SHOW MANAGERS REPORT
The Bengal Cat Club 10th Championship Show 2015
So, it started with losing our venue last minute, and trying to find another that fit in with the dates was proving impossible. The only option left was to book the Town Hall at Cricklade for the Saturday (they had a dance on the Friday evening). 5.00am set-up is not good at the best of times but with the atrocious weather, it was all a bit of a nightmare.
Andy & Lorraine (M.F.) were already there, having slept in the wagon, Lisa & Lyndsey (my lovely daughters) and my gorgeous Grandson Dominic, me & John! Thankfully Connie & Stuart Henderson arrived at 6.00am to help us. They also turned up to help clear away at the end – sincere thanks both!
That’s the downside of the Town Hall, you have to get out all tables & chairs and then put back into storage cupboards and then sweep all the floors, but we did it! Our Duty Vet Sue Moreland arrived early and along with Jennie Harrison, they both got stuck in getting the cats - and their very soggy owners - in as quickly as possible. Fantastic! Thank you both.
The Committee all arrived en masse and very quickly got the club, raffle & trophy tables set up ready to go. The Committee had pulled out all the stops to help make their 10th Championship Show memorable for all. Superb gifts for all Exhibitors & Judges & absolutely fantastic Raffle Prizes. We also had lots of Spot Prizes throughout the day which went down very well indeed. Not forgetting John with his chocolate throw-aways (he does love doing that).
Steve Lott manning the door most of the day with committee stepping in for breaks. Matt Workman & Maff selling Raffle tickets, Sonia Lee & daughter for the fantastic cake won by Matt Barton, who actually shared it with everyone – how good is that? Tracey Fordham sorting the Trophies again with Mary, Kevin Workman taking Best in Show photo’s & then you’ve got Barrie, Rosie, Annie & Julie being everywhere & doing a bit of everything!
Even though everyone started off a trifle wet and windblown, the general atmosphere was very upbeat & happy! One particular memory sticks in my mind, I was at the door and held it open for the lovely Julie Hyland when she arrived – I can only say that she resembled a Waterfall when she came in, having arrived during the worst of the weather. Being Julie, she was still happy & smiling though. Don’t worry Julie, I won’t mention the knickers!
The table ran like clockwork, thanks again to Lisa, Lyndsey & Kate Ford (of the lovely hair!). Sue Barrett put most of the rosettes out (a Show Manager herself, she just cannot sit still!) The Raffle made over £180 – remarkable, considering we only had 62 Cats entered, I cannot thank everyone involved enough! Guess the weight of the cake made £66.00 with Annie Coak donating a matching amount all to go to HCM Research – what can you say?
Graham & Lou of Launmeadow who have been with us since the beginning (& thanks Graham for helping to clear tables & chairs at the end!) Not forgetting our other stall holders who joined us on the day.
Our Judges & Stewards really got into the spirit of the show and were very relaxed and happy – weren’t you? And last, but certainly not least, cos we couldn’t have a show without you – our fantastic EXHIBITORS for actually getting to the show despite the dreadful weather, a very Sincere Huge Thank You to you all!
Next year, with GCCF agreement, we will be at the same venue on 26th November (with setting-up on the Friday, phew!) – ideal chance to have a Christmas Theme! Elaine & John Robinson
