

classic cars, stalls and the event off the ground. This is the seventh year the club has organised the event. It takes a lot of

work and we are an ideal body to do it.”

Main ring attractions included Honiton Majorettes, displays

from the Devon Army Cadet Force, and a falconry display. Musical talent could be

heard in abundance with the George Formby Ukelele Society , Cogs and Wheels, and

13 year old Lance Lloyd Trevelyn’s playing the Shadows on his guitar.

Lance said: “I’m very grateful to have this opportunity to

play here; I hope everyone enjoys them I’ve been playing them and having a good

time.

“I’ve been playing for four years, and today I’ve had a

couple of gigs booked – it’s been a really good day.”

Peter Palmer from the George Formby Society added: “We

perform all around the South West and do a lot of charity work. We enjoy what

we do and call ourselves ukulele crazy.

“This is a nice show and we’ve done it every year. Today is

smashing, we’ve been here when the weather is not so nice, but today is really

nice. We’re having a good time and so are the visitors.”

Outside the main arena, dogs from all over the county came

to try and stake their claim for first prize in competitions such as the

prettiest dog and loudest bark.

Jess the Cocker Spaniel won the waggiest tail. Her

owner Tony Cottrell said: “She just wags her tail and is just a happy little

dog. She’s won five out of five events so she knows her job.”

At the far end of the field sheep judging took place

throughout the day on a selection of rare breeds. The judges awarded best in

show to the Hampshire Downs from Craigend Farm near Taunton. Sheep owner Julie Nagle said: “It’s

been fantastic. A lot of hard work through the winter has paid off.

“We’re delighted. The trick is perseverance. I’m not quite

sure how I’ll celebrate, but I think it’ll involve champagne.

“We’ll certainly be back next year, it’s been a great day

and it’s a good show.”