Mahurangi Matters_A&P Show BOOKLET_18 January 2017

150

th

ANNIVERSARY 1867 - 2 017

COM E A LONG AND SEE THE SHOW SATURDAY & SUNDAY 28 & 29 JANUARY, 2017

Dedicated to the rural pioneers of Mahurangi, and the men and women who have supported the Warkworth A&P Show in its various guises over the past 150 years.

Published by Mahurangi Matters, on behalf of the Warkworth A&P Society.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, without prior permission of the Warkworth A&P Society.

Editorial – Sally Marden Design – Martin Tomars Sales – Cathy Busbridge With thanks to Warkworth & Districts Museum for the use of their archives.

While every endeavour has been taken to ensure the information in this book is accurate, the authors, publishers and A&P Society accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person using the information contained in this book.

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WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD

By Mark Macky President, Warkworth A&P Lifestyle Show It is with great honour that I pen a few words as part of this celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Warkworth A&P Society.

For a community it is always important to look at where we have come from before we look forward towards where we are going. For Warkworth and the surrounding areas we look to our agricultural, pastoral and pioneering heritage. From the settlers who broke in the land, to the farmers, horticulturalists and now lifestylers who live on the land and form a huge part of who we are.

Our community is going to grow and will change a lot in the next 20 years, given our location on the doorstep of Auckland. Keeping hold of our history and heritage, and holding on to our rural roots will be very impor tant.

Warkwor th is urbanising, but we need to remember where we have come from, and celebrate that where we can.

I hope to see you at the Show – it will be a great weekend!

The A&P Society, and the Show itself, plays an important role in this. We stand on the shoulders of our forebears who have built a great Show, and the community needs to step up to continue the legacy that they have created.

These things can be too easily lost, and once gone you never get them back.

The community support has been incredible getting behind the 150th Warkworth A&P Show – and to those sponsors, supporters and volunteers I thank you sincerely.

A particular mention to Marjorie Blythen who has been a tour-de-force behind the Show for an enormous number of years as our secretary. Also a big thank you to Jannette Thompson and her team from Mahurangi Matters for pulling together this celebratory programme – our community is lucky to have you.

This year the Mahurangi Sports Collective, an organisation combining the various sports clubs in the district, is running a ‘top-town’ type event on Sunday, 29 January, at the Showgrounds to help celebrate the 150th anniversary. It should be a great day out and we encourage you to come along and enjoy the fun.

We need to continue to build support for the A&P Show in Warkworth; only a few years ago we were at risk of not seeing our 150th – any ongoing support would be greatly appreciated. If you are keen to help out and can assist in some way we would love to hear from you.

I hope to see you at the Show – it will be a great weekend!

Helping the Warkworth community negotiate the planning minefield for over 15 years Congratulations to the Warkworth A&P Society for their success in being one of the longest running and most successful A&P Societies in New Zealand CONTACT OPC at 5 Lilburn St, Warkworth 0910 – PO Box 591, Warkworth 0941 P 09-422-3336 E admin@opc.net.nz W www.opc.net.nz 150 YEARS OF A&P

3

CITY’S RURAL HEARTBEAT

A SIGNIFICANT RURAL EVENT

By Phil Goff Mayor of Auckland

By Mark Mitchell Member of Parliament for Rodney

The dominant images of Auckland are of central city office-scapes, suburban bungalows and our spectacular harbours and parks. It is easy to forget the role agriculture plays in our city.

It gives me great pleasure to be asked to write on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Warkworth A&P Lifestyle Show. It was noted in its centenary year as being one of the oldest agricultural societies in the Dominion.

From the farms of Rodney and Franklin to the vineyards of Kumeu and Matakana, Auckland counts nearly 80% of its landmass as rural land and 120,000 Aucklanders as members of rural communities.

Auckland’s rural economy is vital to the prosperity of our city. It is important for employment and its products contribute to our country’s multi-billion dollar primary export industry.

At this time of unprecedented growth for our city we need all members of our rural communities to step-up their engagement with Council, speak-up and work closely with us.

We want rural communities to be vocal on important issues, work together to accelerate important projects for your areas and continue to enshrine events such as A&P Shows, and the connections they foster between urban and rural residents, into the lifeblood of our city.

So during this Warkworth A&P Show, take time to celebrate the achievements of our rural economy and its people, and let’s work together to maintain rural Auckland’s vital place in our city.

The A&P Show as an institution is such an important part of the tradition and identity of our country and has been very successful in bringing urban and rural communities together.

A unique meeting of Town and Country to showcase the best of livestock competition, skilful equestrian displays, wood-chopping competitions, sheep dog trials, right through to exhibiting the finest jams and preserves, arts and crafts, and children’s handiwork.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the show committee and their supporters who remain committed and work tirelessly as volunteers to keep this important, educational and exciting show alive. Our annual A&P Show is an integral part of our country’s story and history.

This year’s show is going to be special and significant for us all with a wonderful programme and I am looking forward to seeing you there.

Congratulations A&P! A very happy 150 years and may you enjoy many more All the very best from our team to yours

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WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

AN ENDURING EUROPEAN TRADITION

By Geoff Smith President, Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand Warkworth was founded in the mid-1800s. Early settlers developed orchards on land too poor for crops but later developed dairy and sheep herds. In 1920 the first dairy factory was established. Pioneer families who came to the new land eventually made the land productive and contributed to the country’s agricultural economy.

When European settlers arrived from England, they brought with them Agricultural & Pastoral Shows, which became a significant part of life in New Zealand. The first one in Warkworth was held in the main street.

These shows were important events in the community calendar where farmers brought their stock to shows to exhibit their stockmanship and animal husbandry. This was where others made decisions which stock to breed with to improve the quality and productivity of their own farm stock. A&P Shows were the shop window for agriculture in New Zealand, and Warkworth was no exception, established in1867 even before The Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand (RAS). It would have been the most significant event of the year in the then small rural community.

Warkworth Show is a member of RAS, which was

established in 1924. Its purpose was, and remains, to promote the development of agricultural, pastoral, horticultural, stock-raising and forestry resources in New Zealand. It is one of the few organisations in New Zealand with a ‘Royal’ charter.

The RAS is the governing body of 96 Agricultural & Pastoral Associations and creates an umbrella organisation for the A&P showing movement in conjunction with 69 Breed Societies, the United Breed Society and the Horse Stewards Council.

Congratulations to all those involved in staging the Warkworth Show over the last 150 years, especially the many volunteers and exhibitors who have combined to maintain this exciting community event.

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SPLENDOURS OF THE PAST

By Allan Barber Chairman, Warkworth & Districts A&P Lifestyle Show Warkworth & Districts Agricultural and Pastoral Lifestyle Show, to give it its full name, celebrates its 150th anniversary over Auckland Anniversary Weekend with a two-day show which used to be the norm, but not for about 40 years.The committee decided that reaching such a notable milestone was a good excuse to try to recreate the splendours of the past.

Another important decision is for the equestrian competition to be designated a Royal Event for the 150th which increases its importance in the annual circuit and attracts more entries. The duration and format of the anniversary show is proof of the relative prosperity of the A&P Society after it was heading slowly downhill six years ago, because of the after-effects of the global financial crisis and loss of a major sponsor.

This caused a rethink of the relevance of A&P Shows in the 21st century when the majority of the population lives in an urban centre and families have so many choices about how to spend their leisure time and money. It was clear lifestyle blocks were absorbing agricultural land around Warkworth and the nature of the local population was changing.

