Variety for all the family

Press, 12 October 1979, Page 23

Variety for all the family

For variety, this year's Ellesmere A. and P. show should be ideal. The show which, as usual, is the first of the Canterbury circuit, starts on Saturday in the Leeston Showgrounds at 7.30 a.m. and a programme to entertain both city and country people will be presented during the day. The showgrounds are in first class order thanks to the combined efforts of many of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s 652 members. Progress has been made in various areas with large sums of money spent on facilities. The building which accommodates the poultry classes has had about S2OOO spent on it and a $12,000 programme to extend and upgrade the sheep pens is well under way. Apart from the usual competitions for sheep, cattle, working dogs and pigs, the show provides plenty of other interesting activities. A blacksmith will be on hand to demonstrate his many skills, there will be sheep shearing competitions, highland dancing. wood chopping, bands and plenty of side show fun for children. Entries in most competitions exceed last

year’s totals and the show organisers are surprised at the increased number of outside entries in the stock competitions. I’he horse events will have an extra flavour this year. In several classes some unusual and less known breeds — Welsh. Arab and Appaloosa — have been entered. Horse entries are high this year and the association's vice-president (Mr S. M. Boon) said if entries increased any further a two-day show would be required. The day's programme starts with the dog trials at 7.30, followed by led horses, saddle hacks and Group A. B and C ponies at 8130. Shearing starts at 9 a.m. and judging in the cattle, goat, and pig section starts at 9.30 a.m. Farm dogs, Clydesdale horses, poultry, highland dancing and produce are judged at 10 a.m. The tent containing arts and crafts opens at 10.30 a.m. and 30 minutes later judging of the implement and machinery display and the woodchopping competition starts. Sheep judging starts at noon, and at 12.30 p.m. the harness and hunter sections face the judges.

Pony jumping starts at 1 p.m. and. at the same time, the bands will perform. There will be a wine making demonstration at 1.30 p.m. and the Grand Parade will start at 3 p.m. After the parade, there will be F.E.I. jumping and the woodchopping and dog trial finals.