Dannevirke: New show hall delights

Brian Beale, president of the Dannevirke and Districts A&P Association in the new produce hall that replaces the old hall built in 1916 and demolished last year. Photo/Christine McKay

Birds, of the feathered variety, aren't welcome in the newly built produce hall at the A&P Showgrounds.

After years of battling feathered invaders and poo-encrusted rafters, Brian Beale, president of the Dannevirke and Districts A&P Association, is delighted a new hall will be ready for this year's 104th show.

"If any birds get in here, look out," he warned. "This new building is coming together very nicely and is a great asset for us."

The old hall, built in 1916, funded by donations and debentures, had been home for the home industries section of the Dannevirke and Districts A&P Show, but with its rafters coated with bird poo and the paint peeling, it was time for something new and shiny and Mr Beale is thrilled with the replacement.

"The old produce hall was just that, a place for the produce and craft displays, now we can take the staging out following the A&P show and this new hall will have other uses," he said.

For Pam Henricksen, vice-president of the A&P Association and head of the home and industries section at the show, the new building will make show days much easier.

"I just love it," she said.

"It's much roomier and of course, the birds have gone. I'm looking forward to the show now and hoping for bumper entries."

Mrs Henricksen said she was thrilled with the speed with which the building has gone up: "Brian (Beale) is just great. He gets things done."

The impressive 20m x 18m building includes a toilet block and kitchen and will also house the spinning and fleece judging at this year's show, which opens on Friday, January 31.

Built with sponsorship from generous local benefactor Gwen Fairbrother and grants from the Eastern and Central Community Trust and the Monty Fairbrother Charitable Trust, the hall gives the A&P Association members more options.

"You know, all around the country the smaller provincial A&P Associations are getting to the stage where their buildings are bordering on the derelict," Mr Beale said. "Here we've a relatively new grandstand, other new buildings and now this fantastic hall and our grounds are rated very highly by all in the equestrian world, they just love coming here. It says something about our organisation."

However, Mr Beale acknowledged his organisation couldn't succeed without generous sponsorship.

"It's a huge help and a lot of local businesses also support us very well," he said.

While the produce hall has been built by Dannevirke builders Mitchell and Greatbatch, Mr Beale (a plumber by trade) has taken up a hammer and drill to construct the perspex-fronted wooden trestles that will be used by exhibitors at the annual show.

"They can be stored away when not in use, giving us more flexibility and the building has been designed to allow the eastern wall to be taken out if we ever want to build an extension," he said.

Schedules are on-line for entries in the Home and Industries section of the show and prospective entrants can also ring Mrs Henrickson on 06 374-9937.

The Dannevirke and Districts 104th A&P Show is on Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1, with equestrian events continuing on the Sunday. The new produce hall will be opened at 7pm on Friday.