When the committee acknowledged the A&P Society’s worsening financial situation, we decided we had to let the local residents know there was a risk the show might not even survive until its 150th anniversary. The response

MAHURANGI MATTERS

Show compere Te Radar (left) with Show chairman Allan Barber.

was immediate – people were genuinely concerned at the possible loss of a local institution and proved very willing to help, either financially or physically.

The two main aspects of the recovery programme have been to adjust the nature and format of the annual show, reflecting the changes to our target market, and to increase income.

We have been very fortunate to gain Bayleys as our principal sponsor which has not only provided much needed cash, but also marketing and promotional assistance, especially charity auctions which have attracted support from local businesses donating auction items and individual supporters who bid on them.

This year we are thrilled to welcome back the Wharehine Group as joint principal sponsor, as well as the support

1867

NEWS FLASH BRIEFS

NZ SOLDIER AWARDED 8 February – Her Majesty Queen Victoria has made a declaration that the local armed forces of New Zealand are now eligible for the Victoria Cross and today, Charles Heaphy became the first solider to receive this highest award for gallantry. He receives the award for his gallant conduct at the skirmish on the banks of the Mangapiko River, in New Zealand, on the 11th of February, 1864, in assisting a wounded soldier of the 40th Regiment, who had fallen into a hollow among the thickest of the concealed Maories. Whilst doing so, he became the target for a volley at a few feet distant. Five balls pierced his clothes and cap, and he was wounded in three places.

6

February 17

First ship passes through the Suez Canal.

• March 16

COROMANDEL GOLD RUSH August – After months of rumours and disappointment, miners have finally struck gold in Thames. Our correspondent reports that tiny flecks of the prized mineral have been found in the rock face of a waterfall in Kuranui Stream. Prospectors are now swarming to the Peninsula in the hope of discovering the quartz reefs that will make them their fortune.

First publication of an article in The Lancet by Joseph Lister outlining the discovery of antiseptic surgery.

• May 20

British parliament rejects John Stuart Mills’ proposals on women’s suffrage.

• July 9

ALASKA SOLD March 30 – America has purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. The Treaty with Russia was negotiated and signed by Secretary of State William Seward and Russian Minister to the United States Edouard de Stoeckl. The price paid for the 586,412 square mile region means the US is paying roughly two cents per acre of land.

An unsuccessful expedition led by E.D Young sets out to search for Dr David Livingstone (Scottish missionary and explorer).

WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

of many other local businesses and families including Masons Contractors, Wilson Hellaby, Stihl Shop, Coresteel, Hutchinson Consulting Engineers, Rodney Lime Company, LJ Hooker, Paper Plus Warkworth, Lake Road Quarries, the Scandrett family, Chocolate Brown and notably Mahurangi Matters, which has given tremendous support in the Call Greg or Doug promotion of the show and the preparation of the 150th commemorative booklet. The Rodney Local Board has also Visit our web site THEN responded very positively to our request for a significant grant to assist with the hire of a number of the large items needed to run the show.

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Other successful fundraising programmes 343 in recent years Rodney St Wel have included several film nights at the Matakana Cinemas manager@poland when we have been consistently able to sell enough tickets to fill the two largest cinemas; and, one year, the committee decided more money could be made by buying and rearing cattle than was available from the bank deposit which, with Dean and Marjorie Blythen’s expert farm management, proved successful, although they had to graze them for a bit longer than expected!

... [the show] must respect its history while modernising ...

The A&P Society has had to acknowledge a few realities in the past few years – the show competes for the consumer dollar and must provide value for money entertainment or it will lose public support; it must engage with its supporters and provide a return for the money and time they invest; and it must respect its history while modernising its offering to reflect the 21st century’s changes. Above all, it must be financially viable.

NOW

For the 150th we have been fortunate to secure Masons Contractors as sponsor of the children’s sideshows which for the first time will be provided free of charge. We are tremendously grateful to Masons for enabling us to do this and are optimistic it will attract more members of the public and their children through the gate. In 2017 everybody is welcome to attend both days of the 150th show at no extra cost.

The progress made in recent years to bring the show upto-date with current trends has been achieved alongside those traditional elements that everybody expects at an A&P show – cattle classes, equestrian competitions, sheep shearing, sheep dog demonstrations, wood chopping and the trade section where local businesses exhibit their products and services.

At the 150th show there will also be a history of the show, presented by the Warkworth & Districts Museum, lawn mower racing, a multisports competition organised by the Mahurangi Sports Collective, gumboot throwing and the Parliamentary Car Rally. All of this will be compered by our much loved personality MC, Te Radar.

The Warkworth A&P Society is in good health and looks forward to celebrating many more years at the local community’s A&P Show. I look forward to seeing many of you at the showgrounds at Auckland Anniversary Weekend to enjoy the 150th Warkworth A&P Lifestyle Show.

150 YEARS OF A&P

Congratulations to the Warkworth A&P Lifestyle show on their 150th Anniversary.

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VINTAGE WHEELS REVISIT COUNTRY ROADS There’s a special treat in store on Day Two of the 150th anniversary A&P show, with a rally of 42 veteran cars arriving at the Warkworth Showgrounds on Sunday morning, January 29.

The historic cars will be parked on display while their owners and passengers visit the show and have lunch, with the tour set to hit the road north again, en route to Mangawhai, Waipu and Whangarei, around 12.30pm.

The century-old vehicles are taking part in a centennial re-run of the Parliamentary Tour of the ‘Winterless North’ of 1917.

The rally will include vehicles from throughout New Zealand, as well as cars from Australia and the United States. However, the oldest car to take part is very local indeed – a 1904 Cadillac owned and driven by veteran car enthusiast Doug Hamilton, of Scotts Landing. He’ll be driving the little red 112-year-old car to the showgrounds, but will start the rest of his drive north from Wellsford, to avoid the steep hills, sharp corners and constant traffic through the Dome Valley. Another local entrant, coincidentally also from Scotts Landing, will be Grahame Power in a dark green 1917 Studebaker.

The original event involved a delegation of more than 100 politicians, trade commissioners, roading officials and reporters on a two-week trip to witness the appalling state of the roads between Auckland and the Far North.

And they certainly found them – at least 23 cars came off the road or got bogged in mud, broke axles and suffered punctures, and most participants spent as much time heaving cars out of trouble as travelling inside them. Many cars were abandoned before the end of the trip.

Organisers of the 2017 Winterless North Tour are following the same route as the original, but are hoping for a much less eventful run than their predecessors. They plan to be back in Auckland in just nine days and a number of sitting MPs will be travelling as passengers.

The rally will leave Devonport early on Sunday morning and should reach the showgrounds around 10.30am, travelling via Woodcocks, Falls and Hudson Roads, in a bid to minimise congestion through the traffic lights in Warkworth.

Doug Hamilton's 1904 Caddie

Ian

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FOUNDING FATHERS RECOGNISED SHOW’S IMPORTANCE

It has long been thought that the first recorded mention of the Mahurangi and Matakana Agricultural Society was a brief reference in the New Zealand Herald to “the first Mahurangi Fair”, a cattle sale held in Warkworth on March 8, 1867.

for this special anniversary publication has revealed that there is indeed a definitive record of the formation, foundation and establishment of the Mahurangi and Matakana Agricultural Society, which can now be added the A&P’s history.

