Chagford Show

23rd August 2019

Gilbert Stephens Solicitors is a strong supporter of our local agricultural Shows and we have attended Honiton, Okehampton and Chagford Shows throughout August. This year was the 119^th Chagford Agricultural and Horticultural Show, which was held on Thursday 15^th August at the Dogmarsh Fields, beside the River Teign, on beautiful Dartmoor.

Chagford Show is a marvellous family day out. It is a traditional agricultural show offering a unique mix of farming, crafts and horticulture with a dedicated food hall promoting local food and drink as well as lots of live music to entertain throughout the day. The main ring had a full day of special attractions – this year saw the Tigers Children’s Motorcycle Display Team, Terrier Racing with Ian Brackenbury and Birds of Prey Flying Display among others. There were also many other attractions, events and over 200 trade stands to browse. We had the huge pleasure of being one of them.

Each year, Chagford Show supports the local community by donating a percentage of profits made on the day to a charitable fund. This year, the Show honoured ELF, Exeter Leukaemia Fund, as their chosen charity. ELF supports patients and their families at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital who are affected by cancers and blood disorders.

We had an incredible day at the Chagford Show and were extremely busy from start to finish enjoying conversations with everyone who came to see us. Everyone was delighted to receive a complimentary glass of Pimm’s, pasty and cream tea, in addition to a green Gilbert Stephens bag with goodies inside. Our fantastic face painter also kept children thoroughly entertained throughout the day. We also announced the lucky winners of our luxury Devon hamper and inflatable paddle board at the Show.

This year, our stand was accompanied by James Miles and Michael Tilston from The Mortgage Quarter who set up a static bike challenge to raise money for ELF. The company challenged adults and children to see who could cycle the furthest distance in five minutes. The challenge was in preparation for their Ten Mile Tough Mudder UK challenge on Sunday 18^th August. We also had the FCN (Farming Community Network) join the firm at our stand and collect donations to help support farmers and families within the farming community.

Staff from across our six offices represented the firm at our stand including; Terry Bastyan, Managing Partner; James Bastyan, IT Manager; Alistair Heron, Partner; Dana Mulligan, Marketing Manager; Carrie Maud, Chartered Financial Planner; Linda Jewell, Legal Assistant; Philip Horlock, Solicitor; Sarah Judd, Practice and HR Manager; Emma Bellamy, Legal Assistant and Martin Pratley, Solicitor.

Terry Bastyan, Managing Partner, said “Chagford Show embodies the best traditions of a proper country show and plays an important role in promoting farming and food. We thoroughly enjoy supporting our local farming communities and think it’s very admirable that this show donates a percentage of profits to ELF and we were pleased to contribute to the fundraising”.

We are sad that this is the last Show we will be attending this year; however, we are very much looking forward to returning next year.