FIFTY YEARS AGO

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27920, 17 March 1956, Page 7

FIFTY YEARS AGO

Three members of the first committee of the Oxford Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the golden jubilee show of which is to be held on Saturday, April 7, are still alive. The trio are Messrs R. F. Henderson, C. Bassett and G. Bassett, and they are looking forward to comparing this show with the one held on May 30. 1906, in Pearson’s Park. Invitations have also been sent to 30 persons who exhibited at the first show. The association realises that there may be others still alive whom they have been unable to trace. The late Mr John O’Halloran, of Glentui, was the president for the first three years, and the late Mr James McCormick was the first secretary. The late Mr Lancelot Watson was secretary for 30 years and, after that, president for four years. The showgrounds were purchased soon after the association was established, and now form a very valuable asset. Since its inception the association has carried out a progressive building programme and consequently the buildings are more extensive than is the case at most country shows. Improvements are still in hand, and working bees have had a strenuous time lately. Special efforts are being made to ensure that the jubilee show is an outstanding one, for the president, Mr T. A. Judson, and a large proportion of the committee are sons or grandsons of the founders.