1980

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.

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.

List of Sponsors

Oxford Rural and Urban Beautification Contest, five classes

Plowing banquet, trophies,Walters band

Mary Ann Van Wyk, 1980 Oxford Dairy Princess;
Art Dale, of Oxford Milk Producers who sponsored the competition;
the whole of Oxford were co-sponsors; extreme left is Don Weir

Co-op display at the 1980 IPM

Barbara Schell (left)for Blenheim plowmens
                        Cheryl Ann West (right) for Oxford

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.

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.

1979

Oxford County was hit with a tornado between 6.30-7.30 p.m. Aug 7. The storm traversed the IPM 1980 site from the northwest, through Woodstock, crossed Hillview Cemetery, 59 Hwy.,401 intersection. The Hobart welding factory and Oxford Centre were destroyed. The tornado then travelled through Brant and Norfolk Counties. Another funnel crossed Hwy.59 north of Hickson. The Mennonite community from the surrounding area and the U.S. rebuilt barns in a matter of weeks; there was still feed and crop to replace.
The Oxford, Brant, Norfolk Relief Fund was set up asking for funds. These were to be sent to the County Treasurer Office, County Courthouse, Hunter St.Woodstock.
The community pulled together. Education workers were expected to contribute- trustees, teachers, inside and outside workers.
Damages to Southside School was appraised at $88,613, not including cleanup which would probably amount to $100,000 (reported by M.M.Dillon, consulting engineers from Toronto, Dairyland Advertiser,pg.6).
Christ Anglican Church, Oxford Centre United, and East Oxford Baptist Church were not aided by the relief fund (Sept.6,pg 3.).
The Barbershop quartet singers and a motorbike tour was Ingersoll's contribution to the relief fund (Sept7, pg5).
All funds from a London Free Press document entitled "Tornado" were donated to the relief fund.
The Bank of Canada interest rate was raised to 12.25% (Sept8 pg.1). A GIC at the Permanent was 11.25% per year, projected to go higher. It did.
A supplement to the S.Review contained the Embro Fair program (Sept.15-17). every contributor to the relief fund from Twnship of Zorra ($475 down to $5) was published. It filled a whole newspaper page. The Mercy Bros.entertained on Saturday night.
The Cheese and Wine Festival Queen for '79 was Camilla Sutherland. Retiring Queen Cindy Paton said her role as queen gave her the confidence to speak in front of any crowd without having a piece of paper to read from.
 The S.Review of pg 8 Sept 5th stated that things were looking good for General Motors. The IPM Committee got them to sponsor a large part of the 1980 IPM.
The Chamber of Commerce sponsored a bus to the 1979 IPM for the Tuesday of the event, held on the farms of Ian Maynard & neighbours in Chatham, Kent County. The Plowmen's Association sponsored a bus on Friday, Sept.28th. A well known plowman, Shelby Williams, from Caledonia, died while adjusting his plow during the '79 IPM. Gordon Bradfield, from Peterborough, was the last man to speak to him. Floyd Forsythe and Donald Dunkeld of Zephyr were two of the first to reach his side. All efforts to revive him failed.(sourced from F.Forsythe scrapbook).
Farmers with any surplus feed or hay were donating to a feed bank (or monies) that Premier Bill Davis committed the government to multiply three times.
S.Review Oct.2nd- Charles Munro was appointed to the advisory council of the Canadian Livestock Feed Board.
A Corn night was held. A large corn cob was the mascot of the 1980 IPM.
Oxford group 79- Leroy Scott was named secretary. Don Taylor took on a new position as assistant secretary. John Innes and Leroy Scott were delegates to the OPA convention in February. Clare Hartley remained treasurer.

Directors were: W.Corps	John Hargreaves
A.Dale	R.Gilholm
J.Hofstetter	O.Fried
W. Burrill	K.Peers
R.Pullen	Don Wright
R.Hutcheson	Henry Van Dorp
Gord Eddy	Bruce Burrill
Ron Totten	John Walton
Don Taylor was auditor for 79

Don Wright passed away early September 1979.
Due to shortage of time, rather than go out and canvas for funds, members made a voluntary loan of $50 each. The following members signed:

Les Dickson	Art Dale
Gord Eddy	John Innes
Clare Hartley	Wm.Weatherston
Weldon Burrill	John Walton
Fred Fleming	Ron Hutcheson
Leroy Scott

