ANDREW RITCHIE
The Marlborough A & P Show attracted large crowds this year after two years in the wildnerness due to the dreaded Covid.
The committee adjusted their ticket prices in order to attract families to a fun filled day out. Children were allowed free entry with adults at $10. The fairground was in much demand with queues forming for the various rides.
The dairy section enjoyed a first year back after the mico plasma bovis episode. Sheep shearing,dog trialing and the children’s pet show all enjoyed the comeback. President William Harris said great things were planned for the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary in 2023.
Some restoration work will be done on the 100-year-old sheep shed to make it waterproof and also to enhance the venue for the Farmer’s Market.
“In order to survive these days facilities must be adapted so that they become multi-purpose enabling different groups to enjoy them.”
In the Trophy tent was an enormous array of silver cups. Anna Sharpe has the unenviable task of ensuring the cups are returned to the show. This year was made particularly difficult due to fact that the show had not been run for two years. All sorts of excuses were volunteered but eventually the trophies were all run to ground. It was noted by your correspondent that most returnees had not bothered to apply any silver polish to the items, before surrendering them to the organisation.
Also officiating on the day in the trophy tent was Sam Rutherford who apart from commentating on the microphone was present as the representative of the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand. The Society overseas the running of all the agricultural shows in the country and is responsible for ratifying all the judges. Alan Jones who has been a member of the committee since 1988 was in charge of the horse section.
He said entries were a little down on previous years, but it takes a while for people to adjust to things returning to normal after the last two years. He was impressed with the increasing number of standard breds being entered in the show ring.
“The ex-trotters are cheaper to buy, placid and easy to teach after their lives on the trotting track.”
For the 150th Anniversary Show next year Alan says the committee are optimistic about the revival of the beef cattle section at the event. In years gone by exhibitors from as far away as Nelson used to show their cattle. Next year it is hoped they will have competitors from Christchurch in attendance.Keep the dates free for the 150th Anniversary Marlborough A & P Show November 2023.
