John Innes was president in 1980 with Fred Fleming, 1st Vice, and Henry Van Dorp, 2nd Vice. New directors were:
Roy Hancock, manager of Woodstock Chamber of Commerce
Bev Wallace, secretary manager treasurer of Woodstock Fair
John Hargreaves
Wilfred Corp, and Ed Eddy, having served on the Board for many years, were elected honorary directors.
Les Dickson and Bill Weatherston were voting delegates to the February Convention in Toronto.
The publicity committee for the 1980 match paid the accommodation of Oxford Queen of Furrow Cheryl Ann West while at the convention.
A junior match and coaching day was held at Fred Fleming farm, Lot 2, Conc.8, east side (9th Line) on August 29th for Oxford County residents only. The Blenheim plowing group was invited to attend.
A junior class for boys and girls (20 years and under) and a Queen of Furrow contest was held.
Each contestant was given $15 and a pass to the 1980 IPM. Ray Montague was the judge. Kevin Weatherston, thirteen, was the youngest plowman.
Debbie Eddy was named Queen of the Furrow to represent Oxford at the 1981 IPM in Simcoe County. Secretary Leroy Scott ordered the 1980-81 Queen of Furrow sash, and had the prize lists printed.
Woodstock Fair
Fair ambassadors in 1980 were referred to as dairy princesses because they were sponsored by the Milk Producers Association. Mary Ann Van Wyk was Oxford's Dairy Princess. At the CNE she placed third (out of 10 competitors). Mary Bradfield won the Ontario princess. She was the daughter of Gordon Bradfield, a plowman, judge, and dairy farmer from Peterborough. Mary Ann is married to Doug Peart, a competition plowman, dairy farmer, and director of Holstein Canada. The Peart family live near Hagersville.
The Drumbo Fair Queen of 1979, Barbara Schell represented Blandford Blenheim Queen of the Furrow in the 1980 IPM.
Sept.11, 1980 was Media Day; Lorne Henderson, Ont.Agriculture Minister and farmer from Lambton County, plowed with horses and a walking plow. He stated that agriculture is the heart of the province.
The Ayr News featured a story of Will Barrie, with a Gray plow at his home. Mr. W. C. Barrie was 96 in 1980, an honorary director of OPA. Mr.Barrie plowed at the first North Dumfries match held in 1908. He was an OPA director from 1913 to 1963; two of those years—1918 and 1919 —he served as president. He was Canadian judge at the World match in Sweden in 1955. Fourteen countries competed in the event, two from each country. Northern Ireland won the championship and Canada came second.
In 1942, Mr. Barrie escorted Ontario's two best plowmen (from 1941) across Canada:
Marshall Deans from Paris, and Elmer Armstrong from Stratford. At media day press conference Barrie presented agriculture minister Lorne Henderson with one of his gavels set in a wooden plowshare. A photo of Marshall Deans' land was taken in Western Canada; Barrie's handwriting dated the back of photo June 24/1942. The photo was sourced from Mrs. Bill Fleming, Embro. She is grandaughter of W.C. Barrie.
The Chamber of Commerce president Ron Totten was pushing for industrial promotion in Woodstock. Mr. Totten's photo, taken with Albert Walker, brings memories to Oxford.
Beware of a man who is always smiling. Albert Walker was too smooth, too nice. Walker, by 1994, was charged with embezzlement of public funds through his company Walkers Financial Service. After fleecing many farmers and retirees of their life savings he was later charged with theft, and the murder of Ronald Joseph Platt in England, two years later. He was one of Canada and Interpol's most wanted.
The Board of Education gave students a day off school to attend the 1980 IPM, only if accompanied by their parents and a note confirming their attendance.
Sept.19
Govenor General Ed Schreyer presented Terry Fox with the Order of Canada. Terry Fox made every Canadian aware of what they were capable of.
Sept.20
The new community centre of Oxford Centre was opened. The $232,000 price tag was financed by a $57,000 grant from provincial ministry of parks and recreation; a $129,970 insurance claim; and $45,000 of township tax dollars.
Sept.21
The United Way sponsored a brunch at Fairview Centre. The guest of honour was Bobby Hull. Hull spent the 1952-53 hockey season playing for the Woodstock Jr.B Warriors, at the same time he attended Grade 10 at W.C.I.
