THIS time last year -- like correspondent Margaret Whittaker (July 30) -- I too felt that Bury Agricultural Show could have been better.

But rather than criticising, I answered their appeal for help and joined the committee with a view to regenerating some of the appeal the show has had for me over many years.

In the process I have made many friends and met many interesting people. I have also encouraged others to become involved, two of whom will be introduced as new committee members at the next meeting.

Since last year's show, I have researched and produced a booklet, Long Life and Success to the Farmer: A History of the Agricultural Societies of Bury. It covers the period from the earliest show in 1850, through the various incarnations of the society, and touches on some of the problems of putting on a show in present times (the booklet is on sale at Bury Central Library and all profits go to Bury and District Agricultural Society).

On show day, with the help of others, I mounted a display of photographs and memorabilia and my family entered, for the first time in many years, four items in the Arts and Craft section. My wife won a cup.

Perhaps one of the reasons that entries were down was that people like Margaret Whittaker did not enter anything. She obviously knows what good vegetables and cakes look like so I hope that she and others will put something into these classes next year, or at least come as a volunteer helper on the day. The more that you put into something, the more you get out of it.

There were many things missing that I would like to have seen there this year, such as carriage-driving, cattle and a display of rare breeds. All these were planned, but due to circumstances beyond the control of the committee, they were unable to go ahead. Hopefully these problems will be rectified by next year.

These may not reflect the opinion of the society committee.

ALAN J. SEYMOUR,

Tottington Road, Bury.