Official society and show records from then have long been lost or destroyed – many during a fire at a newspaper office in Warkworth where they were stored in the 1940s – and local history books written last century are vague on the subject. T. F. Otway’s History of Warkworth claims that the Agricultural Society was founded “in the same year” as the cattle fair, while Jack Keys’ Mahurangi – The Story of Warkworth maintains that “we do not know whether the society was formed in 1866 and first held a show in the following year, or whether the first show was in 1868”.

The first hint that settlers might have been thinking about forming a local agricultural society is found in an article in The New Zealander (January 28, 1863), which mentions plans to build a public hall for Mahurangi.

However, recent extensive research of newspaper archives

OLD

“Such a building, too … might be used as a resort for the discussion of agricultural topics by the agricultural society which every farming district should seek to establish,” the writer opines.

By September 1866, local farmers were getting themselves organised and R.C. Dyer wrote to the Papakura Agricultural

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Association asking for a copy of the rules.

In October, a meeting was held at the Mahurangi Public Hall “to take into consideration the advisability of forming an agricultural society for the districts of Mahurangi and Matakana”, and a committee was appointed and reported back two weeks later.

By that time, the deed was done, as the NZ Herald reported in its November 19, 1866 edition.

“A meeting was held in the Public Hall, on Saturday last, November 3rd, for the purpose of forming an Agricultural Association … It was unanimously determined that: ‘In the opinion of this meeting the time has arrived when it is desirable to establish an agricultural association – to be called the Mahurangi and Matakana Association”.

The following were elected (to the committee): Messrs Angove, Cruickshank, Dyer (2), Guthrie, Hill, Palmer and Thomson.

“No time was lost, for they at once commenced operations and resolved to hold a ploughing match on Tuesday, December 4 in a paddock placed at their disposal by C. H. J. Hill, Esq. It is their intention to institute an annual show for the exhibition of live stock and farm produce, and markets or fairs, at such periods as may hereafter be thought most suitable.”

The new society’s first event, the ploughing match, “proved a most successful affair”, with four horse teams and a continued next page

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bullock team competing, followed by a “first-rate dinner” at Southgate’s Hotel in Warkworth.

“The tables did not groan, but they were well filled with many and various dishes – roast beef, mutton, turkey, duck, fowl, ham, &c., with all sorts of vegetables, after which came plum pudding and tarts ad lib., all the produce of the district,” the doubtless replete Herald correspondent reported.

Cattle rustling and a degree of dissension in the ranks were on the association’s minds at their next quarterly meeting in January 1867, as the Daily Southern Cross reported.

was held on Wednesday, November 13th, at Southgate’s Green,Warkworth.The clerk of the weather was not in a good humour that day, the morning was fine but in the afternoon down came the rain.The attendance was not large, nor yet were the number of stock sent in. Hill & Pulham held a sale immediately after the show and disposed of some cattle, cheese, hay-rakes, flails, &c. At 4 o’clock about 25 sat down to an excellent dinner in Southgate’s Hotel, the usual toasts were given and speeches made, and so ended the show.”

And so began Warkworth’s A&P long and illustrious show history, still going strong 150 years later.

“The attention of the society has been drawn to the manner in which cattle have been latterly disappearing, and the committee intend to see what steps can be taken to put a stop to it, as the losses sustained by some of the farmers are becoming serious.

It has been determined to hold a special meeting in the schoolhouse, Matakana, on Saturday, February 2nd, when I trust the slight misunderstanding which has arisen between the two districts may be cleared away, and that like a lovers’ quarrel it may tend more firmly to establish that friendship and cordiality which should exist between such near neighbours.”

The ‘Mahurangi Fair’ (i.e. cattle sale) was held on March 8, then the organisation arranged Warkworth’s first proper, albeit small-scale, agricultural show, which was staged outside the hotel in November 1867, as reported in the Herald.

“A show of horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, produce, &c., under the auspices of the Mahurangi and Matakana Agricultural Society

Congratulations to the Warkworth A&P Lifestyle Show.

Here’s to another 150 years!

12

WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

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MAINTAINING A FAMILY TRADITION haven’t altered.

A&P Society Patron Ian Ferguson’s involvement with the show dates back some 70 years, from when his family bought a dairy farm near Warkworth, in Woodcocks Road, in the 1940s.

“The show hasn’t really changed – the horses still jump hurdles, the cows still get looked at – it’s just got bigger and bigger. There used to be just one big ring with the horses and everything, so I’d sit on the side by the speakers and talk about everything that was going on.

But now it’s so big that everything has its own ring or area.”

“We always just went to the show and my Dad, Jim Ferguson, got involved and he became Chairman of Committees,” he recalls. “Then when I was 15 or 16, I started working different days. I organised the speaker system and did the commentary for different shows.”

The Fergusons’ involvement with the annual show didn’t end when Jim sold the farm and bought a business in Warkworth. Indeed, if anything, they became more involved in the show and farming life in general.

“After we sold the farm, Dad bought the local garage and engineering business where the Mobil service station is now and he always had a stand at the show with Land Rovers and Peugeots.

“It was called Ferguson Engineering and

14

Show Patron, Ian Ferguson.

became Warkworth Motors. It was all farm business – we shod horses and milled things, and built stock trucks, sledges and drilling machines. Then farmers wanted their vehicles looked after so we started doing tractor repairs. From there we moved into trucks and cars.”

Needless to say, Ian has seen a few changes at the A&P show in his time, though he says the fundamentals

Just like his father, Ian became a key member of the A&P’s organising committee and remains a society stalwart, as is his wife, Jennie, the show’s treasurer. However, he is characteristically modest about his considerable contribution to the successful running and development of the show over the years.

“Oh, I went on the committee at some stage … years and years and years ago,” he says. “And then I finally got to be Patron. It’s a good job – you don’t have to do anything at all!”

WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

LONG-SERVING SECRETARY BOWS OUT It is said that no-one is indispensable, but in the case of the Warkworth A&P Society, there is one member who comes pretty close.

Marjorie Blythen has been not only secretary, but the driving force behind the annual shows and society business for more than 30 years. However, this year’s two-day event, the 150th show, will be her last, and the search is on for a new society superhero to take on the many and varied tasks that she has handled for so long.

Marjorie first became involved in the Warkworth show after she married husband Dean (another long-term show stalwart, and former president) and began competing in the home craft section. After a couple of years, she joined the Ladies Committee, then the general committee and was, for a time, on the northern district council of the Royal Agricultural Society. In the 1980s, she gradually took over the role of secretary and treasurer.

“The job involved dedicating about

150 YEARS OF A&P

Marjorie does all this in addition to the small matter of the year-round daily demands of the Blythens’ beef cattle and sheep farm and all the work that entails, plus a few other local committees and commitments, as well.

The indomitable Marjorie Blythen will be a hard act to follow.

a fortnight either side of the show, attending monthly meetings and paying the odd bill throughout the year,” she recalls. “Now, it’s nearly a year-round job. It takes about three months to get a show completely wound up, and you have to start making bookings for the following year almost immediately.”

And that’s without organising all the schedules, stewards, judges, entries, prizes and payments, not to mention the numerous increasingly demanding and complex permits, consents and licences required by various authorities.

One of the biggest changes, and challenges, of Marjorie’s A&P tenure has been the transfer of the showgrounds from the society to Council, which took 13 long years of negotiations. She has had to steer the society through several near closures since then, as past income sources dried up, such as leases from local organisations like the rugby, pony and kennel clubs, and being able to raise stock on former paddocks that have since become pitches.

“There have been two or three times when I’ve called a Special General Meeting to decide the future of the show,” she says.

“Our only income comes from the show and that’s why we need sponsors like Wharehine and Bayleys – without them, there wouldn’t be a show.”

