Cobble Hill salutes its volunteers

Longtime volunteers David Thomson, Jessie Anderson, Nellie Poelman, Margaret Baird (wheelchair), and John and Claudia McLeod were saluted last week at the Valentines Tea volunteer appreciation event, presented by the Shawnigan Cobble Hill Farmers Institute and Agricultural Society.

Andrew Leong

The walls of the almost 90-year-old Cobble Hill hall don't have to talk. The six Cobble Hill area farming supporters recognized by their peers earlier this week can do that for them.

Together, Margaret Baird, Jessie Anderson, Nellie Poelman, David Thomson and John and Claudia McLeod have donated more than 200 volunteering years to the Shawnigan Cobble Hill Farmers Institute and Agricultural Society.

Volunteering, they say, is just something you do to help out.

"I volunteered at anything I could do," says Margaret Baird, 91.

But for Margaret's son and SCHFIAS president George Baird, it's a lot more than that.

"We would not be capable of hosting our numerous events including the Cobble Hill Fair without (these volunteers') selfless contribution," he wrote in a media invitation.

The six long time volunteers were guests in Cobble Hill Hall on Valentine's Day at a tea hosted by the SCHFIAS.

"The event was to recognize the contributions of some of our longtime and significant volunteers," Baird said.

"We've sometimes recognized a volunteer if he or she was sitting in the audience at an event, but this is the first time we've put on a major event like this," he told the News Leader.

Margaret's 58-year involvement as a volunteer goes back to the time when the cattle were shown in the area behind the hall now occupied annually during the fair by the saddleback entertainment tent.

At that time farmers tied up their horses and cattle to anything they could use as a hitching post.

During the 1950s, Baird's late husband Roland and his father were among those who cleared forest from the area on Watson Avenue across from the hall on land now occupied by the barns and show ring.

Margaret's involvement with the 103-year-old Shawnigan Cobble Hill Fair began in 1953, when she started serving tea.

Then, beginning in 1973, she planned and managed the fair's sit-down lunch for the next 16 years.

For Nellie Poelman, it's been a half-century of volunteering with the SCHFIAS.

"It's always been exciting getting ready for the fair," she says.

"The small groups of volunteers always worked well together and became like family."

Jessie Anderson, 80, started volunteering in the 1970s. She became secretary of the farmers institute and was excited to be a part of the fair the year it turned a $100 profit for the first time.

"I always have time for the fair, and there's always something to be done," says the dedicated volunteer.

And if you see a tractor around the fairgrounds, it's likely the rider will be John McLeod, the institute's volunteer groundskeeper.

John and wife Claudia began their ongoing involvement with the institute in the mid-nineties shortly after moving to the valley.

A decade ago John played a big role in the renovations of Pixie Hall and continues to maintain and repair the buildings.

Active sheep farmer and former president of the institute Dave Thomson is also involved with the institute's physical infrastructure.

Thomson was involved in the design and build of the donkey barn, the hand washing stations and was responsible for the mechanical milking cow.

Six years ago, a big seven-panel display on agriculture that he designed and built placed second in a B.C. fairs contest.

Catering the Valentine's Day event were Chef Brad Boisvert of Unsworth Vineyard's Amuse and Victor Vesely of Teafarm.

SCHFIAS president Baird says he is personally very appreciative of the institute's volunteer spirit.

"Five generations of my own family have proudly been a part of our community, working and volunteering at the Cobble Hill Fair.

"It is a great honour to be able to recognize these passionate SCHFIAS volunteers with the support of our generous sponsors."