The Royal Bath & West Show was a fantastic celebration of all the best in food and farming. The quality of livestock was, as always, some of the finest that can be seen.

The heavy horses, both driven and in hand, brought back memories of times past.

The show organisers promised a great show, and that it was, with entertainment around every corner and something to interest everyone. Next year will be so very, very different when all that is on offer at present in four days reduces into three.

There was great success for some of our local competitors across many sections of the show. The next generation of farmers showed off their handling skills and beat off stiff competition. Heather Limond, from Writhlington, won the inaugural presentation of the Mike Tucker Memorial Dairy Showmanship Trophy. It was not an easy trip to the show for Heather. She took her last university exam on Thursday, and travelled that evening, but just thirty minutes from Chester, her car broke down. Her father, Andy, set off for the three hour journey to collect her – six hours later, the pair arrived back at the showground. Despite this setback, she won the showmanship class and the splendid glass trophy.

Second in the same showmanship class was Elissa Langley from Farmborough and her sister, Justina, in third place. In the first of the Calf Holstein classes, A. J. Langley’s Valebrook Upright Abigail was first, with Limond’s Clevian Chief Rowena second. A. J. Langley’s Valebrook Saloon Tina was placed first in the next class and went on to be reserve champion calf across the show. There was another first for the Langley’s herd with Valebrook Upright Bryony 1st. In the Breeds Show as Pairs, Andrew Limond’s Clevian Fitz Presse and Clevian Chief Rowena were placed first and then interbreed champions of the 2019 show.

Neil, Kim, and Laura Sales, from Midsomer Norton, took one Guernsey to the show, Avalon Fernando Linda, who won her class and was Reserve Breed Champion. They also won Reserve Exhibitor Bred and Cow with Best Udder and Best Heifer awards.

In the Holstein classes, D. B. & H. Miles from Witham Friary won two first places; Breed Champion and Exhibitor Bred. Caroline Huins, from Writhlington, won a second prize and Caroline, with Laura Sales, also won a second prize.

There is an art exhibition and local artist, David Beech, from Stoke St Michael, took first prize with an oil, ‘Searching for Newts’.

Awards are given to the trade stands with various criteria. Somerset Reclamation, from Ston Easton, won Gold.

Those who have spent a lifetime working in the agricultural industry are recognised by the Royal Bath & West of England Society and this year, six workers were awarded trophies. Robert Luke, of Buckland Dinham, has worked in the industry for 47 years; his first full time job was with Mr Long in the village, then tractor driving and milking at the Orchardleigh Estate. He then returned to the family farm and continues to relief milk. He also has a flock of 12,000 laying hens.

David Barnett trained as a gamekeeper before starting work for the Duke of Somerset on his estate at Maiden Bradley and has worked for 51 years.

The worker with the most years of continuous working life was Chris Harris, who, as the youngest, has worked for 54 years. He was nominated by Colston Gay of West Harptree. Chris started work at the age of twelve, helping on the farm. At sixteen, he started working full-time and was herdsman until 2007. He has worked for other farmers, Steve Flower of West Harptree and Rob Lunon, of Mendip Moments ice-cream. He works for the Gay family at Tudor Farm, milking three times a week and also two milkings at night. His employer, Colston Gay, said: “Chris is a most honest, trustworthy, kind person, who fully deserves a long service award”.

Amongst the huge crowd on Saturday, a visitor to the show with his family was MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg, who was enjoying all aspects of the show.

He said: “We have had a wonderful day.”

Rosie Sage