FINE weather brought out the crowds at the 40th St Martin Show on Saturday.

The venue, Trewince Barn, was much appreciated by the many visitors who, after admiring the exhibits, were able to enjoy wonderful cakes and tea, whilst listening to music from the Cober Valley Accordion Band.

Other attractions included a raffle, face painting and a charity sales table.

After a few words of welcome by the chairman Brindley Hosken, and president Joyce Froggatt, the show was opened by Tony Harris.

Tony is a well known local farm machinery and livestock auctioneer and is a partner in Lodge & Thomas. He was brought up on The Lizard and now lives in Mawgan. With his extensive knowledge of the area, he had several tales to tell about the famous and infamous past residents of St. Martin.

Show entries, including vegetables, flowers, crafts, home produce, art and photography, were down in numbers this year but the quality was higher than usual with many entries from new exhibitors. Entries into the children's classes though were even higher than last year's record. Congratulations go to all the prize and cup winners.

Two new classes for men only this year were hotly contested, the "Man Pasty" and "Man Sponge", with the "Man Pasty" title going to Philip Jenkin along with the K. J. Bolitho Cup for the best Cornish pasty in the show. The "Man Sponge" had the largest number of entries in the home produce section and the title was taken by Roy Corden. Special mention must go to Robin Whitehouse for winning the Parish Hall Cup for best exhibit in show and Loretta Ruse for winning the St. Martin Horticultural shield for most points in show. Ann Hoskin was a popular local winner, taking the WI Cup for most points in the home produce section, and the Hannibal and Vera Nicholls Cup for most points in the home produce section by a parishioner of St. Martin. A new cup this year was The Old Withy Garden Nursery Cup for most points in the confined flower section, this honour being taken by Wendy Bailey.

At the end of the afternoon, the Show Chairman, Brindley Hosken thanked Mr. & Mrs. Alston for the use of their barn and also Tony Harris for opening the show and presenting the Special Prizes to the winners. He went on to say that the show takes a lot of planning and organisation and thanked all the many people involved in running the show and also the Cober Valley Band for providing two hours of entertainment. The show is always a real team effort which gives locals and visitors alike such great pleasure.

During the afternoon money was raised for this year's charities, The National Coastwatch institution and the RNLI.

Because this was the 40th anniversary show, the day continued with a Barn Dance in the evening, after a rapid change from the show layout to a dancing area. A large number of people filled the barn and the Newlyn Reelers did an excellent job of keeping everyone on their feet.