A golden night of shear delight for all

Songs from the shearing sheds made their way into Masterton on Thursday as part of Songs in the Shed held at Aratoi to celebrate the Golden Shears.

The event was organised by Cedric Percy, of Masterton South Rotary Singers, and Mena Antonio, of Toi Wairarapa, and held in the in the Wesley Wing at Aratoi.

It was held as part of Shear Fest, a new festival to celebrate Golden Shears.

Entertainers included Masterton South Rotary Singers, Stefan Brown and Sweet Clippers.

Ms Antonio said more than 100 people of all ages turned out to sing along and they were pleased.

"For a first event, it went really well."

The idea behind the event was to encourage audience participation.

"The audience came along and they were ready to sing," said Ms Antonio.

"All of the items were really audience-friendly so people were really singing along to those."

She said many people commented positively on the variety of songs and acts. "It was really good," she said. "It goes to show that there's a segment of the community that it appeals to.

"I already see ways to improve it and make it an even more involved event."

Ms Antonio said the Sweet Clippers, made up of members of the well-known shearing Riwai-Couch and Fox families, did especially well with their kapa haka and waiata performances.

"They were performing waiata which they would have sung in the sheds," she said.