15

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SHOWGROUNDS’ TENURE SECURED In February 1883, the Mahurangi and Matakana Agricultural Society received a letter from Nathaniel Wilson at the Crown Lands Office in Auckland.

“I have the honour to inform you that the Land Board has already resolved to recommend that the land at Mahurangi, to which you refer, be set apart for the following purposes, viz: 1) Ten acres for a cemetery; 2) Twenty Four acres for agricultural show ground; and 3) the balance for a public recreation ground.

The Chief Surveyor, I may add, has been requested to have the lands surveyed for the objects stated.”

Although the 10-acre cemetery never materialised next to State Highway 1, the Warkworth Showgrounds land certainly did and ‘24 acres and 30 perches’ was granted to the Society on April 1, 1884, as published in the New Zealand Gazette that year.

The final and formal acquisition of the land “in trust to a Showground” took place in 1899, and the following year,

a token $1, with the agreement that it would make improvements to the grounds for community use and the A&P would retain seven days a year to stage its annual show.

Warkworth’s annual agricultural show moved out from the town centre to its new home, where it has been located ever since. Over the years, the showgrounds have been home to a number of local businesses and organisations, including Warkworth Transport (which used the old pavilion as its HQ in the 1980s), Mahurangi Rugby Club, Warkworth Hockey Turf Trust, Kowhai Art & Craft, Rodney Kennel Association and Warkworth Pony Club.

The land remained in the hands of the A&P society until 2003 when, after years of negotiations, it was sold to the former Rodney District Council for

In recent years, the Rodney council and then Auckland Council have instigated a multi-million dollar development programme. This is transforming the old paddocks and rugby fields into purpose-built sports fields, pitches and courts, with state of the art floodlighting, toilets and playground

It’s all a far cry from when cattle used to graze on the paddocks ... facilities, and a multi-sport complex planned for the future.

It’s all a far cry from when cattle used to graze on the paddocks.

Congratulations to the Warkworth A&P Lifestyle Show on 150 outstanding years!

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HORSE RIDING WARKWORTH • • • • • • •

Quiet horses and ponies Farm & Forest treks Birthday rides Lessons available Social or family groups English study tour groups Holiday and weekend horse riding camps • People with disabilities welcome • Near Sheepworld, Matakana and Goat Island

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

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ATTRACTIONS FIT TO SUIT Organisers of the A&P show realised decades ago that, as the population increased and interests diversified, visitors needed something more than horses, farm animals and home produce to keep them amused on show day.

money in the hay’, sand modelling and a calf or wether (that’s a castrated male sheep) riding competition. Saturday, by contrast, was a relatively sedate affair, with pioneers’ corner, industrial exhibits and an art display.

And, over the years, the A&P society has come up with a diverse range of attractions and activities.

In the early years of last century, it might not have been much more than the traditional Grand Parade of animal and vehicle exhibits around the main showground, plus a few side shows, but there were also luncheons, dinners, shows and balls before, during and after each show. There were also popular ‘guess the weight of the animal’ contests.

From 1954 until 1990, a two-day show was held, incorporating a Friday night Carnival and, in later years, a full-scale funfair. Attractions included boxing and judo displays, tug-of-war contests,

150 YEARS OF A&P

Maori concerts, talent shows and visits from radio and TV personalities.

A glimpse at the Centennial Show programme from 1967 reveals a fascinating line-up of entertainment on the Friday evening: a gymnastic display, an underwater lecture (though who, if anyone, was actually underwater is not revealed), marching girls, and a fire fighting display. The children weren’t forgotten either. There was a ‘hunt for

By the 1970s and 80s, tastes were turning to more high adrenaline attractions. Light aircraft and helicopters buzzed the showgrounds; skydivers parachuted in from high above; sparks flew as rescue teams cut open wrecked vehicles; and packs of police dogs jumped through fire and attacked (well-padded) ‘criminals’.

In more recent times, assorted historical displays have become popular, from vintage engines to handshearing demonstrations, as well as dancing displays, sheep racing, military arts challenges and traditional team games and races for all ages. And in 2017, new attractions at the special two-day anniversary show will include lawnmower racing and a gumbootthrowing contest.

19

EXPERIENCED JUDGE REMINISCES Looking back over old show schedules and programmes, it’s often the same names that appear year after year, whether as contestants, stewards, judges or show supporters.

was invited to become a steward and later trained as a show judge. From the 1960s until just three years ago, she was always on hand to help coordinate entries and exhibits, act as steward and judge.

One such stalwart is Warkworth’s Lorraine Hatfull, who has taken part in the show in various capacities for well over 60 years.

“My first memories of the A&P shows were as a schoolgirl,” she says. “I remember walking to the showgrounds for a day’s fun with friends.”

But it was when she married Arthur Hatfull, in 1950, that she began attending in a more serious capacity.

He was becoming increasingly interested in breeding and showing their Jersey cattle so they joined the Rodney A&P Society, as it was then, and Lorraine got involved in the roles and rituals of preparing animals for parades and show judging.

Lorraine Hatfull

“Facilities were pretty basic and I remember when the first Cattle Pavilion was built with a small area for making tea and lunch. It wasn’t anything flash, but it included a kitchen where we could make tea and scones for the exhibitors. This brought all the cattle breeders together and was a real milestone.”

Through her involvement with the Indoor Section – the gardening, cookery, art, craft, knitting, sewing, children’s classes and so on – Lorraine

“I went on to judge at A&P shows around the district – Wellsford, Paparoa, Helensville and Puhoi – and in the Bay of Islands and on Waiheke Island. It was very enjoyable and interesting to see other people’s work.”

Lorraine says interest in the indoor sections has faded somewhat in recent years, with very little sewing and embroidery, although knitting has become popular again, and gardening and floral art have never gone out of fashion.

Now in her mid-80s, Lorraine has relinquished her many roles at the show, but remains a Life Member of the society.

ALL RURAL FENCING SUPPORTS A&P

150 years sees many improvements

Contact Malcolm 0274 477 062 20

WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS MAPS INSIDE

SATURDAY JANUARY 28

SUNDAY JANUARY 29

COMPETITION • • • • •

Equestrian Breed Classes: Hunter Jumping Classes and Carriage Driving Classes Dairy & Beef Breed Classes, Dairy Goats Young handlers cattle classes, Calf Club Indoor home-craft, produce and crafts Shearing Competitions-Blade Shearing

COMPETITION • • • •

ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAINMENT • • • • • • • • • • • •

Performing Arts Group, Live Music Warkworth Wellsford Pipe Band Museum Display – vintage cars WW2 Memorabilia & Vehicle Display Displays: Fire Service, St Johns, Coastguard Gumboot throwing – Golf pitching Adults & Children’s Scavenger Hunt Side shows Shearing – wool spinning – blade shearing Sheep Breeds display Ride-on Mower Racing – (rodeo arena) Auckland Museum WW1 Centennial Display (Go online and search for past family members) • Kids make your own Anzac Day poppies • Sheep 'n' Show – Ewe Racing • The Amazing Bubble Man FREE INFLATABLE AMUSEMENTS

Demonstration & Display Shearing, Equestrian Flat Classes: Side Saddle Demonstration and Donkeys & Mules Classes Interbreed Beef Breed Cattle Classes Western Riding Club (rodeo arena)

• • •

Mahu Sports Collective – Challenge Performing Arts Group – 2 sessions Start for re-enactment of the 1917 Parliamentary Tour of the North • Blade Shearing & fun shearing competitions • Auckland War Memorial WW1 Display • Kids make your own Anzac Day poppies • Museum Display – vintage cars • Adults & Children’s Scavenger Hunt • Sheep Breeds Display • World War II Memorabilia & Vehicle Display.

