Show Manager’s Report.

May once more and our Club’s Show took place again in the Caird Hall Dundee. As ever, we had good weather and the silvery Tay looked splendid just outside the Hall, though the splendour was a little sullied by the vast earthworks thrown up by the Local Council’s activities in re-developing the waterfront to accommodate a northern branch of the V & A Museum. This will be spectacular when completed but caused not a little traffic disruption; we ourselves got lost twice in the run up to the Show Day. However, exhibitors are made of sterner stuff and there was not a murmur from them about difficulty in closing in on the Hall; most impressive. Our splendid Committee, old and new members alike all put shoulders to the wheel and worked like Trojans to smooth the way for exhibitors. Our thanks to them and the non-committee members and relatives who came to work on the day itself too. We were particularly pleased to have our long distance Show ‘consultant’, Alan Watt back among us this year visiting from New Zealand with his good lady Shiela; they both helped mightily. Another welcome long distance attendee was judge Kim Cutter visiting from South Africa, and whose first judging engagement in Scotland this was. Thanks also to all our British judges, old friends all, who travel from every quarter of these islands to be with us. The Caird Hall is a most attractive venue with blessed access to good daylight for the judges, and this year, as on some past years, there was an international fare in the City Square immediately outside the Hall where some interesting stalls offered what looked like tasty and nourishing fast foods; I hope the exhibitors sampled and enjoyed these as well as the in-Hall catering. Alison magic-ed up some delicious confectionary as gifts for judges and helpers which were much appreciated. Our numbers were just a little up on last year’s entry, much to our relief (though over half of these arrived after closing date!) and the attendance by the public was sustained also thank goodness. The Show itself ran well thanks to our team, though by the end of a day of stumping up and down the Hall, the feet were throbbing more than a little, and the spirits were in need of suitable refreshment. Next year, with a bit of luck, the redevelopment will be completed so parking should be easier, folks; we hope that you enjoyed this year’s Show and that we shall see you again next May.

Gillian & Bruce Bennett
Show Managers.