Sept.23, SR, pg. 1
At 3 a.m. a "twister like storm" took down the International Harvester tent at the IPM match site.
The quilt show was held at Fanshaw College (the County Home farm on the 11th Line).
It attracted 120 entries, 10 with an IPM theme and 110 other quilts from all corners of Oxford. Security at the College was round the clock.
The Grace Patterson Institute (Thamesford) entered their quilt. The quilt was designed, green on green; it was worked on for 8 months, first in homes, and then in Westminster Church during the last 3 months of hard slog. The design was a map of Oxford County measuring 72X90 inches as specified in contest rules, garnering 98 points out of 100 to claim first prize. It was put up for sale and purchased by Mrs. Dave Woods. Being a native of Oxford she appreciated its significance and the work that went into it.
Govenor General Ed Schreyer presented Terry Fox with the Order of Canada. Terry Fox made every Canadian aware of what they were capable of.
Sept.20
The new community centre of Oxford Centre was opened. The $232,000 price tag was financed by a $57,000 grant from provincial ministry of parks and recreation; a $129,970 insurance claim; and $45,000 of township tax dollars.
Sept.21
The United Way sponsored a brunch at Fairview Centre. The guest of honour was Bobby Hull. Hull spent the 1952-53 hockey season playing for the Woodstock Jr.B Warriors, at the same time he attended Grade 10 at W.C.I.
Sept.23, SR, pg. 1
At 3 a.m. a "twister like storm" took down the International Harvester tent at the IPM match site.
The quilt show was held at Fanshaw College (the County Home farm on the 11th Line).
It attracted 120 entries, 10 with an IPM theme and 110 other quilts from all corners of Oxford. Security at the College was round the clock.
The Grace Patterson Institute (Thamesford) entered their quilt. The quilt was designed, green on green; it was worked on for 8 months, first in homes, and then in Westminster Church during the last 3 months of hard slog. The design was a map of Oxford County measuring 72X90 inches as specified in contest rules, garnering 98 points out of 100 to claim first prize. It was put up for sale and purchased by Mrs. Dave Woods. Being a native of Oxford she appreciated its significance and the work that went into it.
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| The ladies who designed the quilt: Top left:Annabel Weir; Top right: Mary Larder; Bottom left: Kay Ross; Bottom right: Estelle Hutchison; Absent was Kay Patience |
After many efforts to use something that symbolized the dairy industry, Mrs. Richard Hiscocks came up with the idea of Kernel Korn for a mascot. The costume cost $600, purchased from a Toronto firm. Seven seed corn companies donated $200 each for the purchase and subsequent costs of the outfit. Kernel Korn was a hit with many young children; he (she) walked beside the float during appearances at schools and fairs. High school students from Woodstock and Ingersoll played the Kernel because of their availability and enthusiasm. Sheila Hammerton, 15, R.1, Woodstock wore the mascot uniform on Media Day. In Nov.1980, it was donated to the Oxford Museum in Woodstock.
Sept.26
The Sentinel Review published the Souvenir Edition of the 1980 IPM.
175 contestants registered to plow 800 acres; there were 640 exhibitors in 110 acres of tented city, together with $40,000 in prize money.
A Farmstead and Home Improvement Contest was held (5 Classes), also called Rural and Urban Beautification Contest.
Melvin Ball, R.5, Woodstock was the chairperson.
The judge and photographer Arthur Grubbe had quite a task picking the winners. He spent three weeks on the road looking at farms and homes, taking photographs before and after the competition for comparisons.
In the first four classes, the judge looked at all entries on July 1, 1979, then returned in July the following year to see what changes had been made. Awards were presented at the Norwich Community Centre on Sept.10.