• Live Music • The Amazing Bubble Man FREE INFLATABLE AMUSEMENTS

WARKWORTH SHOWGROUNDS SH1, WARKWORTH Equestrian Competitions

Events Show facilities Parking / access Food & retail Trade stalls

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Ranch Horses Show office

Cattle Show Rings Dairy Goats

(Sun Only)

Warkworth

Z Station

WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW - SATURDAY & SUNDAY 28 & 29 JANUARY, 2017

MAIN ARENA Toilets

St Johns Tent

Trade

Food and drink

Shade tent

Trade

Trade Boat Display

Trade

Trade

Free Kids Amusements

Water Balls (Zorbs)

Multi Sport Challenge (Sunday Only)

Toilets

Free Water Slide

Main Stage

Sheep Racing

EFTPOS Announcers

Rugby Club Hospitality & Toilets

Vintage Cars

Military Memorabilia

Museum Tent

Indoor Exhibits

Village Markets

FOR SHOW UPDATES AND INFORMATION VISIT WWW.WARKWORTHAANDPSHOW.COM

Proud principal sponsor of the

Congrats on the 150th and here’s looking forward to the next 150 years. staunch & committed supporters of our local community Bayleys Warkworth 41 Queen Street Warkworth

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CHILDREN’S CLASSES CHANGE WITH THE TIMES Some of the keenest competitors at any A&P show are children, whether they’re showing a calf, dressing up as pirates or fairies, or entering any of the 50-plus classes in the ever-popular Kids’ Corner Indoor Exhibit Section.

Generations of local youngsters have spent their summer holidays scouring the schedules and coming up with crafty creations, then excitedly entering the big marquee – or shed, as it was in the old days – to see if they’ve won a prize and some money to spend at the showgrounds.

As with the show generally, the number and type of classes have had to move with the times, as a glimpse at the schedules from 1967 and 2017 illustrate.

Fifty years ago, there were more than 30 classes for handwriting (printing and cursive), art, craft, science and maths, but all the work had to have been done at school.

Otherwise, there was Junior Needlework, Junior Knitting, Junior Flowers and Junior Cooking, all aimed squarely at girls and young women, bar a few classes for the under 12s where boys were allowed to have a go.

Standards were pretty high, with girls expected to be able to make such things as a dress, a smocked item, tapestry or a doll in national dress in needlework, or knit an item of clothing, a lined tea cosy or a hot water bottle cover. In

WARKWORTH

AUTO WRECKERS FOR ALL NEW & USED PARTS CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW ON YOUR 150TH ANNIVERSARY

cookery, judges were looking for three types of biscuit – a jam sponge sandwich, queen cakes and scones, among other things. In Junior Flowers, however, demands were a little simpler, and here we find the one class that has survived half a century and is still in the schedule for 2017 – a sand saucer, where little hands arrange flowerheads and foliage on a saucer full of damp sand.

... these days, young bakers are allowed to use a packet cake mix – unheard of 50 years ago!

This year, there are more than 50 classes for under 8s, 9-12s and 13-16 year olds, with a broad range of subjects.

There is quirky floral art in containers such as an egg cup or a jar full of weeds, plus woodwork, jewellery, photography and art, both handmade and computer generated. Children can also grow salad crops, make novelty fruit and vege items or create an article from waste material. And there is still cooking, of course, although, these days, young bakers are allowed to use a packet cake mix – unheard of 50 years ago!

artforhospice Warkworth Wellsford Hospice is building a community day hospice in Warkworth.

Patients and families from Puhoi to Mangawhai will have free access to nurse-led clinics, day respite care, day programmes and specialised therapies close to home.

We invite you to support this vital community project by purchasing a handcrafted feather which will form part of The Embrace.

This unique artwork by Sarah Brill will be hung in the building as a symbol of the all-embracing care that hospice offers those who are living with a life-shortening illness.

WE NEED CARS FORID WRECKING – $$$ PA Ph (09) 425 7835 or (09) 425 7730 2 Glenmore Drive, Warkworth 150 YEARS OF A&P

To find out about donation options P: 425 9535 E: lesley.ingham@hospicehouse.org.nz www.warkworthwellsfordhospice.co.nz 25

HORSES RETAIN STRONG SHOW PRESENCE When the first agricultural show was held in Warkworth in 1867, and people’s main means of transport was equine, not even those early settlers could have envisaged just how extensive and important horses and ponies would become to the show 150 years later.

The equestrian section has grown to the point where it now accounts for well over half of all total entries, with more than 340 classes and events spread over two days and its own separate 24-page schedule. There are at least seven sections for individual horse and pony breeds, plus donkeys as well, and countless different ways the animals can be judged: by height, age, appearance, experience, performance, manners, you name it.

... being granted ‘royal’ status is particularly special ...

This year, to mark the show’s 150th anniversary, the equestrian section has been granted RAS Royal Event status, meaning that all Supreme Champions will receive coveted red, white and blue sashes that are only awarded at Royal shows and events.

It’s all a far cry from the early days, when horses were very much working animals, used for transport and farm work

rather than leisure activities, as an old schedule from 1947 illustrates – Class 1 was for ‘General Purpose Farm Horse (to be ridden)’ and there were only a handful of other categories.

Twenty years later, at the 1967 Centennial Show, there were 19 horse classes (though only for hacks, hunters and jumping) and 23 pony classes, including one for Tiny Tots, Cleverest Pony Hunter to jump fences directed by stewards, and Best Decorated Pony & Rider, and everything was held in one spot.

For the 150th show, 26 sections will be run in five different rings with at least 200 horses expected to compete, including several breeds and categories that are showing for the first time – Shetlands, Gypsy Cobs, Morgans and a harness category – plus the return of Arab horses after an absence of several years. For the first time, Warkworth will also be running special Off the Track Thoroughbred classes, where race horses swap the race track for the show ring to compete as part of a national series of events.

Chief steward Genette Churches has been running the Equestrian section, with the help of husband Warren and daughter Kristi, for more than 22 years.

“When we first took over the reins, the show ran on one day with three rings, and about 80 to 90 horses competed,” she says. “These days, we run over two days with led and breed classes, lead rein, first ridden and round the ring jumping on

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Saturday and our core flat ridden classes on the Sunday.”

Proud to support the 150th Warkworth A&P Lifestyle Show

In addition, the January equestrian programme will continue on the Monday to cater for local equestrian groups, including Warkworth Pony Club and the Warkworth Dressage Group, with the Ranch Horse Club and the NZ Donkey and Mule Association held on Sunday. The Matakana Miniature Horse Group will also attend.

Ginette says being granted ‘royal’ status is particularly special for the anniversary and she is looking forward to a fantastic event in January.

“Our show has gone from strength to strength, with a lot of top riders coming, some from as far away as Kaitaia and Cambridge,” she says. “What’s really lovely, too, is that we’re seeing a generational connection to the show, with the children of former competitors now competing.”

