Volunteers come forward to save Cunningsburgh Show

The Cunningsburgh Show has been saved from the axe following a strong response to an appeal for volunteers.

As many as five new people have come forward willing to act as office bearers for Shetland’s agricultural showcase, bringing fresh blood to a committee which only two weeks ago was crying out for help.

Another two people are also willing to join the committee to help carry out duties on the day of the event.

The show’s future had been thrown into doubt following the decision by long-standing treasurer Ian Smith to step down from his post after 15 years of loyal service.

Organisers feared this year’s show may have to be cancelled if a replacement for Mr Smith could not be found – although Mr Smith will still be on hand when the show takes place in August.

An emergency general meeting was held to help thrash out a solution for the problem.

Show president Kathleen Sinclair said: “They’re queueing up to be treasurers. We have five people – one of them is willing to help with secretarial duties. We’re having a meeting on Monday to finalise it.

“It’s good that folk have come forward for it. We had thought it wouldn’t go ahead. But we’ve now got another two younger members that have come onto the committee.”

She added there was still room for other new people on the committee.

“We would still welcome anybody willing to help in general tasks, setting up and being there on the show-day,” she said.

The Cunningsburgh event is regarded as the highlight in the show calendar, drawing crowds in large numbers from far and wide.

However there is still a shortfall in funding which means plans to develop the show have had to be scaled back.