Knives hung up after 59 years' work

Retiring Tokomairiro Ploughing Competition catering volunteers Nancy Allison (left) and Joan Thornthwaite, both of Milton, assemble one final sandwich. The pair have catered the event since 1959. Photo: Richard Davison
Retiring Tokomairiro Ploughing Competition catering volunteers Nancy Allison (left) and Joan Thornthwaite, both of Milton, assemble one final sandwich. The pair have catered the event since 1959. Photo: Richard Davison
Nearly 60 years of sandwich-making has tempered appetites for the classic snack, say a pair of volunteer caterers from Milton.

When Tokomairiro Ploughing Competition stalwarts Nancy Allison and Joan Thornthwaite first put butter to bread in 1959, it was simply in the spirit of ''lending a hand'' while their husbands competed, Mrs Allison said.

Little did they know they would still be trimming crusts almost 60 years later, at their final competition on the Allison farm just west of Milton earlier this month.

Now it was time to ''call it a day'', Mrs Allison said.

''Back then we would have laughed at you if you'd told us we'd still be here in the kitchen. That's not to say we haven't enjoyed ourselves over the years, but nowadays you feel it in your back, so it gets to be more of a challenge bringing it all together.''

Feeding up to 50 hungry ploughmen and judges every autumn had been no mean feat, Mrs Allison said, with sandwiches just the start of it.

''Joan makes soup, and then there's a nice, warm stew for the colder months, with swede, potato and peas, and carrots from Joan's garden. You really know it when you've been peeling all those potatoes.''

Apple shortcake and ''gallons'' of tea and coffee typically completed the bill of fare, with other ''refreshments'' provided by the competitors themselves.

''Yes, the cold stuff they usually bring along themselves, but not to be drunk until afterwards.

''Otherwise the furrows aren't as straight as they might be,'' Mrs Allison said.

Sandwiches were provided for afternoon tea, with traditional fillings such as cold cuts, egg, cream cheese and tomato favoured over ''anything fancy''.

''They don't much go for dainty cucumber sandwiches in neat triangles.''

The pair's efforts had been celebrated at a surprise ceremony in Milton after their final competition on May 12, Mrs Allison said.

''That was a bit of a surprise as we weren't really expecting anything. It's just been a pleasure to have met so many lovely people over the years and done our little bit to help.''

richard.davison@odt.co.nz

 

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