Our history is shaped by our landscapes and underscored by the beats of boots punching into fresh grass and the sounds of farm animals. The stories and struggles of our agricultural communities are part of the beating heart of human experience, and touch all of our lives, though not all of us know it.

Agricultural shows have been with us for 254 years. Described by Countryfile as a “crucial support service”, they’re important social events that bring together farmers, who often work in isolation, for a day of community and celebration.

In July, two people we support from Boscawen Farm took their own place in this story. Sapphire and Harry showed two of their sheep, Aphrodite and Beech, at the 185th Stithians Show in Truro.

The Stithians Show is the largest one-day agricultural show in Cornwall – a key date in any farmer or outdoor enthusiast’s calendar.

The journey to this ‘once in a lifetime’ moment started months earlier. The idea was born at Boscawen Farm, when people we support were looking at pictures from a previous agricultural show.

“Can we show sheep?” someone asked. “Why not?” thought Jackie, Support Worker.

She explained:

I wanted to prove to the people we support that they could do anything they wanted to do.

Preparing for the show

It took about six months to get the sheep ready. Boscawen Farm had never done anything like this before, so the first step was research, then getting the sheep used to being walked. While only two people we support showed at the fair, many people were involved in getting the sheep prepared.

As the big day drew closer, everyone pulled together to tidy the sheep and get them ready, until finally, it was time.

The big day

Everyone arrived early. It was a hot blazing summer day, but Sapphire and Harry still needed to be dressed in white farmer’s coats.

Harry getting ready to show his sheep!

Sapphire said:

If I were to describe the day in three words: I’d say fun, tiring and hot!

When the time came, Harry, and then Sapphire, went in to show their sheep. In sheep competitions, everyone is given a special place to stand. Then the judges come around to examine the sheep. It’s important that the sheep stay still – which can be a bit of a struggle!

Sapphire had even more reason to be proud, as we think she is the first trans person with disabilities to show at the fair.

To me this means history. I can say I was the first one to do it and that makes me happy.

Ready to go! Sapphire at the Stithians Show

The special day is one that will stay in everyone’s minds for a long time. It was a day of acceptance, where our talented sheep farmers were treated as exactly that – sheep farmers.

It was a once in a lifetime thing and you’ve got to experience it. If you were to say it’s happening again tomorrow, I’d jump at it.

Sapphire

A local paper wrote up the day, and mentioned Boscawen Farm, but gave no mention to learning disabilities. Jackie felt this was important: it meant that Harry and Sapphire were being recognised for their farming skills, and not being seen as different to anyone else:

I was really proud watching them, and seeing how they’d grown over the last few months. They’d gone from being totally unsure about how to walk a sheep, to being able to go out there and do it.

It was amazing. It was an absolutely amazing day.

Could you make amazing days happen for people we support? Apply to be a support worker today.

  • Ali Mills is Communications and Engagement Officer for United Response.