Rain, bargains and big turnout boosts Lions fundraiser

Auction day was a huge success for the Lions Club members involved in the Methven Machinery Auction.

Light rain was a good excuse for farmers to get off-property and along to the Methven Showgrounds to check out the items on offer.

Convener Alistair Clemens said there was a good crowd on the day.

“In spite of the weather, very pleased with the number of people who [showed] up.”

He said the rain had been worse last year and was pleased that it had somewhat let up for the morning.

A comfortable 200 items, from ride-on mowers to tractors, covered the showgrounds.

“Last year we had 145 or something; most of it was local, but some’s from out of town, Ashburton, and further south.”

Methven stock agent John Farrell ran the auction alongside Richard Ashworth and George Mannering.

There was hot food, a coffee cart to keep everyone’s hands toasty and bellies full as they wandered from sale to sale.

The Carrfields Rural Health Van also made an appearance, offering a free quick check up on things like blood pressure for farmers who can’t always get off-farm.

Entrants sent their machines to the Lions, who auctioned them off and took a small commission from each sale.

“It all comes to the Lions, and the Lions give the money away again to community things.”

“We support youth, we help aged care in Methven, we’ve helped a local pool, they needed money to do up the pool a while ago, the security cameras going up around the town.”

Clemens said it would take some time after the auction to collate the money and pay everyone out.

The count is still underway, but they’ve beat last year’s total already.

The Methven Lions Club’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed because they were recently awarded the prestigious Stewart Trophy for best overall club at a district convention.

by Anisha Satya