Young adult with autism joins Devon County Show for new exhibit

The Devon County Show is delighted to offer 20-year-old Ned Riley a platform to showcase his passion and knowledge for bugs and reptiles, which he has fostered since he was a toddler.  He will exhibit four animals provided by Exeter Exotics, in a 3m x 3m jungle garden installation in the Crafts & Horticulture marquee. 

Ned, who is autistic and is from South Somerset, is finding it tough transitioning from education to a career.  He would love to work in an environment where he can use his passion to earn a living, but, as with many other neurodivergent young adults, he simply doesn’t have the confidence to go to interviews, nor does he have a CV to back up his skills. 

The opportunity for Ned comes following Devon County Show’s recent pledge to make the show more inclusive and accessible with several new features this year including a Quiet Zone for neuro divergent children, a high dependency toilet unit and disability stewards. 

Ned was lucky enough to spend a few weeks in Sri Lanka with his parents earlier this year.  His mum, Jane, was utterly blown away by how Ned blossomed on the trip, really coming out of his shell, and spending hours roaming the jungle terrain wearing a head torch and spotting extraordinary bugs with his keen eye. Amongst many other species, Ned found and captured on camera a Myrmaplata Plataeoides – a red weaver ant- mimicking jumping spider as well as a stunning luminous green vine snake that slithered down a frangipani tree each morning to join them for breakfast. 

Jane said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen my son so animated as he kept discovering bugs he’d only dreamt about seeing before the holiday. I am now determined that Ned should try and make a career out of his very genuine talent.  I’m so hoping that Devon County Show might help give him a much-needed foot on the ladder.  You never know, he might become the next David Attenborough!”

Ned’s royal python snake, Horizon, boards whenever he’s away at Exeter Exotics,  a reptile shop in Exeter with a 5 star Animal Activity Licence.  To show their support for Ned, the owners  have generously agreed to provide him with four animals to exhibit. These will include a Brazilian Black Velvet Tarantula, a Crested Gecko, a Corn Snake and some Burmese Beauty Millipedes.

The animals will be housed in locked, temperature-controlled vivaria complete with a habitat built to mirror their natural environment and will be available for Devon County Show goers to view but not handle. 

Jane added: “If you’re phobic about bugs, you should really try and pay Ned a visit.  From my own personal experience, the more you understand about bugs and their purpose on the planet, the less frightening they become.”

Ned will be at Devon County Show across all three days, Thursday 16th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th May.  To book early bird discounted tickets to the show, visit www.devoncountyshow.co.uk