Everyone was looking forward to the Show day and hoping the weather would be favourable! It was! The sun shone and the crowds turned up and celebrated a day showcasing the best of local agricultural farming in the district. Bushtown Waimate were present. The European Bushmen of the mid 1800's were drawn to Te Waimatemate to log and mill the hillside forests of Totara and Matai, much prized for the hardwood used in construction of bridges and homesteads in the district. Several Bushtown Volunteers dressed up in typical EarlySettler and Bushman period costume and set up "camp" at the recent annual South Canterbury A & P Show held in Waimate on Saturday 5th November.
The Early Settlers introduced sports. games and a range of board games and a variety of such were on display. A talented volunteer baked scrumptious shortbread from a traditional recipe and Venturer Bushman Patrick kept the the old style "Billy Tea" stove stoked and showed visitors through the 100 year old Bushman's whare.We welcome anyone interested to visit the Bushtown siteand to contact us if interested to help with volunteering on site.www.bushtownwaimate.co.nz