All queen contestants were to be paid $30.
John Innes took over as president for '79.
The Businessmen's Class and Township Officials Class used a tractor and plow instead of horses as in previous years. John Innes volunteered to purchase cheese for this class as in previous years (4-5lbs).
Either John Capton or Ray Montaque was to be plowing judge, with Bruce Burril to judge the horse show.
1979 The Oxford match was held at Art and Marg Dales farm south of Curries, Saturday, Oct.13.
 George Dakin was instrumental in organizing the first antique class at the match-Class 8- for tractors and plows 30 years or older. Three years later he organized the Ontario Antique Tractor Plowmen's Association (OATPA). George obtained a charter of their own for them. Therefore, they are independant from the OPA, with members from across Ontario. Subsequently they hold their own annual plowing match and banquet.
Mrs Carl Edwards provided lunches at noon.
At the Annual meeting, Dec.11th, the treasury had a balance of $116.
Due to the IPM being held in Oxford the following year, there would not be a county plowing match. 

Embro West Zorra Fair Board and Agriculture Society

 

Arlington D. Robinson

Source: West Oxford W.I. Tweedsmuir History Book One, pg.A170 from OGS.

Arlington D. Robinson in 1951 when he was chairman of the 1951 IPM local committee (from the Official program)

1978

The 12th Annual Cheese and Wine Festival of '78 lasted nine days, from the 14^th to the 23^rd of September.

Twenty young women vied for the position of the previous year's festival queen, Heather Gordon. The Embro Fair, held Sept 16-18, was ruined by rain. The following weekend was Drumbo fair. The plowmen's association welcomed any of these girls to contest for Queen of the Furrow. Since Elizabeth Eddy was the first Oxford Queen ('74-'75), Oxford has been represented by a queen at IPM every year.

Cheryl Ann West R.1, Lakeside, represented Oxford County at the '78 IPM held near Wingham, Bruce County, on Jim Armstrong's farm and neighbours. Neil Armstrong, astronaut, opened the match. 1978 was unusually dry. Eugene Whelan said Canadians did not know what poverty is. A 5-year GIC could earn 9.75% annual interest.

Oxford plowmen's treasury had a true balance of $154.45 to start the '78 year. More publicity was required. Les Dickson became president, with John Walton,-1st Vice and John Innes,-2nd Vice. Les Dickson and John Walton attended the Convention. John Capton was the first choice for judge, and Ray Montague, second choice; Stan Wallace was to be the horse judge.
The prize money was raised to compare with other matches: $30 for 1st, $25 for 2nd, $20 for 3rd; rules were revised to reflect the IPM standards. An open split crown was required for classes 2-6 inclusive. An open split crown means that all soil beneath the crown must be moved or cut off, and ideally, still be level, with no green grass showing.

The prize money for Queen contestants was raised to $20.

John Innes purchased cheese for the businessmen's and municipal officials class, usually 5 lbs. each.

The 1978 Oxford match was held Saturday, 21 October, east of Hickson, on the farm of Allan Gunn.

Cheryl Ann West was selected Oxford Queen of the Furrow.

Two other matches held the same day cut attendance.

Harry Parrot, Ontario's new environment minister, quashed Dofasco Steel's dumping plan to use the Beachville quarry, S.Review, Sept.23rd, front page. Iron oxide pollution was his concern; Harry was also greatly involved in the 1980 IPM committee.

Arlington D.Robinson passed away July 23rd, 1978. A summary of his life was taken from Oxford W.I.Tweedsmuir History Book One pg. A170, O.G.S

The hydraulic ram article is another example of the ingenuity of the farmers who have gone before us. The ram was exhumed from the farm now owned by Jim and Daphne Morton, 11th Line, E.Zorra.

Art Dale,right, and John Hofstetter, left, corn cob mascot in centre, at Wingham, announcing the
1980 IPM for Oxford County.

Oxford display at IPM 1978, mannequin & flowers

Display 78; map of Oxford & arrow to location          

1977

Bill Weatherston remained president. Les Dickson took on the role of vice president. Each man held a position on the 1980 Oxford IPM committee, and both attended the convention in Toronto.
The 21 directors were:

Wilfred Corp	John Hargreaves	Athur Dale	Jim Richardson
Leroy Scott	Robert Gilholm	Clair Minler	John Hofstetter
Orville Fried	John Innes	Fred Fleming	Ken Peers
Ross Hargreaves	Les Dickson	Ross Pullen	Donald Wright
Weldon Burrill	Ron Hutcheson	Arthur Eddy	Henry Van Dorp
Jerry Daniel ( new member)

Reverend Ken Innes of Brussels was the judge for the 1977 Oxford Plowing Match, held on the John Innes farm, Saturday, Oct.22nd, north of Embro.

