31 May Double Open Shows & Spring Garden Party Weekend
OPEN SHOW ONE REPORT PAGE – now includes Judge’s report
or to go to simply photos of these, and many other club events
VISIT CLUB’S PHOTO PLATFORM ON SMUGMUG
PLEASE NOTE: Over a 100 extra Garden Party photos were added in mid June.
Summary of Week-end
(see below)
Firstly we must acknowledge our kind sponsors
Both our Open Shows were kindly sponsored by Burns Pet Nutrition who generously provided food for many of the show winners
Our Garden Party was kindly sponsored by Antinol Joint Care Pro who provided vouchers for class winners
In addition to sponsorship by Burns, our Open Shows also had rosettes sponsored by exhibitors, this year with an Emerald theme to tie in with our club’s Emerald Anniversary.
On that note we are also extremely grateful to Club member Lynn Jones for her donation of a handmade Emerald Anniversary Table Covering for our 55th Anniversary events.
Reflection on the Week-end
Well it’s been and gone and now, 3 days later as this is written, only now are all the committee and helpers back at home and it is time to reflect.
If you didn’t come to the Club’s bumper Bernese week-end you missed out on a great Bernese jamboree. After one of the most challenging build up weeks yet, with high winds, and chilling temperatures interspersed with hot spells and wet spells, meaning we were unable to erect the main marquees until Friday and then had just hours instead of days to make up the kitchen and catering area to sort out the tables, chairs and fill up the shop and Rescue and health and talk areas. Consequently some of the usual bunting and flags was missing but the happy vibe made sure no one was bothered, even if they noticed.
Many hands didn’t quite make it light work but they certainly got things done as so many people joined in setting up on Friday to help quell our panic that was growing through the stressful week. Let this be the first of many thanks to all those who got stuck in and ‘made it happen’, without whom I’m not sure exactly where we would have been.
The two Open shows had the highest entries for many years and by common consent Sunday’s Garden Party must have been right up there as one of, if not THE highest attendance ever, there were hundreds and hundreds of people, so many were without dogs and new to the breed absolutely doing the right thing by coming to find out about the Bernese and meet owners before getting a puppy. So many were asking questions that in addition to the two scheduled breed talks held on Sunday we added an extra impromptu one on Saturday, all three were crowded and extended due to the amount of interest shown.
Holding the two shows on Saturday again made it a long day but most people were happy to enjoy the event, enjoying the fantastic weather, with the great scenic backdrop this venue provides. In contrast Saturday evening was a bit chilly and rather ‘damp’ for the social event but that didn’t stop lots of people enjoying the food, fun and merriment in the main gazebo.
Sunday was well, just amazing, just about everyone spoken to commented, without prompting, on the lovely atmosphere and large turnout. The feeling was that there had never been so many people around the ring for the Opening presentations but the numbers just kept growing. The kitchen was really busy all day taking record amounts, the main ring events were well supported and the options to try carting, agility and obedience were taken up by many with the carters especially reporting lots of new interest, which is great to hear. Then, at the end of a great but exhausting day, so many people helped us take down the large marquees and all the rings and equipment and, after a few hours, as darkness fell, we could finally relax a little bit.
The contrast between the amazingly successful events themselves and the stressful build up week we had on site, could not have been much greater so thank you to everyone who was a part of it all, whether actively helping with set up or take down, helping on the days, or actively taking part in the fun or slightly more serious events or just turning up and being a part of the atmosphere. Everyone present played a part in a great Bernese Club week-end.
Reports and increasing photos and eventually links to more photos will be accessible from the links below as they become available in the coming days and weeks so please keep coming back.
or to go to simply photos of these, and many other club events
VISIT CLUB’S PHOTO PLATFORM ON SMUGMUG