Fiona Brown has always had a soft spot for the Northam Agricultural Show and was every excited to be part of the annual event at the recreation ground last Saturday.
And with good reason – one of the feature displays in the pavilion highlighted the achievements of her late mother Pauline, who passed away 10 years ago after a long involvement in the show.
For the second year running the Ag Society has featured someone who played a major role in the show – on the back of Meg Lawrence who was highlighted last year.
Fiona, herself a society life member and show chief steward, was proud to reflect on her mother’s display.
“In doing the feature we have chosen her favourite recipe which is an Irish tea cake,” Fiona said.
“We have got lots of photographs of the family and mum, a bit of history about her nursing career and her involvement in Northam.
“She was born and bred in Northam.
“The flowers on display were from mum's bridal bouquet – almond blossoms.”
Also taking pride of place in the feature was the trophy when the Brown family won the overall trophy for the whole show.
Fiona’s dad Alfred is also a life member and still plays an active role in the show.
She said there was plenty of emotion in the lead up to this year’s event.
“We have known about it for a year and we have been trying to get dad to do it for a long time and he kept finding excuses,” Fiona said.
“Two weeks ago I said we have to do this and he said no and then the phone rang and I got left to do it.”
As part of the display people were encouraged to enter their best Irish tea cake – using the same recipe that came from a recipe book Fiona’s mum had at high school.
Judges said they were impressed with the quality of all cooking classes this year.
Fiona said entries in most competitions at the show had increased this year.
“We had 97 entries in the cookery section along which is up on last year.
The show plays a big role in the lives of the Brown family.
“The show committee to me is an extended family,” Fiona said of the well-run organisation that co-ordinates the annual event.
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