Show unites small community

Press, 9 March 1984, Page 12

Show unites small community

The cool, damp summer that proved a blessing to the drought-prone area round Cheviot has also ensured that both the quantity and the quality of entries in this year’s A. and P. Show are particularly high. Tomorrow’s show is the 70th annual Agricultural and Pastoral Association Show to be held in Cheviot, carrying on a tradition of community support and involvement that stretches back to the earliest days of settlement.

The show brings together the scattered North Canterbury population in a way

that is rarely possible at any other time of year. More than 2500 entries in 20 different areas of endeavour mean that there are not many families in the Cheviot district who do not have at least one member participating in the show. It is this friendly, family atmosphere and a range of classes that allows for a huge variety of skills and talents that account for the popularity and success of the show. The total number of entries has increased from last year’s figure, and a dramatic increase has been

made in the arts, crafts and domestic industry entries, in particular. The weather, it seems, affects everything from fleece wool to home preserving and the fine growing season has been reflected across the board, in categories as diverse as livestock and vegetables. The Cheviot area is predominantly a grazing and cropping district, with Corriedale sheep the most popular breed grown for meat and wool The sheep classes in this year’s show have increased by 150 entries to a total of 379, which

should guarantee a high standard of competition. An extra incentive has been provided this year by the awarding of the Royal Agricultural Society’s Silver Medal to the competitor who gains the most points in the wool section, traditionally one of the strongest areas of competition. The Cheviot Show has always enjoyed good support from horse and pony riders in both the conventional and the newer Western style classes. Western riding has become a popular alternative in the North Canterbury area and the Cheviot Show provides some spectacular demonstrations of the style in 13 different classes. Both horses and riders must be appropriately attired in Western gear and competitors from the West Coast, Kaikoura and Christchurch have boosted entries to nearly 100. In a tribute to the important role played by horses in the development of the Cheviot area, the Grand Parade this year will be led off by a team of Clydesdale

horses owned by Mr Keith Stewart of Lincoln. Freighting four large Clydesdales and a waggon the 120 km to Cheviot is no easy task and the show organisers are grateful for the assistance of the local haulage company, Service Transport, Ltd, which carried the waggon free of charge. The McAlpines North Canterbury Highland Band is providing music at the show, both in the Grand Parade and for the dancing classes, which are always popular with spectators.

A new feature this year will be a performance by the local country music club, which will play at the conclusion of the dancing competitions on the main stage.

As well as the usual fairground attractions and trade displays at the showground are a display by the Cheviot Plunket Society which deals with accident prevention; a display by the Canterbury Mohair Breeders’ Association, a fitch breeder’s display, and an exhibition of angora rabbits; and demon-

strations of china painting and bench pottery by two well-known Canterbury artists.

An attempt to educate the community on the symptoms and effects of diabetes is being made with the help of the Cheviot Lions Club.

People attending the show are invited to undergo a simple finger-prick blood test which will detect the presence of diabetes before it becomes a serious condition. The diabetic screening will be performed in a caravan adjacent to the secretary’s office, by the main show ring. Wood chopping is a perennial favourite with spectators and a section of the Cheviot showground has been put aside for this purpose. The competitions, which attract axemen from many parts of the South Island, have been organised by the North Canterbury Axemen’s Association. In addition to the chopping competitions, a portable sawmill has been set up on the ground to demonstrate timber milling procedures and a display of log handling has also been arranged.