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Rain did not stop six-year-old Blake Dunnett from showing off pet lamb Dora to the best of his ability in the children’s pet lamb competition at the Methven A&P show. PHOTO ROBYN HOOD 180317-RH-0157
Roadley third in race P4
Show a success despite weather BY SUSAN SANDYS
SUSAN.S@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
Allenton scoops pool P24
Methven A&P Show organisers are hailing the event a success despite the weather. It is every A&P association president’s worst nightmare to have cold and rainy conditions come show day, and that was the reality faced by Mark Lock at Methven on Saturday. Takings were down by about one third, but it was Methven area residents who ensured the show was a success. They were determined not to miss the excitement, and came out in their droves to enjoy the many attractions on offer. Temperatures hovered around 10 degrees and there was persistent rain in the morning which cleared by about 1pm. The sun even briefly appeared at one point in the late afternoon. Lock said local Methven families still supported the event, it was only
those coming from a bit further afield who would have been turned off by the weather. All in all the show had turned out to be an “awesome” day, and highlights had been many. They included the gift calf auction, which had record entries of about 50 calves, which fetched the highest ever average prices. Calves in the top priced pen fetched over $1000 each, and the heaviest calf, at 384 kilograms, was won by N. and G. Gardner. The event raised over $30,000 for the association. Funds would go to support two annual Mount Hutt College scholarships, and donations of $1500 each would be made to the Methven Library and Methven Care Trust. Committee members working away at the show throughout the rainy morning, were rewarded in the afternoon when they won the Methven Young Farmers
tug of war. Going up against numerous teams in heats and then the final, the team, mostly farmers, showed their might in front of cheering crowds. Lock said the secret had been technique rather than brute strength. “Straight back, and straightening your knees, it’s no use pulling,” he said. Crowds were just as enthralled at the woodchopping, where international calibre competitors went up against entrants from throughout the South Island. Other highlights according to Lock included the dairy goat section, which ended up with more entries than expected due to extra coming on the day, as well as the animal shed and trade space. The latter had been “chokka” with businesses which attracted plenty of foot traffic.
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