Kingsbridge Show doesn’t just give prizes to the best livestock and the biggest vegetable, the trade stands also compete to be the best in show.
Kingsbridge Show chair Apple Taylor said: “The trade stands are a big part of the show and visitors can expect an eclectic mix of quality products from near and far to take home - in fact anything from a china mug to a tractor, a piece of art to a top of the range double cab car.
“Every year, a hearty silver cup is awarded to the best agricultural and non agricultural stands and this is considered a real coup by the traders!”
The chair and president of the show are tasked with touring the stands and choosing the most deserving winners.
After much deliberation, the best agricultural stand went to MST, a specialist land machinery outfit based at Mid and South Devon. ’Something for everyone’ was a major factor in choosing them as they brought a wide range of products from chainsaws to lawnmowers right up to a shiny new tractor.
Apple continued: “When the judging party arrived, there were several excitable children enjoying a seat on these static vehicles - a real treat for our smaller visitors! Everything was professionally displayed and the stand at MST seemed open and friendly, offering teas also for weary folk.
“Ground care sales team Darryl Banks, Keith Willcocks and Sarah Churchward were really thrilled with their prestigious cup and the judging team were more than happy to pose with some of their products!”
The Non Agricultural cup went to South Hams based estate agents Marchand Petit. They wowed the judges with their country and waterside themed stand which included straw bale walls interplanted with coastal grasses and reeds, a boat and a giant turtle which had been made by local children as part of a ’Sea Sense’ exhibition.
They also had an open and sizeable hospitality area for those who needed a glass of fizz to cope with the days exertions. An arbour swing seat created by Wayne and Amy Cocker of South Hams Fencing and Landscaping was a “lovely finishing touch” to a stall who really made an “enormous effort to bring some down to earth country class to the show”.
Apple said: “Jane Summers and Gordon Maunder of Marchand Petit were very happy to receive their new silverware after all their hard work - is this the beginning of the ’show garden’ at Kingsbridge Show? Now there’s an idea... !”
Kingsbridge Show wishes to thank all the dedicated traders for bringing their brilliant wares and looks forward to welcoming them again next year.