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27

MAHURANGI, THE PLACE TO FIND A WIFE! From “Local Gossip” in the New Zealand Herald, February 16, 1895: A visit to the Rodney Agricultural Show at Warkworth last week revealed to my mind that a man in search of a wife could not do better than go to Mahurangi to procure what should be the beau ideal – if such a term may be used towards the fair sex – of a good help mate. Any man so situated has only to look down the Show’s prize list to see this for himself. In the first place, the best apple pie was made by a single girl. Two single young ladies took both prizes given for the best got-up white shirt. The prizes for the best four articles of ladies’ underclothing, which I notice were unnumerated, so that I cannot particularly describe them, were two single girls; so, also, for the best plum cake, the best scones, and the best home-made bread. Single ladies also made the best knitted and darned socks for the men. Here’s encouragement and good news for bachelors.

“Then, as proof that the Mahurangi girls’ good qualities do not deteriorate

after getting married, I may mention that two matrons received prizes for the best children’s pinafore and two others for the best bed quilts. Then, as further evidence that they are capable of attending to their husbands’ get up and spruceness, I saw that married ladies took first and second prizes for gentlemen’s button-hole flowers.

“The married and single ladies divided the honours in the churning of butter, while to show that there is no ‘frivolity’ about the sex in Mahurangi, there was not a single aspirant amongst them for the prize for the best gentleman’s smoking cap. No, a man who marries a Mahurangi girl will have to turn the peak of his field cap round to keep the sun off the back of his neck, and so improvise a smoking cap for himself when he wants to go about with a pipe in his mouth.

“Then, single ladies took first and second equestrienne honours for taking the hurdles. It was remarked that they took their jumps as coolly and as “matter o’factically” (sic) as a Scotchman takes

his whisky. I did not have the pleasure of seeing any of the Mahurangi ladies in divided skirts on bicycles, but judging from their tout ensemble, I do not think any of them would require these “adornments” I described a week or two ago as forming part of a lady cyclist’s attire, and described as of “all wool … for the purpose of adding shape and beauty”.

“A man in search of a wife neglecting Mahurangi, might go farther and fare worse.”

Join us and Join and helpuskeep help up keep the up the good work good for work the for the next 50next years 50 years

For 50 years of the For 50years yearsyour of the 150 150 years your

Rotary Club Rotary Club has supported Warkworth has supported Warkworth

We meet at the famous Bridge House We meet at the at 6pm each famous Bridge House Thursday evening. at 6pm each Thursday evening.

WA R K W O R T H

WARKWORTH 28

WA R K W O R T H

Phone 09Phone 423 0200 09 423 0200

WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

Congratulations to the Warkworth A&P Lifestyle Show on their 150 year anniversary

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for stylish clothing

THEN

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Warkworth & District Museum Congratulations to the Warkworth A&P Lifestyle show on 150 years of history

NOW

GABY’S HAS DEVELOPED OVER ALMOST 25 YEARS, AND HAS CHANGED WITH THE TIMES TO CONTINUALLY PROVIDE A VARIED RANGE OF APPEALING AND FASHIONABLE WOMEN’S CLOTHING. WE CONGRATULATE THE A & P ASSOCIATION ON THEIR 150 YEARS OF HISTORY AND WISH THEM EVERY SUCCESS FOR FUTURE SHOWS.

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CONGRATULATIONS WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW ON YOUR 150TH ANNIVERSARY from

Open 7 Days, Monday to Sunday

Serving the local community for the last 28 years

Summer hours 10am – 4pm | Winter hours 10am – 3pm

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LIFESTYLERS BRING CATTLE SHOW CHANGES

The voice of experience will once again be at the microphone in the cattle section this year, in the form of cattle breeding expert and former Royal Agricultural Society president Bruce Orr. Bruce is a long-time livestock genetics manager for PGG Wrightson and he has been coming to Warkworth and acting as cattle ring announcer for around 15 years. He says he’s looking forward to seeing some quality animals

for the 150th anniversary show.

He’s seen a lot of changes in his time at Warkwor th and many other shows, including a slight decline in the numbers of cattle being shown overall. Even three or four years ago, you would find several sections for individual breeds such as Dexter, Highland and Hereford, at Warkwor th. However, in 2017, apar t from a Maine Anjou section, classes are divided simply into British and

European breeds for beef, and ‘all breeds’ for dairy.

“The big change to cattle at Warkworth has been the diminishing number of Herefords,” he says. “They used to have a very strong section and now there probably won’t be enough to have their own ring. Young lifestylers haven’t taken Herefords on, but they’re still the breed of choice used by dairy farmers for giving added value.”

Bruce points out that while some breeds

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW ON 150 OUTSTANDING YEARS

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WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

fall away and become less popular, there are always new strains of cattle coming through to take their place.

“It’s cyclical, and we’ll get a strong showing at Warkworth this year,” he says. “I can remember 20 to 30 years ago when there were a lot more people showing mainstream cattle, but there are other breeds coming in such as Speckle Parks and Pinzgauers.

Breeds come and go, and there’s no one-size-fits-all for shows.”

He points out that a lot of larger farms that could support a pedigree herd have all but disappeared these days.

“There’s been a big change of land use, particularly around Auckland.

Farms have been split up, with lifestyle blocks that have two or three cows, a goat and a few ewes. Small blocks are not conducive to having a herd of registered pedigree cattle.”

exhibitors,” she says.

Both Liz and Bruce are encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by the next generation of cattle handlers, whether in the calf club or young handler sections.

2017

“The dairy and calf club is very strong still,” Bruce says. “In the northern half of the North Island, calf club and children’s handler is a real feature at all shows, which is good, as they are our future.”

“What’s special about Warkworth is that it’s a nice country show, people are friendly and it’s a chance to catch up with people. It’s a really lovely show.

Usually we’ve just had a one day show, but this year it’s two days, with Dairy on Saturday and the start of Beef, then Beef going into Sunday, which is going to be quite exciting.”

And both are looking forward to making the most of the twoday 150th anniversary show.

Chief cattle steward Liz Butcher says that showing cattle is not an easy job either, so some farmers may not exhibit every year.

“This sounds a bit silly, but I’m usually so busy with the cattle that I’ve never had time to walk right round the show, so I’m looking forward to that,” Bruce says.

“It’s a really big commitment by

Liz agrees.

2017

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150 YEARS OF A&P

31

REFLECTIONS OF EARLIER SHOWS Newspaper reports of A&P shows over the past 150 years can throw up fascinating, and sometimes bizarre, glimpses into what life was like for Mahurangi residents. The Daily Southern Cross reported on the very first Mahurangi and Matakana Agricultural Show on November 13, 1867.

“It is a pleasing task to record the progress made in the district of one’s adoption; and certainly Mahurangi has of late been making rapid strides to the fore, her last step having brought to her a cattle show.Three years ago Mr Meikle was the only farmer in Mahurangi who owned a flock of sheep; now there are several. Five years ago one of the settlers, who was the fortunate possessor of a pair of horses, made a very good thing by going round to plough for his neighbours. Now nearly every farm can show its team, whilst several boast a useful nag.”

The sheep shearing class took a while in 1867 – 40 minutes was allowed per animal!

“The winner was within an ace of being a loser, 39 minutes having expired before the sheep was turned adrift without his jacket.The work was pretty, but the time would never do for general work.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW ON REACHING 150 YEARS 1985

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since 1888 For all of your property needs in the North Rodney area: Harcourts Tandem Realty North Limited The correspondent had other pithy observations, too. On the butter class: “The judges seemed to experience greater difficulty in making up their minds in this class than in any other. From the trouble they took, and the repeated tastings which they found necessary, they will, I should think, eschew butter for some time to come …”

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And on the after-dinner speakers at that very first show: “Mahurangi oratory is not what it should be. I will therefore not inflict upon your readers an account of the speeches.”