The Brooksdale United Church Women prepared 50 lunches for the plowmen at noon. The banquet was held Saturday night at the Fairview Centre.

Cheryl Ann West was crowned Oxford Queen of the Furrow.

OPA director Weldon Burrill reported that the 1977 IPM at Kingston had been a financial loss due to wet weather.

1976

The 1976 OPA had 42 directors, each one representing their county club, and an executive of ten. All directors were on action committees.

Serving on the Oxford club were: President Bill Weatherston; 1st Vice Ross Pullen; 2nd Vice John Walton; secretary Don Taylor; treasurer Clare Hartley, and OPA  director Weldon Burrill.
Harold Masson and Bill Weatherston were delegates to the OPA Convention held in Toronto (Feb.18th). Six members of the Ingersoll Pipe Band also went to promote the 1980 IPM, in the same manner as the 1951 IPM had been. The band members in attendance were: Wilson McBeath; Don Munro; Mike Hominick; Angus McGachie; Angus McArthur and Jim Muterer.

 Wilson McBeth is an Ingersoll icon and is proud to say that the Ingersoll Pipe Band is 108 years old. It is the only pipe band in N. America that own their own building, where they practise every Thursday night.

 Carol Coglin represented Oxford at the IPM held in Bruce County near Walkerton, on Earl Johnson farms, during the last week of September. She was named Oxford Queen of the Furrow again in 1976, when the county match was held at Henry Van Dorp's farm, Saturday Oct.23rd. The ladies of the Christian Reform Church and Mrs. John Werkema served lunches for the plowmen at noon.

Les Dickson announced his resignation as Mayor of Norwich Township (S.Review, Sept.20,pg.9). He was the Vice Chairman of the 1980 IPM committee.

The banquet, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, was held at the Shrine Club.

The proposed GM site on the Stuart Canfield farm depicts the urban-rural issue, still relevant today. Politicians and society in general regard our most precious resource as, 'just farmers' fields'.
Keith Currie, current president of OFA states "They don't have to farm because we are, they don't have to grow food because we are." (Ont.Farmer, pg.24A, May15, 2018.by Diana Martin) The more things change the more they stay the same.

The Burrill Family supplied horses and equipment for the horse show and businessmen's class. Weldon Burrill sold horses to six U.S. States, in Ontario, and Quebec. Raised on a farm one mile south of Holbrook, he was only without a horse for one year of his life. He lived to age 90.
When Weldon was away he often delegated tasks to his sons Bruce and Harold. Bruce was the horseman.

One winter day they were sent to the Holbrook farm woodlot with a Minneapolis Moline rowcrop tractor to get firewood. They had to cross a small valley; their father thought the ice would be strong enough to support the tractor, but that wasn't the case. With the tractor stuck in the ice, the boys walked home, got a team of horses, a chain, and a whippletree to pull the tractor out. Bruce hooked the whippletree up short to the drawbar of the tractor so it would lift at the same time as it was pulling. When Weldon got home Bruce explained what happened. Weldon said, "I must have taught you something," and there were no consequences. Weldon was a difficult taskmaster.
The Burrills moved to their farm that touched on the north side of Hickson Village (Hwy59) in 1966.
Weldon and Bruce exhibited their Clydesdale horses from Oshawa to Leamington, at fall fairs, the CNE, and plowing matches. They had their own tractor trailer, loaded with 20 horses, going to the Oshawa Fair; they entered every horse class at the Fair which is non-existent now. There were classes for: six horse hitch; four horse hitch; unicorn hitch (ie three horses led by one horse at the front); light and heavy draft teams, down to 3 year olds, 2 year olds, and yearlings.

Bruce and Marg were married in 1970. In the 70s, on the 100th anniversary of the CNE, Marg won the heavy horse driving class for ladies.

Weldon Burrill was OPA director for Oxford County for 12 years, from 1975 to 1987. When the 1980 IPM was held in Oxford he became a director on the Provincial Association. They always took the OPA Director from the county that hosted the IPM that year.

Wilson McBeth

Jim Muterer

 

Les Dickson