Culdrose sailors at the annual Stithians Show

It was Smiles all round for personnel from Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose who were taking part in one of the largest Agricultural shows in the country.

Sailors and Naval Fire fighters from RNAS Culdrose complete with a Fire Fighting appliance were in big demand from visitors at the annual Stithians Show; Cornwall’s biggest one day country event. In clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine which brought out the crowds, a bright Red Fire engine from the Fleet Air Arm, normally on duty as a rescue vehicle, was a crowd pleaser amongst some the younger country set.

“This really is a great country show”, said Lieutenant Amy Gaunt, who live in Stithians and works at Culdrose on the Merlin helicopters. “It was a steady stream of visitors to us and it’s nice to talk with everybody about the Royal Navy and the Air Station. It’s a real pleasure.”

Stithians Show has been held annually since the early 1800’s and was originally started as a competition between local parishioners to see who could grow the best vegetables, raise the finest cattle and breed the greatest horses. Today the purpose built showground provides a full day out for the whole family.

RNAS Culdrose regularly attends this event and always has an impressive crowd around their pitch and enjoys the community spirit the Show promotes amongst Cornish neighbours. Trevor Peters and his wife Karen arrived early to see the rare breeds on show, but took time out to chat with the Navy. “It’s a proper Cornish thing. Every year it gets better and better, the Navy people really add some colour to the show.”

The event also presented an idea opportunity to help promote Culdrose Naval Air Station’s own event, RNAS CULDROSE AIR DAY 2013 on Wednesday 24 July. “Everyone wanted to know what aircraft were coming to Culdrose and the best time to arrive,” said Chief Petty Officer Paul Jayes. “If we get the same stunning weather at our Air Day it will be a fantastic day out for all.”