Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020
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THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY
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NO GO FOR SHOW By Susan Sandys
susan.s@theguardian.co.nz
For the first time in 78 years, the Methven A&P Show has been cancelled. Show organisers made the decision late yesterday following Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement advising events of more than 500 people be cancelled as New Zealand attempts to avoid community transmission of the Covid-19 disease. It is the first time for decades
that such action has had to be taken by Methven A&P Association members for their signature annual event. The show has been running for over 100 years, and prior cancellations go back to 1925 due to the influenza pandemic and 1942 due to World War Two. Mid Canterbury event organisers were thrown into uncertainty yesterday as they awaited the Government announcement on large gatherings.
Earlier in the day, Methven A&P Show organisers said the show, scheduled for this Saturday, was still going ahead pending the announcement. President Adam Glass was philosophical about the turn of events, realising show organisers simply had to “follow the directive” of government. Interestingly organisers had had to consider cancelling the show last year as well due to the suspected continuing terror
threat following the March 15 attacks. The cancellation this year would be felt by everyone from kids entering their spud in the bucket to trade site operators. “It’s sad for all of the community, all the work that everyone has done over the year and it can’t be showcased,” Glass said. Meanwhile, promoters cancelled two Ashburton Trust Event Centre shows leading up to Ardern’s announcement, and
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takings at the centre are set to take a hit. Manager Roger Farr said as long as the centre could guarantee there would be less than 500 attending an event, it would be up to promoters or event organisers whether they wished to cancel or not.
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