Ashburton fancier Brian Glassey is being lauded this weekend in Ashburton at the 2026 Brian Glassey Testimonial Show.
The Ashburton Fanciers’ Society event is set to be a showcase of exceptional birds and a celebration of the people, knowledge and dedication behind the society.
It will be in the Sports Hall, on Tancred St; potentially for the last time.
The hall is to be put up for sale by tender.
Society president John Taylor said it was the first time the society had run a testimonial show.
But Brian, who after 40 years as the society’s secretary/treasurer, was a worthy choice, he said.
‘‘Well, he’s Brian. He’s been showing chooks since 1968.
‘‘He started when he was 16 showing Barred Rocks and he’s still doing it today.
‘‘We thought ‘why not’, we like to celebrate people while they are actually still alive here to see it.
‘‘He’s the first, and what a way to do it, really.’’
Brian, 76, stepped down from the role at the annual general meeting in September last year.
Taylor said Brian remain a valued member of the club but the tribute was a chance for people to visit and have a chat with members and Ashburton’s local legend.
‘‘Come and have a talk to Brian,’’ he said.
In his time, Brian has travelled throughout the country to compete and won countless titles, ribbons and rosettes.
He grew up with fowls at home.
It was his job to feed them.
An after school job with poultry farmer, the late Lou Bolm, proved an invaluable learning experience.
He learned about breeding and shows.
He showed his first Barred Rock bred fowl at Waimate in 1968. And has been doing it ever since.
Brian was one of the standout personalities in the 2017 Kiwi feel-good documentary ‘Pecking Order’ and still gets recognised for his role.
The film, by director Slavko Martinov, tells the story of simmering rivalries at the Christchurch Poultry, Bantam and Pigeon Club and followed the birds from chicks through to their appearance in front of judges.
This weekend, Taylor said 913 entries – excluding egg exhibitors – had been registered by nearly 80 exhibitors from across the South Island.
Seven top judges would be on site, including heavy and light breed judge Kevin Smith of Australia, joined by Gary Cardno (hard feather bantams) and Mark Lilley (soft feather bantams and egg section).
- – The 2026 Brian Glassey Testimonial Show, hosted by the Ashburton Fanciers’ Society at the Sports Hall, Tancred St, Ashburton. Doors open on Saturday 10.30am to 5pm, Sunday 9am to 12pm. Spectators cost $5, children under 16 free.