The winners were:
Most Improved Farmstead: 1. Warren Stein, 2. Bruce Raymer, 3. Glen Pletch
Most Improved rural home: 1. Douglas Wallace, 2. John Wallace, 3. Walter Schaefer
Most attractive rural home (improved) 1. Dr. R.J. McDonald, 2.Floyd Good, 3. Roy E. Bennett
Most attractive farmstead (improved) 1. Grant Innes, 2. Frank Vink, 3. Bill Muir
Special town of Ingersoll most improved home: Lorne Moon
Special township awards to entrants receiving no other prize:
Zorra- Eugene Ross
East Zorra-Tavistock- Ron Brenneman
Southwest Oxford- Hank Schroder
Norwich- Gerry Huinik
Blandford -Blenheim- Stan Becker
A 15,000 square foot complex of three pole type barn structures displayed Oxford County's heritage and natural resources (dairy; beef; hogs and baby pigs; horses; goats; sheep and poultry). The exhibits were sponsored by Oxford County Council.
The entrance of the complex was very impressive said committee chairman Ken Kitchen.
The display was arranged so visitors would have to tour each building, rather than one separate part of the display.
The match opened with two nice weather days, finishing with two and a half days of cold wet weather that cut attendance.
A piper was scheduled for the banquet Friday night at the Oxford Auditorium, but he was stuck in the mud at the match site.
Kitchener Dairies catered for the banquet.
Mr. Bingeman and staff supplied the following (all for $8 per person):
waitresses
gratuities
tablecloths
china
silver
a 80 ft. collapsible stage
steps
drapery
extra tables and chairs
plate warmers
Thirty-eight guests were seated at the head table with an extra guest table on the main floor. The guest table stage had steps placed in the middle of it leading down to the lower stage, this being used for Queen of Furrow presentations and the plowmens awards.
All stage and head tables were draped.
A special awards table for trophies was placed to one side of the lower stage with chairs available for the recipients of different awards.
The Queen of the Furrow car was located at the front entrance of the hall.
The Woodstock Horticulture Society donated the flowers for all tables: 6 large candle arrangements for head table, and bud vases for 68 tables on the main floor.
A roast beef dinner was served to 1750 at 7 p.m. Rev. Gordon Gillingham said Grace. Mr. Jack Burghart, CFPL newscaster, was M.C. Mr. Jim Orr provided organ music, and guest soloist was Mrs. Lois Bradfield. It was the largest banquet ever held in Woodstock's history.
There were 27 contestants competing for the title of provincial Queen; The Queens plowing competition was held the day before (Thurs). A banquet for them was held at the Princeton arena at 6 p.m. (by invitation only), followed by the Plowmens Ball, sponsored by the Junior Farmers, was held at the Embro Arena at 9 p.m. Music was provided by Walter Ostanek.
Cheryl Ann West represented Oxford in the 1980 IPM Queen of Furrow; Barbara Schell represented Blandford Blenheim.Colleen (Epp) Peat represented Perth. Marie (Thomas) Miller, Cookstown, Simcoe Cty.was crowned 1980-81 Ontario Queen of the Furrow by outgoing queen Peggy (Kniez) Kipfer 1979-80. Runner-up was Ann Fraser from Peel Cty.
Keith Robinson, Cookstown, was grand champion plowman.
The provincial Queen wins free use of a new car for one year to travel Ontario attending fairs, parades, county plowing matches, banquets, conventions, committee meetings promoting the IPM and agriculture. Any queen will confirm it was the greatest experience of her life.
These photos provided by
Margaret Dale.
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| List of Sponsors |
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| Plowing banquet, trophies,Walters band |
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| Mary Ann Van Wyk, 1980 Art Dale, of Oxford Milk Producers who sponsored the competition; the whole of |
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| Co-op display at the 1980 IPM |
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| Barbara Schell (left)for Blenheim plowmens Cheryl Ann West (right) for Oxford |
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| Executive Local Committee:Front row-l to r, John Hofstetter, Cliff Matthews, Garnet Peck, Weldon Burrill, John Summerhayes. Back row- l to r, Bill Weatherston, Les Dickson, Ray Dedman. |
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| The queens had inclement weather for their plowing competition on Thursday. Cheryl Ann West is 2nd from left; Barbara Schell is 5th from the left. |
The gracious ladies were dined at the Princeton Community Centre at 6 p.m. then entertained by the Junior Farmer Plowmen's Ball.
and Walter Ostanek Band at Embro Arena 9 p.m.
Next day (Fri.), they gave their speeches at 2p.m. followed by awards banquet at 6p.m. in the Oxford Auditorium.and Walter Ostanek Band at Embro Arena 9 p.m.