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Alternative medicine Probably the most surprising class in the 1870s and 1880s was for Opium Poppy Heads. The drug was commonly prescribed at the time for pain relief and to ‘improve the mood and induce sleep’; indeed, Governor Sir George Grey was known to be an enthusiast. At the 1875 show, Mr Moat, MPC, offered a prize for the best half pound of opium grown in the district, and even offered to give opium seeds to anyone wanting to try it as a crop, and a class was still in the schedule in 1881.

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33

SHEEP PLAY THEIR PART IN RURAL DISPLAYS Sheep are involved in show day in a number of diverse and diverting ways, from competing in ewe races, being shorn in the shearing competition, or rounded up and penned during the sheepdog trials.

However, it’s many years since they were shown and judged.

Show secretary Marjorie Blythen says classes stopped about 15 years ago and were never a huge part of the show in the past 30 years or so.

“There are not a lot of big sheep stations or farms in the area,” she says. “We did have small breeders in the area, but people have retired, and times change. We’ve got sheep on the farm ourselves, but they’re hard work up here, because of the climate and things like fly strike.”

Shearing is a real crowd pleaser, especially for visitors who have never seen a sheep shorn before ...

It was a different story at the Centennial Show in 1967, when there were more than 40 classes for Romney Marsh, Southdown, Cheviots, Other Breeds, Fat Sheep and Wool.

For the 150th anniversary, the shearing pavilion, which was opened in 2011, will be the main focus for ovine activity,

34

with competitive and display events on both days.

Renowned shearing judge and competitor Neil Sidwell will again be running the section, just as he has, bar a break for a few years, since 1976. There are five main classes – the Robert Hudson Memorial Open, Senior and Intermediate, and the George Scandrett Memorial Junior and Veteran – plus a Local, Junior Local and Open & Novice Shear.

Neil says shearing is a real crowd pleaser, especially for visitors who have never seen a sheep shorn before. “It’s a new experience for a lot of foreign tourists and they think it’s great entertainment.”

One man who may be steering clear, however, is celebrity compere Te Radar, who was persuaded at a recent show to take to the stage and ride a stationary bicycle that drives Neil’s unique pedal-powered wool clippers.

“I hate that machine. I hate it,” Te Radar says, vehemently.

“I’ve told them I’ve hurt my back and I can’t do it, which is technically true. I don’t even like riding a bike at a gym, which I don’t do anyway, but that thing nearly killed me!”

WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

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While local sheep numbers have declined, the A&P Society’s dairy goat section has thrived and expanded in recent years.

More lifestyle sections have also brought alternative (and often smaller) animals such as alpaca and other more unusual livestock to the shows.

In 1967, at the Rodney Agricultural Society Centennial Show, there were only six dairy goat classes, and all for female animals. In 2017 there will be 27 separate categories for does, young stock and bucks, including Goatling, Buckling, Kidded Doe, Dam & Daughter, plus a prize for Best Udder.

Not just any old nanny or billy can be exhibited at the show, however. All entrants have to be registered with the NZ Dairy Goat Breeders Association (NZDGBA), and Royal Agricultural Society of NZ goat exhibition bylaws apply.

There are five breeds of dairy goat in NZ, all of which are

Not just any old nanny or billy can be exhibited at the show ... expected to appear on the Saturday of the anniversary weekend – floppy-eared Anglo Nubians, black and white British Alpines, pure white Saanens, brown and white Toggenburgs, and a New Zealand breed, the Sable, which can be any colour, so long as it’s not more than half white.

The section usually attracts around 40 goats from exhibitors throughout the Auckland and Northland regions, and a panel of experts will judge them on their overall condition, how they behave when led, and breed typicality.

Show steward Carol Plumpton is a former NZDGBA president and has nearly 40 years experience in breeding goats. She says no matter how long someone has kept goats, there is always something new to be learned and the showgrounds are a great place to meet like-minded people and get some advice.

150 YEARS OF A&P

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POLISHED SILVERWARE GETS AN AIRING Alongside the box files, books and show signage that fill the Warkworth A&P Society office and meeting room, there is an unexpected sight – high on a metal shelf are around 50 magnificent silver trophies, cups and vases.

This remarkable collection of silverware consists of many of the major trophies and prizes that were once awarded at the annual A&P Show. Sadly, they are no longer presented.

Exhibitors often come from well outside the district and trying to keep track of and retrieve so many cups is no longer practical.

However, they do get an occasional airing in the run-up to the show but not before three volunteers spend the best part of six hours on them with the Silvo and polishing cloths.

... a big sack split open and a large silver cup, complete with lid, fell out ...

One particularly magnificent cup has an extra special history – and its return to the society was very much a surprise.

Show secretary Marjorie Blythen recalls receiving a knock on the door a couple of years ago.

“A man was standing there and he asked, ‘Are you the show secretary?’ I said, ‘Yes, that’s me,’ and he gave me this

great big cup.”

He turned out to be a bulldozer driver at the Napier City tip, and one day while he was bulldozing rubbish, a big sack split open and a large silver cup, complete with lid, fell out.

When he took a closer look, he found that it had been awarded for ‘Most Points in the Romney Section’ in 1927 and came from the Rodney Agricultural & Pastoral Show.

“His father used to work for the Sandspit Motor Camp and when he was about five years old, the house cow had a calf and he took that calf to the show,” Marjorie recalls.

“Apparently he won the third prize Royal Show ribbon, so he knew Rodney and that’s why he brought the cup home, and we were thrilled to have it returned.”

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WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

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Present Current committee members are: John Sanderson, Ian Ferguson (Patron), Warren Churches, Jennie Georgetti, Genette Churches, Louise Graham, Lorna Sanson, Allan Barber (Chairman), Marjorie Blythen (Secretary), Ambrose Palachie, Jennie Ferguson, Mark Macky(President). Absent: Barbara Larsen, Neil Sidwell, Kerry Tannion.

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PLEASE PROOF ARTWORK CAREFULLY

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accura above artwork carefully for any errors, as Moving Together cannot accept responsibility for any errors not identified b To APPROVE simply SIGN and fax back on 03 442 8791 or alternatively scan and email back.

To make AMENDMENTS email back with the changes youEarly would likeLearning clearly outlined. Centre

Please note the following artwork guidelines: Minimum font size 7pt. Ads must be marked by stroke, colour or gradient. We accept the following fi MARKET BROADENS SHOW Where learning and discovery nurtured nature Images and non-vector logos must be high-resolution suited to the offset printing process (300dpiare or greater – If belowby 300dpi, we do not take respons We do not accept Excel, Publisher or Powerpoint documents. All proofs are sent at low resolution, therefore pics and logos will be blurred but will no Colour Disclaimer: Please be aware that colour may vary between on-screen, laser printouts and final printing. If a specific colour is required, plea APPEAL values. We print in CMYK colour mode and are not responsible for any colour shift that occurs in conversions from PMS/RGB to CMYK colour mod

not guarantee colour matching or ink density on JPEG or PDF screen proofs. Screen proofs will predict image proportion and placement, but not c

PLEASE PROOF ARTWORK CAREFULLY Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accura

As the regional population grows and diversifies, PLEASE CHECK: the A&P has had to adapt to stay relevant and enter taining to as 1 Branch Name / Spelling wide an audience as possible. One 2ofAddress its most recent Print Name Signature innovations has been a market area3 for quality ar ts, Phone / Fax Numbers I hereby agree that the above artwork is accurate to my specifications and I authorise publication of this presentation folder. The principal shall indemnif crafts, local produce and vintage items – a/ Web logical step in all claims in respect of any alleged infringement of copyright, trademark or design, in consequence to the use of the front cover of the presentation folde 4 Email Addresses a region that is already famous for its many farm, village and vintage markets.

