A "fantastic celebration of rural life" is promised at the Devon County Show next month – but the annual countryside bonanza doesn't happen on its own.
Ollie Allen, the show secretary, told a preview audience that preparations for the show on May 16-18 had already begun, and she presented a "shopping list" of necessities that would lead to a successful event at the permanent showground at Westpoint, near Exeter.
She said: "The content of the show is easy to explain. What is not so easy to sum up in a few words is how it is put together."
There will be over 800 trade stands, 500 cattle, 1,400 sheep, 300 alpacas, 1,400 horses, 1,100 dogs, numerous pigeons, poultry, rabbits and guinea pigs – and more than 500 "very keen" stewards and volunteers.
This year the show will host two national breed-society cattle shows, for the South Devons and Dexters.
The show will host the first-ever South West Academy Show Jumping tournament, for potential showjumping stars of the future, in the main arena.
With a month to go, the preparation of the showground has already started, with the marquee contractors settling in to cover the equivalent of four football pitches. And soon a team will start to mark out the showground using boarding, markers and tapes.
"We shall be building 200 stables, 600 cattle stalls, 150 pig pens, and 826 sheep pens made up from 2,113 hurdles and pins," added Mrs Allen. "The showground never sleeps.
"Around the show there is so much to see and do, to taste, try and buy, to stand and admire."
