Photos/MIKE MALONEY A plowing match at New Liskeard has delayed compilation of results from the 2009 edition of the Shelburne District Fall Fair, but a kindly Mother Nature may have been SPORTS instru me ntal in b oot ing the gate receipts by about 30 per cent — to about $15,000 from last year's approximately $11,000.

Agricultural Society secretary Fran Braiden said Wednesday that the results would be available by next week after plowing match attendees return.

On the whole, she said, it was an excellent fair. "The flower displays and the baking entries were up. We had 11 teams in the horse pull. Sunday was a really good thing with the lawn mower races."

The only weakness in the three days might have been the midway. "We have to improve the midway," she acknowledged, saying that while the 2008 version of the midway was an improvement over 2007, this year's wasn't as good as in 2008.

She said the board would consider adding more rides for teenagers next year.

It appears planning for the 144th Fair in 2010 is about to get under way.