Devon County Show appoints honorary chaplain

Ground-breaking Canon Anna Norman–Walker has been appointed the first honorary chaplain of the Devon County Show, which will be held on May 19-21 at Westpoint, Exeter.

“It was a lovely surprise,” said Canon Norman-Walker, who is a passionate supporter of the countryside.

“The Show champions the local and the sustainable, creating a vital platform to acknowledge the faithful work of our farmers who are all too often isolated and labouring against the odds.

“For three days a community springs into life at Westpoint giving all who attend a taste of Devon and all that there is  for us to be both proud of and thankful for. It is one of my favourite weeks of the year!”

Show Secretary Ollie Allen welcomed Anna to the team. She said: “Anna has been involved in the Show for the past five years and is hugely supportive of us all -from staff to volunteers, our farmers and visitors.

“The Show, which becomes a village for a week, needs the support, and comfort, of its parish vicar.”

Canon Norman-Walker will lead the eve of Show service, is Chair of the Churches Together Venue, which offers hospitality and activities for children, and will be available to offer support, a listening ear and a prayer “whenever I am invited to do so”.

Two years ago she became the first woman to work full-time as a Canon at Exeter Cathedral in its 900 year history and has served in a variety of church roles, including as assistant rural dean for Cullompton and Tiverton.

Tickets are available online and from selected outlets www.devoncountyshow.co.uk