THERE was a solid list of entertainments on offer in Glasgow that February: Maurice Chevalier at the King’s Theatre, and the prospect of Eric Portman and Dorothy Tutin in a Graham Greene play, The Living Room, the following week. The Irish tenor, Josef Locke, was at the Empire, and other venues were still running their festive pantos.

If none of that appealed - well, there was always the 1953 Scottish Dairy Show, at the Kelvin Hall.

Its advertisements spoke of ‘Britain’s finest dairy cattle’, as well as modern farm equipment and dairy appliances, ‘interesting competitions’ and tractor-driving contests. There was, however, space for smaller creatures, too, with poultry and (pictured) rabbit-judging sections.

The show was opened by Mr W.M. Snadden, Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.

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Herald Diary

Reported the Evening Times on the opening day: “Representatives of the finest dairy cattle in Britain were assembled to-day at the Kelvin Hall ... Judging, which started today, takes into account yields recorded during milking trials, and keen competition was anticipated between the two main contending breeds, the Ayrshire and Friesians, for championship honours.”

The milk from the animals, some 1,200 daily gallons, was being distributed to thousands of Glasgow homes through the Scottish Milk Marketing Board’s creamery at Hogganfield.