Stithians Show sizzles despite the drizzle: PICTURES

Renowned for its family atmosphere, the event is a traditional agricultural show with a wide range of exhibits.

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There was stiff competition in many classes for horses, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and horticulture, accompanied by arts, crafts and cookery, cage birds, cavies, dogs and dog agility, pigeons, rabbits and also classes for YFC members.

St Stythians Band started the day by accompanying the officials on their parade from the entrance down to the flagpole, where the show was opened and the Cornish flag of St Piran and the Union flag were raised under foreboding grey skies.

This year's show president is Steve Kimberley, who raised the yellow show flag to declare the event officially begun.

Accompanied by his wife Carol, together with chairman Ken Downing and his wife Kathryn, Mr Kimberley then visited the different sections during the morning before presenting the prizes in the afternoon.

Mr Kimberley praised and thanked the show association committees, officers and volunteers for working “tirelessly” to make the event a success, adding: “The show has a special place in the village's history, which is steeped in tradition and values passed down from generation to generation.

“It's great to see so many youngsters involved in all disciplines, whether it be competing in classes or helping with the smooth running on the day. They are the future lifeblood of the show in years to come.”

President elect, Rev Canon Michael Warner, and his wife Rosemary, also visited different sections and presented some of the prizes.

There was a good showing in the livestock classes, with this year's supreme champion for cattle going to Michael Collins from Wendron.

Horses had 51 showing classes, which included new classes for miniature horses, retraining of Racehorses (novice) and working show horses, plus the horse breeding section, open driving class and five British show jumping classes, which includes the popular accumulator.

For those wishing to remember days gone by, a good place to visit was the steam and vintage area, where they could find traction engines of various types, commercial vehicles, vintage and classic cars, stationary engines, tractors and motorbikes of yesteryear.

The Countryside area, supported by Cornish Mutual, offered displays and demonstrations in thatching, hedging, wood carving and turning, spinning and weaving, plus blacksmiths.

The Taste of Cornwall marquee gave visitors the chance to try some of the finest produce from the county, while on stalls outside visitors could buy almost everything from a sunhat to an umbrella, a new car to agricultural equipment, and most things in between, as well as be tempted in the two craft areas.

Entertainment took place throughout the day, both by St Stythians Band and other local performers.

The day ended with an evening concert by the band and Stithians Ladies Choir.

The show began in 1834 in a field near the parish church, and is thought to have been a challenge between local farmers as to who could exhibit the best quality of produce.

Today, now on its own showground just on the outskirts of the village, the event welcomes up to 20,000 visitors, with the show still having agriculture at the heart of the event.

Traditionally the show is held on the Monday in July immediately following the Feast of St Stythians, the Patron Saint of the Parish, and is never earlier than July 11 or later than July 17.