The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Challenge of mixing the traditional and the new
Perth Show chairman Peter Stewart is getting excited about this year’s event
Peter Stewart, 42, a partner with Perth law firm Anderson Beaton Lamond, lives in Perth with his wife and three children.
Vice-chairman of Perth Show last year, Peter has embraced the role of chairman for 2017.
Although he isn’t a farmer himself, he was and is deeply involved with the farming community.
“I come from a farming background – both my mother’s and father’s families were farmers and I grew up on a farm near Dunfermline,” he said.
“I remember as a boy with my mum and dad we used to come up to the Perth Show. It was very important when we were younger, it was where the farmers met up.”
“Every year we’ve got about a team of directors, some of whom have a particular remit such as the cattle convener.
“The chairman’s job is to make sure that everyone is doing their part – the show is always changing and the role involves overseeing the whole thing.
“A couple of years ago we decided to start a food tent, last year that became Perthshire on a Plate and that will be an important part of the show again this year.”
Other recent changes have included the reintroduction of showjumping.
“Last year we had showjumping for the first time in several years and this year the events will feature two classes affiliated to the BSJ,” added Peter.
For Peter, keeping the show fresh, but without losing the traditional appeal that it holds for local farmers, is one of the key elements of his chairmanship.
We are very lucky in Perth – we are a very rural city, it’s really unique. PETER STEWART
“We want to develop the Perth Show – we are always going to get farmers but we want to widen the appeal to bring in people from Perth who have never been to the show or who haven’t been for many years,” he said.
“I make proposals to the directors – we aren’t trying to make drastic changes but we can’t keep things the same and we are trying to build on the successes of recent shows.”
One of the challenges of the chairmanship is that so much goes into planning an event such as the Perth Show.
“There are lots of different things to keep track of – Neil Forbes, the secretary, has been in his job for many years and he knows exactly what he’s doing.
“One of the things that I have noticed is that the council are tightening up on how they do all these things, from health and safety to road management, there is a lot of regulation to deal with.”
The lawyer has embraced everything that his role has thrown up at him so far, even if that means dressing up as a Highland cow to promote the show in Perth city centre.
“The show is a great opportunity for people from Perth to come and see cattle and all the animals up close. We are very lucky in Perth – we are a very rural city, it’s really unique,” said Peter.
This year Perth Show will be home to two national cattle shows – the National Highland Cattle Gathering will feature 100 Highland cows, and the Scottish National Simmental Show has attracted 70 entries.
Another innovation is a bit of light entertainment for the opening night.
“The Perth Show challenge started last year – an It’s a Knockout-type challenge with an agricultural theme where local businesses can enter teams,” added Peter.
“There will be new trade stands coming this year, and most of all I would like to encourage people to come along and experience all that the show has to offer for themselves.
“If you haven’t been to the show or haven’t been for a number of years, you should come along and see the changes.”
From Perthshire on a Plate to the Grand Parade, accredited showjumping, kids’ events, trade stands and more, there really is something for everything at Perth Show 2017.