ON Sunday July 10th when Dungarvan stages its 103rd show, one vital cog in the organising committee will be missing. Sadly, one of our most highly esteemed and long serving committee members - Hal Chavasse, Cappagh, Co Waterford - died peacefully on Monday evening last February 21st.

The Chavasse name is synonymous with Dungarvan Show. Hal’s late father Kendal was the Show Announcer for many years and his late mother Oonah headed up the Home Industries section. Hal took on the mantle as Show Announcer in the late 1980s. He was ‘the voice’ of Dungarvan Show but to the committee members he was much more.

From time to time, the show has had to move location. Hal brought his Army training skills to the fore as he measured out the grounds and drew up detailed field plans. He was especially conscious of Health and Safety and ensured that animals and visitors to the showgrounds were separated by adequate walkways.

Wonderful custodian

In later years, Hal also served as Show Treasurer. His records were meticulous and he was a wonderful custodian of the show funds. He only resigned from this position in January 2019. The committee will greatly miss Hal’s wise counsel at our regular committee meetings.

In the days leading up to the show, Hal would be found driving his distinctive blue Land Rover and box around the show field, distributing straw bales and greenery. On show day, Hal directed the show from his announcer’s perch. He called exhibitors to their individual classes, announced the winners, issued health and safety advice and even managed lost children and loose dogs!

Hal rarely left his perch and only retreated to the comfort of his car if the weather turned particularly windy and wet.

Hal Chavasse loved all aspects of Dungarvan Show. He was as interested in who won the best Pot of Jam as to who won the Show jumping Grand Prix. He loved to have a look at the horse, pony, cattle and sheep rings and at the end of a long day, he enjoyed nothing better than a wee drop in the hospitality tent when stories of the day would be recounted by exhausted committee members! Little did any of us know that the 2019 show would be Hal’s last show.

Hal is predeceased by his beloved wife Claire and is survived by his sister Anne (Cottam) and his sons Charles, Dan and Desmond, daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren.

May he rest in peace.

F.C.