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

 

1975

Clare Hartley was treasurer of Oxford Plowmen's. Leroy Scott was auditor. New directors were Ross Pullen, R7 Woodstock; Don Wright, R3 Woodstock, and John Walton, R7 Woodstock.
Max Franklin dropped out. Art Dale and Bill Weatherston were delegates to the OPA convention.

A grant of $700 was requested from County Council by OPA directors Weldon Burrill and Jim Richardson.

SEPT 18

The Sentinel Review reported: Harry Parrot wins landslide victory over Alice Garner, but the Provincial Tories of Bill Davis took a stinging. The province had a minority government with the NDP of Bob Nixon holding the balance of power.

The proposed landfill site near Salford and expropriation issues raised the ire of farm folks; this was their new regional government of 1975.

Competitions for Dairy Princess, Queen of Furrow, and Fall Fair Ambassador were great opportunities for farm girls; Oxford County's first Queen of the Furrow, Elizabeth Eddy represented Oxford at the 1975 IPM held in Durham region near Oshawa Sept 23-27.

Bill Weatherston and Art Dale were in charge of the Oxford Queen of the Furrow competition held in the morning of Saturday Oct.18, on farm of Clare Hartley. Contestants were Kathy Langdon, Donna Fleming, and Carol Coglin.

The Tenth Line Ladies served 33 lunches at noon. Marshall Deans, Paris and John Capton, Ohsweken judged the plowing.

Elizabeth Eddy entered Class 6 (ladies).
The placings were: Mary Opersko, Elizabeth Eddy, and Debbie Cheyne. Debbie became Elizabeth' sister-in-law. She married Gord Eddy in 1976. She was not the first girl to win their life partner at a plowing match.

Other listings in order of merit:

Class 2: Bob Brown; Leslie Perriman and Reg Opersko
Class 3: Ed Opersko; Orville Fried; Ron Kay and Gord Eddy
Class 4:Bert Perriman; Kevin Fried and Brian Fried
Class 5: Stephen Hartley and Alex Hartley
Class 7: Clare Hartley; Steven Hartley; Alex Hartley; Harvey Masson; Bob McPherson and John Buchanan

Some competitors entered two classes.

Cecil Wells won Class one (walking plows), and was an easy winner in Class 9.
Father and son, Weldon and Bruce Burrill were 2nd and 3rd also in class 9.

The Chamber of Commerce again sponsored a banquet at the fairgrounds.

Carol Coglin was crowned 1975-76 Oxford Queen of the Furrow.

The Plowmen's Association provided free banquet tickets to competitors, judges, the Provincial Queen of the Furrow, Dawn Brunton (2), county queen competitors, Mr. and Mrs.Robert Buchanan and the Queen of Furrow competition judges.

Liz Eddy, at home, striking off to IPM Oshawa (Sept 23-27)

Liz Eddy, wearing her Oxford 1975 Queen of the Furrow sash

Oxford Cty Plowmen's banquet at Oxford Auditorium; Carol Coglin is awarded 1976 Queen of Furrow. From left: Carol Coglin, Liz Eddy, Donna Fleming and Kathy Langdon.

Outgoing Queen, Liz Eddy, places tiara on 1976 Queen Carol Coglin.

Liz eddy represents Oxford, along with 21 Queens from across Ontario.

Liz eddy represents Oxford, along with 21 Queens from across Ontario.

Liz Eddy.

Debbie Cheyne (left), LizEddy (centre) and Gord Eddy (right).