North Canterbury News: March 14, 2024

the home oF curtains, blinds,
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10 North
Cheviot Show shines
By JOHN COSGROVE
NEWS
Canterbury News, March 14, 2024
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One of the highlights of the first Mt
Beautiful Cheviot A&P Association Show
in three years was the shearing
competition .
Waipara shearer Sam Thomson says
there were many good sheep in the flock
chosen for the competitiondespite it being
dry and hot in the district.
There was standing room only in the
shearing shed and the cosiness of the
crowd and the competitorsmade it
pleasant for Norwegian shearer Emilia
Meling, competing in her second only
event.
The part time bee keeper says she
started as awool handler and was looking
for awinter job to tide her over so she
learned how to shear sheep.
‘‘My family back home in Norway think
it’s really cool that I’m working as a
shearer, it’s not awell known profession
there but I’m having so much fun working
for Angus Moore.’’
Gore bay camper Izy Van Hout says she
loved bringing her family to the show as it
was agood country show more focused on
the community than the bigger ones closer
to Christchurch.
Cheviot A&P AssociationShow co­
Presidents Emma and Chris Mulcock were
impressed with support and generosity of
the Cheviot community.
Chris says ahighlight for the couple was
how the community embraced the theme
of ‘Grow Cheviot’, with their entries and
exhibits.
‘‘This was shown by the Little Oaks
Cheviot and The Treehut pre­schools
jointly winning the Exhibit of the Year
Award. Amention also has to go to the staff
of Scottfresh who performed atraditional
Vanuatuan dance in the entertainment
area.’’
Emma says she too was impressed with
Fine cut ... Norwegian shearer Emilia
Meling in action at the Cheviot A&P Show.
PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE
the Vanuatuan dancers cultural display as
it added asparkle to their entertainment
line up.
Chris says the Cheviot community was
looking forward to the show after two years
away.
‘‘This was proven to be the case with an
excellent crowd of locals and visitors
attending.
‘‘There was alot of work done by many
people leading up to and on the day, but
special mention must go to our secretary/
treasurer Lorraine Gardner and past
presidents Lynda and Phil Dickson.’’
Plans are already in place for the 2025
show, but the show committee is still on
the lookout for people for the role of
president and vice­president.
More Photos on Page 31
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Country Fair attracts 1000s
By JOHN COSGROVE
The blisters will heal, the loss of sleep
forgotten, but the memories will last alife
time, says Swannanoa Country Fair
spokesman Regan Finch after last
weekend’ssuccessful event.
‘‘The weather was really great, it
helped us host between seven thousand
to 10,000 people on the day.’’
He says many stayed for the wide
variety of entertainment the organisers
had put on.
‘‘I loved watching the performances by
the Swannanoa School children. Their
Jump Jam and Kapa Hakagroups were
well receivedbythe huge crowd of
spectators gatheredaround the stage
area.’’
He says anotherhighlight was watching
the smiles on the children’sfaces when
the Swannanoa Volunteer Fire Brigade
created ahose salute of water for all the
children to run into and play under.
‘‘The traffic was handled magnificently
by the contractors, and our volunteer
staff.
‘‘The demand for parking meant we
had to open up two new paddocks which
we have never done before.’’
Regan says the various stalls, food
centres, drinks and ice cream vendors,
white elephant sale, auctions and raffles
were all very busy, and the blisters he
earnedonhis feet rushing about between
them were well deserved.
‘‘I’ve lost alot of sleep over the days
leading up to this great show so I’m
hoping for arest this week, but we are
already planning for next year’s fair.’’
Paul Andrew, of Mandeville, spotted an
upright piano for sale for just $20 at the
White Elephant stall.
‘‘As soon as Isat there at the keyboard
someone asked if Icould play Queens’
Playing for Freddie ... Paul Andrew, of
Mandeville, amazed onlookers when he
successfully played Queen’s Bohemian
Rhapsody for the crowd on this upright
piano for sale at the Swannanoa Fair white
elephant stall.
PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE
Bohemian Rhapsody, so Idid,’’ he says.
The musical interlude in the shopping
attracted many spectators including Mel
Ellen, of Rangiora, who says the fair was
awesome and there were many bargains
to be had.
Lee Williams, of Swannanoa, says the
fair was agreat community event as
everyone puts in agreat effort to make it
so special.
More Photos on Page 13