Goats turned out at their best for centenary year show

The society’s centenary year was celebrated by 50 goats across 14 classes.

Society president Peter Girard has been keeping goats for 22 years, and said it was an exciting event for locals.

‘Goat-keeping is part of our heritage,’ he said. ‘If anyone even has one or two goats that’s good, because the breed continues.’

He owns 43 goats in total, not all of which were on show.

‘We have got lovely weather for it – it’s sunny and we have a breeze,’ he said.

‘People seem to be enjoying themselves.’

Society secretary Tracy Dyke was pleased with the turnout, which included Golden Guernseys, Boers and British Alpines.

‘We have had some new families that started last year and we are hoping the young children will come on through,’ she said.

‘Everyone has washed their goats, groomed them and made them look lovely, so the judge will have a difficult choice to make.’

This follows a challenging season of dry weather.

‘It has been a difficult summer,’ Ms Dyke said. ‘Nobody has got any grass so we are using our winter feed.’

Visiting judge John Rudkin, from the British Goat Society, was pleased with the milking class.

‘There are some really nice ones,’ he said. ‘1.9 kilos for Guernseys is steady.’

Every competitor got a keepsake centenary medal at the event, and the most popular classes were goatlings and female kids.