An interview with John Furneaux
The Gower Agricultural Show is a traditional one-day event held in the beautiful parkland on the Penrice Castle Estate near Oxwich Bay. A full programme of displays, events and competitions take place throughout the day, including the horse and livestock classes, and arts and crafts
John Furneaux has been one of the leading lights of the Gower Show. Here, he talks to a member of the Hwb team about his involvement in the Show.
I know that the first Gower Show was held in 1906 and today is a significant part of Gower’s heritage. When did you first become involved with the Gower Show and how has your role changed in that time?
I first became involved in 1972 showing cattle for Mr Turnbull the then tenant of the Home Farm. Later in the seventies I accepted the job of putting up the show and clearing away after, which took about a week and Daphne and I and the children did it as a family. In the mid eighties I changed jobs so no longer was able to do the setting up, but was made Vice Chairman and the following year Chairman, a position I held for two years, being the last show in Penrice and the first to be held at Swansea Airport. Then in 1988 I was made a Deputy Director and in 1989 became Director, a position I held until 2016. I was President for the last two years.
Looking back, what would be the top highlight for you in terms of what has been achieved over the years that you’ve been involved?
My main highlight was to bring the Show back to Penrice and as there was no Show in 2001 because of Foot and Mouth, the 2002 show was a great achievement by all the volunteers to have a full show with a very large crowd. The worst show was 2007 when another outbreak of foot and mouth occurred on the Friday before show day, half the night spent on the phone to the ministry vets, an early Saturday morning directors meeting, and we decided to cancel the show. Seeing the Show all set up in the Park with no visitors on the Sunday was very soul wrenching.
The Gower Show must be one of the biggest annual events held in Gower and takes a huge organisational effort. What is the greatest challenge you face and how did you deal with it?
The greatest challenge can be the weather, if we get a wet period prior to setting up, areas of the park become waterlogged, so unusable we also have to get marquee lorries in and other heavy vehicles on to the park with other equipment. There have been years when everything is unloaded on the road and moved by tractor and trailer which gives a lot of extra work, we are totally reliant on a very large band of volunteers who without their commitment the Show would not run.
Have you got a funny story you could share?
There are plenty of things that seem funny after the event but not so at the time. Dealing with TV crews can be quite entertaining!
What do you like best about the Show?
My greatest pleasure is seeing a job well done and everyone enjoying the day and it all cleared up and the park handed back to the estate in good condition, not always possible, but has been achieved on most occasions.
What would you say to someone who’s never been to the Show, to encourage them to come along?
Welcome to a great day out! There are cattle, sheep and pigs within the Livestock area, many agricultural trade stands and a display of crops grown on local farms – these showcase the Farming on Gower. Alpacas, a novelty dog show where the public can take part, the Main ring is home to all the horse showing as well as many attractions. The Presidents ring has the Shire Horses which were the work horses of the farms, some local smaller displays, there are Marquees where competitions take place in Cookery and Crafts as well as vegetable and flowers and including floral art. Anyone can enter these competitions and there are classes for children as well as adults. There is an excellent food hall and craft marquee, and many trade stands.
Thanks John, the Gower Show certainly is a great family day out!
The Gower Show for 2023 is on Sunday August 6th. Find out more, including schedules and news about competitions and events on their website: https://www.gowershow.co.uk/
Maggie Kirk