APPROVED / PROCEED

above artwork careful y for any errors, as Moving Together cannot accept responsibility for any errors not identified b To APPROVE simply SIGN and fax back on 03 442 8791 or alternatively scan and email back.

To make AMENDMENTS email back with the changes you would like clearly outlined.

The A&P’s Market Lane area will run alongside (and partially occupy) the indoor section display tent in the main show arena. Stallholders will be selling a wide range of quality items, with the emphasis being on hand-made or home-grown. Jewellery makers rub shoulders with soap and skincare producers, established artists sell alongside fruit and vege growers, and retro collectors retail next to garden art creators.

Please note the fol owing artwork guidelines: Minimum font size 7pt. Ads must be marked by stroke, colour or gradient. We accept the fol owing fi Images and non-vector logos must be high-resolution suited to the offset printing process (300dpi or greater – If below 300dpi, we do not take respons The Market Lane stewards, Brenda Howson and Kathy Roscoe, do not acceptrunExcelthe, Publpopular isher or Powerpoint documents100% . All proofNZ s are family sent at low owned resolution, th&erefoperated ore pics and logos wil be blurred but wil no are old hands at such events, having We previously Warkworth Artisan Markets held on summer weekends in the 425 0511 • 33 Glenmore Drive, Warkworth town centre.They say their A&P market isDirun along similar Col o ur s cl a i m er: Pl e ase be awar e t h at col o ur may vary betweenwww.natures-nest.co.nz on-screen, laser printouts and final printing. If a specific colour is required, plea lines and the many other quality markets in the region. values. We print in CMYK colour mode and are not responsible for any colour shift that occurs in conversions from PMS/RGB to CMYK colour mod 150 YEARS OF A&P 37 not guarantee colour matching or ink density on JPEG or PDF screen proofs. Screen proofs wil predict image proportion and placement , but not c

A&P TRADITION CONNECTS GENERATIONS For many local families, taking part in the A&P show is a tradition and one that goes back several generations.

Long-serving stewards and judges speak fondly of seeing children coming through to compete in the same classes as their parents, and even grandparents, did before them, whether they are showing cattle, riding ponies or, most often, making or growing something for the Indoor Exhibits Section.

That was certainly where Wendy Hooper started competing around 30 years ago, when she was a young mum in Warkworth. Already attending the show as a volunteer with St John, she decided to have a go at some of the classes.

“I probably knitted bootees first, and maybe some flowers, veges, jams … only a few things to start,” she recalls.

But she was quickly bitten by the bug, and was soon entering baking, gardening, knitting, sewing, jams and

pickles, and she still enters around 20 classes a year. Wendy also got her children involved from an early age, as daughter Brenda Howson recalls.

“My Mum always encouraged us to enter as much as we liked. My earliest memories would be of making Aqua Jars (a flower inside a jar filled with water and glitter, then turned onto its lid) and sand saucers, decorated with

flowers. They were lots of fun.”

Angela Thomas, of Warkworth, also remembers the sand saucers, and a whole lot more besides. With her late mother, Rita Smith, the Indoor Exhibit Steward for many years, she and her siblings were encouraged to enter as many classes as they could.

Her brother and Dad worked at growing perfect competition vegetables,

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WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

while Angela and her sisters baked, sewed, created and cooked a wide variety of exhibits.

“It was a tradition, and it was always exciting when the doors opened to see who was lucky enough to win the prizes, especially when there were special prizes up for grabs from sponsors.

I remember entering in the baking section quite early. We made pikelets,

It’s great for kids to experience agriculture ... an uncooked slice and school lunches – things that were relatively simple.”

Angela and her sister Delwyn won several cups in both the Junior and Senior cooking sections over the years and, when she was 15, Angela won the show’s Miss Teen Warkworth contest, too. She has fond memories of the old show weekends.

“Friday night was always exciting, especially the fairground rides. It was the warm-up to Saturday before all the animals, equestrian and the excitement

of seeing if we’d won prizes in the indoor exhibits,” she says. “It’s always been a great day, when the community comes out and you bump into people you haven’t seen for a while.”

Brenda Howson has continued exhibiting at the show into adulthood and now her children, Elijah and Autumn, are carrying on the family tradition started by their Gran.

“My kids do a bit of everything and get a real kick out of getting placings and, of course, getting prize money!”

Brenda says. “It’s a fun holiday activity to do with the kids. We scour the entry booklet for items we want to enter and get creating.”

Both Brenda and Angela think the A&P show still has an important role to play in modern life.

“As we use more technology and as Warkworth becomes more like a city every year, the A&P show is a little bit of country and a reminder of the past that we don’t have to let go of yet,” Brenda says. “It’s where kids can get stuck into the garden or kitchen (rather than the iPad) and see – and smell – farm animals close up.”

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Angela says her own children love visiting the showgrounds and entering classes.

“It’s great for kids to experience agriculture. They enjoy seeing the animals, sheep shearing and wood chopping, and it’s all in one area, so it’s pretty safe and relaxed. As I get a bit older, I would love to see it preserved.”

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150 YEARS OF A&P

39

GLIMPSES FROM THE PAST

Report of the Annual Meeting, Daily Southern Cross, March 1874

“The chairman then intimated that the meeting was competent to make any changes in the rules that might be deemed advisable. Mr Moore moved three propositions which were duly seconded: - 1.That the show-day be definitely fixed to be held a week prior to Mr Buckland’s annual sheep fair. 2.

That in future the name of the society be ‘The Rodney Agricultural Society’, and be restricted to that district. 3.That the following rules be abolished - ‘That all exhibits be the bona fide property of the exhibitors for 3 months prior to the show; and, That any animal Call: 09 411 9604 Call:09 09411 4119 Call: 09 411 9604 obtaining one first prize in any class Call: shall afterwards be excluded from that A I VD II SV II OS N I O N FOW F YWAYT AT T LT ALNADNSDCSACPAEP SE USPUPPLPI EL SI E S A D class’. OAfter considerable discussion, the meeting negatived the lot!

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WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

Bar Steward’s Report, 1984

Legal correspondence from the new secretary and treasurer, 1984

“The Bar arrangements were run on a totally different system to the ‘old traditional’, in an effort to provide a more civilised and social atmosphere for Sections and Guests etc., than that offered by using the old Bar facilities. These old facilities must be considered barbaric, and it amazes me that the Health Dept pass them for this purpose …”

Dyson, Smythe & Gladwell Dear Mr Gladwell, Just a reminder that you were going to let me have copies of all the Lease Agreements. I have now gained access to the Records Room at the Show Grounds but it has all been cleaned out. As I mentioned to you, the first report that I had was that rats had eaten all the papers. Anyway, I can assure you the new copies of the leases will be taken care of and I will not have to worry you again.

Yours, etc. Eric Robson

150 YEARS OF A&P

41

NZ Herald, February 17, 1883 - By Telegraph, from our own correspondent.

The annual Agricultural Show took place here today. Unquestionably the attendance would have been much larger had the usual band been in attendance. Its absence has

42

been a matter of general complaint.

During the day the women and children were at a loss of how to dispose of their time. The band has always been one of the chief

attractions of the show. It is hoped in future years the cheeseparing policy of the Agricultural Committee may not be a matter of complaint.

WARKWORTH A&P LIFESTYLE SHOW

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