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Friday 22 January 2021
The day the country came to town
Show time: Equestrian events started early and continued through the day at Saturday’s A&P Show. Photo: Jo Richards. JO RICHARDS
Golden Bay’s annual celebration of country life came to town on Saturday for the 124th Agricultural and Pastoral Association Show. As the sun climbed over Tak ak a’s showground, and the crowds poured in, the temperature rose and animals, show-goers and stall holders were soon seeking shade. But by midday, cloud cover and a strengthening breeze combined to cool things down nicely, just in time for the Grand Parade. Although attendance at the traditional big day out fluctuates from year-to-year, the show remains the Bay’s largest annual single-day event. A&P committee vice-president Noel Baigent is delighted with this year’s turnout. “We estimate 5000 – slightly up on 2020.” But the show’s success is not measured in mere numbers. “What I loved most was the
atmosphere from every quarter - you could feel it, “ says Noel. “People from all walks of life and all corners of New Zealand love a traditional old time country show.” Indispensable in any good country show are the farm animals, and this year, the goats, sheep and poultry were joined by two friendly Jersey cows – Precious and Champion – from Jamie and Andrea Ward’s farm, handled expertly by Stevie Ward and Lola Flanders. On the adjacent rugby paddock, horses and riders competed in several classes, beginning early and continuing throughout most of the day. Organiser of the equestrian events Ann McKenzie reckoned that horse and pony entries were up on last year with competitors travelling from as far as Blenheim and Karamea. “It’s probably because a lot of competitions haven’t taken place over the last
year and competing here is an opportunity to gain qualification for Horse of the Year,” explained Ann, who pointed out that, this year, the women riders, were joined by a single male competitor – David Bott from Pohara. Tucked away in the corner of the showground, sheep shearers quietly demonstrated their speed and skill to a very appreciative audience. Whether it was the heat or it just didn’t fancy a trim, one of Jock Wyllie’s ewe’s escaped the pens and scarpered towards the carpark before allegedly being sighted in the paddocks behind the showground. Joyce Wyllie says that the steward had fortunately had a good look at the escapee before it made its bid for freedom. “Jonny Harwood was the sheep steward and he saw her go and told the judge that she was a very good sheep, as well as energetic one, so the judge awarded the
prize for two ewes even though we only had one left in the pen for him to see.” There were no such problems next door as axemen and women chopped chips off the blocks before the chainsaw operators fired up their machines for the Stihl-versus-Husqvarna battle of the brands. Meanwhile, in the relative cool and calm of the produce booth, an abundance of flowers, fruits and vegetables were laid out on tables around the hall. Visitors were also able to admire home-made wines, jams, pickles and cakes plus complete and exquisite afternoon teas, while listening to the soothing sound of Jochen Maurer’s piano playing. Artistry of a different kind was on show in the photography exhibition as well as knitting, hand-spun fibres and other crafts. Continued on page 7
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Inside: Field station opens New exhibitions Sea rescue A&P Show photos THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 22 JANUARY 2021
ISSN (PRINT) 2538-0923 ISSN (ONLINE) 2538-0931
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