1:12pm Wednesday 25th November 2009
By Simon Crump
THE man behind Moreton Show for the past 14 years is hanging up his Wellington boots.
Tim Gardner, 63, will retire from his position as the event’s secretary in February after organising the annual country show since 1995.
He was born into an Essex farming family but his grandfather originated from Batsford, near Moreton.
Tim’s grandfather died in World War One and his name is on Batsford War Memorial.
After the family’s farm became financially unviable, Tim’s father sold it and moved his family to Longborough, near Moreton, where Tim still lives.
Tim trained as a rural practice surveyor in Monmouth and became a district valuer in 1973.
This was the start of a 21-year career saw him based in offices at Cheltenham, London, Kidderminster, Luton, Watford, Oxford, Aylesbury and Leamington Spa.
Being a member of the Young Farmer’s organisation, he was recruited to become Moreton Show’s tape boy in 1975.
His job was to get Moreton Showground, in Batsford Road, ready for the show.
This resulted in him becoming showground manager in 1977.
Leaving the district valuer’s office in 1994, Tim became joint secretary of Moreton and District Agricultural and Horse Show Society, which organises the event, with predecessor Babs Attwood.
He became secretary on his own in 1995 and also chaired the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations for six years.
Moreton Show, held on a Saturday every September, has since only been cancelled twice - because of the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 and torrential rain in 2008.
In 1997, it was postponed until the following Sunday to avoid clashing with Princess Diana’s funeral.
Tim hopes retirement will give him time to attend other country shows.
He said: “I’ve run out of steam.
“I would like to thank you all for your support over the past 14 years.”
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