SPIRITS were high at the Cornwall and Devon Countryman's

Fair, despite the rainy weather. People from all over the

region turned out in their droves for a day of fun, stalls and

ring events at the popular event.

The fair is the largest one-day biannual event in the region

and took place yesterday in the extensive grounds of Werrington

Park, near Launceston.

Bill Kneebone, the main ring organiser, said the day had

gone very well, in spite of the weather and added that it could

be the best-ever show.

“We don't know exactly what the takings are but I've been

involved since 1982 and I've never seen such a stream of

traffic. It was non-stop from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Our treasurer

Terry Coplin is looking optimistically and it could be the

best-ever.”

The show was launched in 1982 by Robert Williams, the owner

of Werrington Park, as a small game fair to raise money for the

Cornwall County Council Playing Fields Association. His son

Michael is now chairman.

Since the fair started, it has raised more than £265,000 for

various charities, including its main beneficiary the Playing

Fields Association, and the Countryside Alliance, the

Children's Hospice South West's Precious Lives Appeal, Devon

and Cornwall Air Ambulances, and Werrington Cricket Club, whose

members are parking stewards at the fair.

Mr Kneebone added: “Over the past 26 years, we have given

huge sums of money to the Mermaid Appeal and the Primrose

Appeal and after foot-and-mouth, we gave money to the Royal

Agricultural Benevolent Institution.”

One of the highlights of the show was when Michael Bickle,

head of the Lamerton Hunt, handed a cheque for £11,500 to the

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association and Help for

Heroes charities.