Arrival of rain ideal end to A&P show

Bradley Shaw (left), who celebrated his 9th birthday yesterday, tests the driving seat of this...
Bradley Shaw (left), who celebrated his 9th birthday yesterday, tests the driving seat of this new tractor at the Maniototo A&P Show, accompanied by Freddie Hore (9), of Wedderburn. PHOTO: LYNDA VAN KEMPEN
Black clouds threatening rain over the Maniototo A&P Show delivered the goods just as the show was ending, much to the delight of the district's farmers.

‘‘It was a perfect end to a great day,'' the show's horticultural and industrial division president-secretary, Amie Pont said.

‘‘Just as the events were pretty much finished, down came some nice, heavy rain and it's set in, so we couldn't be happier.''

As he opened the 117th show, president Mark Paterson said it had been another challenging year for farmers and he noted the gathering rain clouds and hoped they would ‘‘come to something, later on today''.

Dry conditions are one of the main elements of the farmers' ‘‘challenging'' year so there were lots of smiles as the forecast rain eventually arrived.

A crowd of between 800 and 1000 attended the show, enjoying a wide range of entertainment from a pet parade to craft stalls and equestrian events.

Entries in the equestrian events were strong, as were the sheep entries.

The show's horticulture and industries section, featuring photography, baking, preserves, floral art, garden art, arts and crafts and school children's creative work proved popular, as always.

The theme this year was ‘‘Think Pink''.

Mary Furness Weir of Geraldine, was impressed at the quality of the fleeces on display.

She sources Maniototo-grown fleeces for her business, has them scoured, carded and spun and then she dyes the yarn and sells it.

‘‘The Maniototo fleeces are the best. For me, looking at this display is like being in a lolly shop,'' she said.

An overall prize for excellence was awarded for the first time at this year's show.

It was won by Ali Clarke, of Christchurch, who entered a pen and ink drawing.

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