SPECIALIST & RARE VARIETY OPEN SHOW - 2009
reported by Ghalib Al-Nasser, Show Organiser

The 21^st Show of the Specialist & Rare Variety Open Show was forced to move venue due to the building work at the Coventry school and the show was staged at the Markfield Community & Sports Centre. The show received a drop in total entry to 657 of which a total of 526 birds were benched from 58 exhibitors. Despite this drop in entry, due to a new venue, bad breeding season or cost of fuel preventing fanciers travelling long distances; the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly.

Once again the show received great sponsorship which is an important element in the survival of this national event, and our sincere thanks and gratitude are extended to Brown & Hutt for sponsoring 50% cost of all the open rosettes for the show; to Geoff Capes who sponsored the cost of all the ceramic awards to the judges and Best of Colours. Jan Hill & daughter Karen sponsored the show with the cost of printing the coloured covers for the schedules and catalogues. Grant Findlay & Dave Whittaker sponsored the cost of printing the schedules. Financial sponsorship came from Mick Anzara, Dominic Avo, Dave Moss and Dave & Linda Rafis. Warren Wilson, CEO of the Budgerigar Rare & Specialist Exhibitors of Australasia (BRASEA), sent a wonderful package of 24 major rosettes for the BOC winners. Lyn Bancroft, Guest of Honour, donated engraved salvers to all the best of the 12 varieties. Our gratitude is extended to the following fanciers who donated birds for the raffle; Ghalib & Janice Al-Nasser, Martin Bagnall, Sue & Rod Clarke, Grant Findlay & Nick Flavell, Malcolm & Pam Freemantle, Dave Moss, Gren & Pat Norris, Mike Peel and Cy Thorne and also to Norman & June Cox who give so much of their time to assist in running the show. The Show Committee extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the above sponsors, societies who granted patronage and to all the workers, exhibitors and donors for making this year’s show another great success.

Next year's show will be staged on 3^rd & 4^th July 2010 (week 26).

CRESTS OF QUALITY

Norma Phillips judged the 60 Crests and awarded the adult C.C. and Best Crest in Show to a Circular Cinnamon Dark Green cock bred by Gren & Pat Norris (non members). The bird had good condition and size with good neat crest and stood well throughout judging. Alan & Gina Adams benched a powerful Tufted Spangle Opaline Cinnamon Grey Green cock in second place (also Best Crest Any Age by a member) while the novice partnership of Paul Cheatley & Terry Alcorn benched a Circular Dominant Pied Grey cock in third place that stood well and was well balanced. Cheatley & Alcorn also benched the best any age opposite sex award with a Circular hen.

Best Crest - G & P Norris

Grant Findlay & Nick Flavell won the young bird award (also Best Crest in Show by a member) with a stylish Tufted Light Green cock, staged in good condition and a good example of the variety. The Cheatley & Alcorn partnership occupied the next two places with quality Circular Skyblue cock and Circular Cinnamon Cobalt hen. Best junior any age award went to Gary Cameron.

Grant Findlay & Nick Flavell won Best Crest & Recessive Pied young birds

Pos.     Any Age                      Young Bird

1.          G & P Norris                Findlay & Flavell

2.          A & G Adams              Cheatley & Alcorn

3.          Cheatley & Alcorn        Cheatley & Alcorn

4.          D. Moss                        D. Moss

5.          Cheatley & Alcorn        C & S Tipton

6.          Cheatley & Alcorn        G & J Al-Nasser

7.          M. Anzara                     M. Anzara

8.          D. Moss                        S & R Clarke  

9.          C. Hawkins                  

10.       G. Cameron