SHOW REPORT 24.06.23
So after all the preparation another show has gone by in a flash. The weather was very hot but most people were being sensible and keeping their dogs, and themselves, cool. Aided and abetted by a number of enthusiastic campers the rings were put up on Friday and, thanks to Brian Reed and his team, the campers were parked. Julie Enright did a marvelous job ticking everyone in and also manned (Womanned?) the gate on Saturday and Sunday. Julie you are an absolute gem.
The day passed without incident as far as I am aware. The only complaints I heard were on the lines of “Can you turn the heat down”. Things must have gone ok as we had a lot of “Thank You” messages as people were leaving. This year all the catering was done by the Rugby Club and I understand breakfast was slow in starting because people were looking for the burger van! However service picked up later when word got round. Abi’s Charity Tea Party in the afternoon drew plenty of interest with their divine array of cakes and some great prizes in their raffle. Our tombola made £48 and the training ring, under the expert guidance of Teresa Paterson, raised £71, both of which sums are going into our club charity account for this year’s charity – Street Vets.
Some of our club members were back on Sunday afternoon to help South Eastern take everything down and pack it back onto our trailer ready for next year. This was done very quickly and efficiently and we were ready to leave in good time. I went back to the field on Monday morning to make sure that the last of the campers had left.
There are always many people to thank and I will start with Sandra Cobbold who was Chief Steward both days. We couldn’t do it without you. Wendy Fisher, Show Manager, Marion Clarke and Maureen Strange, ringside catering and Neil Nye, trailer transport, Jeff Bagley, poo sack collector on Sunday, Shaun and Keith parking attendants and anyone else I have missed, THANK YOU. I also need to thank our lovely judges and their teams. I hope you enjoyed your gifts and that some of the scratch cards came good! We are now recruiting judges for next year’s show which will be on 22nd June 2024 so see you there.
One last thing – When I walked round the field on Monday morning I found a golf umbrella leaning against the white fencing round the all weather pitch. Contact me if it is yours.
Until next year…
Eunice Pearson
Obedience Show Secretary