Cheviot’s Jubilee Show Tomorrow

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30389, 13 March 1964, Page 7

Cheviot’s Jubilee Show Tomorrow

The Cheviot Agricultural and Pastoral Association held its fiftieth anniversary in 1957, but it had to wait until now to celebrate its fiftieth show. Quite a few were missed during the war years. This year’s show, which will be held tomorrow, will have a jubilee flavour, and entries have reached a record size—well over 3000. A set of 360 new sheep pens with concrete posts and rails was completed this year, but even they will not hold the bumper 455 entries—49 more than the previous record of 416 entries received in 1954. Draught horses, once a strong section at the Cheviot show, ■ will make a welcome reappearance at this one. There will be a team of four, pulling an old-style waggon which has been specially revived for the purpose. In the waggon, at the head of the parade, will be Mr P. Le Cren the association’s president, and other show officials. Visitors will see some changes since 1957. The old school grounds of about two and a half acres have been added to the show grounds, bringing the area up to 15 acres. A new secretary’s office was built last year, including an announcer’s box. The show ring has also been completed with concrete posts and rails. Six months ago the Early Records Society held a comprehensive one-day exhibition of antiques collected in the Cheviot district, and many of these will be on display again in the society’s tent. There will be a good collection of old photographs and a large number of early farming implements. Fewer Dogs An outbreak of distemper is blamed for the smaller entry of dogs this year. Saddle horses and pony classes are down too, but wool entries have increased by 22 to 53. Included in the planned entertainment is an appearance by the Riccarton Pipe Band, and a display by ttie woodchopping club. Cheviot's first agricultural show was held in the old woolshed paddock (with produce in the town hall) in 1857. It was organised by the Cheviot Settlers’ Association, a very active body which missed no chance of improving the district “One of our old man nor’westers turned up that day,” said the Cheviot historian and secretary of the A. and P. Association (Mr F.D. Childs), “and believe me they can blow.” The association obtained the present show grounds, built the produce shed and held a show there in 1904. It was a big day for Cheviot, and the show was attended by no fewer than three Ministers of the Crown. Records Destroyed Unfortunately the A. and P. Association’s books were destroyed in the Cheviot fire of 1930. The records of the Cheviot Settlers’ Association were also destroyed by fire at an earlier date. It is remembered, however, that the Cheviot Racing Club’s track ran through the Show grounds, and that the new’ produce shed was in the way of planned improvement® to the track. Dispute

over the matter split the association into two sections —one favouring the racing club, the other firmly opposing any change in the position of the produce shed. But the racing section grew so strong that it was able to oust its opponents from the association. The name was then changed to the Cheviot Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the produce shed was shifted back and the show ring moved to form railings for the track straight. “Although the association carried on in two sections, as it were, the shows were well supported by both sections,” says Mr Childs in his notes on the history of the association. “The old friction lasted many years, mainly over the replacement of the show ring. So close was the feeling that in 1929 the voting on that point resulted in a tie, and I, as president, had to give the casting vote.” When the race track was closed the association bought the totalisatar building at what was considered to be a very reasonable figure, and it also received the railings around the track. The cause of the old dispute thereby disappeared. Sheep Breeds Change Breeds of sheep predominating at the Cheviot shows have changed over the years. In the early shows halfbred and English. Leicester were the principal breeds, but these were gradually superseded by Corriedale, three-quarter-breds and crossbreds. Shropshires and Southdowns have now dropped out of the fat classes and Romneys are the leading breed. This will be an important show for Mr Childs too. He has been associated with the show for 60 years and for the last 25 years has been secretary' of the Cheviot Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Now an honorary life member, he plans to retire from the secretary’s office after the jubilee show. He has not missed a show since he was a steward at the 1904 show, and for the last 15 years his wife has been his assistant secretary. Mr Childs was president of the association in 1928.