THE pride of Devon is on display at the Devon County Show today and tomorrow, writes Lindsey Sill Farming, food, flowers, family entertainment and a wealth of rural crafts: that's the formula that draws crowds in their thousands to the Westpoint showground outside Exeter every year. Show secretary Ollie Allen, said: 'Every show is new. Every show retains its traditions, promoting the very best of Devon but trying to find a different way of doing it.' A menagerie of animals will be on show: horses, cattle, pigs, goats, alpacas, dogs and smaller animals. After advice from Defra, the popular poultry classes are going ahead, despite fears about avian flu. Poultry steward John Redler said he thought that numbers might be down, as breeders have been holding back waiting to see what would happen. 'I think it has been blown out of proportion. We are still here and haven't had many problems in this country. It's all credit to the exhibitors carrying on with the birds. 'My aim is to keep the youngsters involved in the fancying. It's better than computers and TV. If they have got poultry to keep, it makes children responsible.' Helping out in the poultry section for the first time will be Linzi Stride, 17, of Captain's Road, Kingsteignton. She plans to buy a breeding trio of Lavender Peacons. The sparks will be flying as blacksmiths from all over the country take part in a new competition to mark the 50th year of metalwork at the Devon County Show. John Bellamy, steward and Master of the Guild of Wrought Iron Craftsmen of Wessex, from Starcross, will be among several metalworkers demonstrating their craft. He said: 'We have a viewing platform so that everyone can get a good view of the work being carried out in the traditional way.' He joked that once people see what is involved, they can appreciate why it is so expensive. In the flower marquee a dazzling display of colours, textures and scents will be on display. Setting up on Wednesday were two members of Teignmouth Flower Arrangement Society, treasurer Margaret Cawood and vice-chairman Pamela Gordon, who were preparing exhibits for the Town and Country Section.
