A farmer who has been stewarding and showing livestock at the Devon County Show for more than 50 years, was elected as the show’s president this year, saying that it was ‘a dream come true’.

Edward Darke, 75, of Coleridge Farm in Chillington, was elected president of the Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA), which organises the show.

Edward has been involved in the DCS for 54 years, winning many prizes for his Devon & Cornwall Longwool sheep, and judging cattle and sheep in the DCS and various other shows. He started stewarding cattle and sheep in 1966, gradually progressing to chief livestock steward over the last 30 years.

At the show last weekend, Mr Darke’s duties as president included hosting the Stockman’s Supper on the Friday, where 400 exhibitors sat down for roast lamb, and presenting the Burke Trophy, a prestigious award that is given to the best pair of dairy and beef cattle, which is a major attraction at the DCS. He also presented trophies in the Grand Parade, where there were more than 250 cattle and sheep in the main ring at once on the Friday and Saturday.

Another major responsibility as president is choosing which charity the DCS is to support. Edward chose the Dame Hannah Rogers Charity, and more than £10,000 was raised from the show to go towards enriching and empowering children and adults in need.

Mr Darke and his wife, Sue, thoroughly enjoyed their three days at the DCS, with one of their favourite moments being when Edward, retiring show director David Parish and retiring secretary Ollie Allen, both of whom have worked for the show for more than 25 years, lowered the Devon County Show flag to mark the end of a successful era.

Edward said: “When I started with the Devon County Show all those years ago, I could never have imagined that one day I should be elected president. The show has been a big part of my life, and I’m proud to have been able to make it the great event that it is. This is a tremendous honour, a dream come true, and I’m absolutely thrilled to have been given the chance.”

For the DCAA, chief executive Richard Maunder said that Mr Darke was one of the Association’s most loyal and long-standing stalwarts.

Mr Maunder said: “Edward Darke has become one of the key faces of the Devon County Show. He is one of the main reasons why we can attract such a superb entry of livestock, year in, year out. I’m sure everyone connected with the DCAA will join me in wishing Edward and his partner Sue a thoroughly enjoyable and successful year.”

Edward was president elect to HRH Sophie, Countess of Wessex last year, took over from her in January, and will remain in office until January 2019.

Coleridge Farm has been in the family for more than 70 years, and Edward, along with his eldest son, Richard, and his grandsons Matt and Sam run a large dairy unit, have a commercial flock of 400 breeding ewes as well as the 60-strong flock of pedigree Devon and Cornwall Longwools, and grow around 250 ha of cereals. Edward’s Longwools have won many prizes for their wool over the years, including the Southwest ‘Champion of Champions’ in 2003.

However, one of Edward’s proudest achievements was winning the Supreme Sheep Championship at the Royal Show in 1981 in Stoneleigh, to which he was presented the trophy by Her Royal Majesty the Queen.

In 2015, he was honoured with the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award in the Devon Farm Business Awards, and is a past president of the summer Kingsbridge Show and Christmas Show and past president of the Kingsbridge Young Farmers.