Guernsey Press

Inside the West Show tents Guernsey is looking golden

WITH conditions far from ideal, there was still an impressive turnout for the livestock competition in the West Show’s fur and feather tent.

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Joshua Silk, 12, enjoyed the winning feeling with Ezra, a Golden Guernsey kid owned by the Girards. (Pictures by Sophie Rabey, 25510836)

The two-day annual show, which covers Torteval, St Saviour’s and St Peter’s, got off to a wet start at L’Eree Aerodrome.

But inside the marquees was dry and they were full of entries and entrants.

There were 42 individual goats across 60 entries, 17 sheep, 15 pigs and 10 beef animals in the running for classes such as best kid, best milker and best in show.

There were goats of different breeds for the judges to cast their eyes over. (25510815)

West Show regular, and one of the organisers, Rodney Dyke said the weather was bad.

‘But we have got a nice-looking entry this year that’s for sure,’ he said.

‘Of the 42 individual goats, we’ve got some of our lovely Alpines, Boers and a couple of Guernsey Goldens.

‘It is a really good family event. I’ve got daughters, grand-daughters, sons, everyone is here mucking in and helping.’

Local judge Keith Opie was on hand to oversee the different classes of the show and he was impressed with the animals.

‘It’s a very good lot we’ve got here. There is a nice mixture of different breeds like British Alpines, Boers, some pygmies and Guernseys. I’ve seen a lovely looking Alpine goatling and a very good Guernsey milker,’ said Mr Opie.

Braving the weather and coming first in his class was Joshua Silk, 12.

‘I won best kid with Ezra, who is a Golden Guernsey kid,’ said Joshua.

‘He isn’t my goat, he is Mrs Girard’s, and it feels good to win, but I was the only one in the class. I’ll be back next year though.’

Sara Sarre with ferrets Bits and Pieces. (25510908)

Away from the animals, fine local produce was on sale for visitors and none was more varied than that of the St Peter’s Community Market.

‘We have our market on Wednesdays usually,’ said market manager Sarah Plumley.

‘It is all locally produced and each grower has a share number by which we can sell their produce for them.

‘We thought we would come down the show and open up all day rather than just the morning and give people the opportunity to buy our produce.’

Show president Richard Ashplant said the show would be in full swing today. (25510890)

West Show committee president Richard Ashplant said: ‘The weather is unfortunately out of our control but we have been really busy organising it and just waiting for everything to get under way.

‘By this time tomorrow the show will be in full swing.’

The show draws to a close tonight.