SPECIALIST & RARE VARIETY OPEN SHOW - 2016
report by Ghalib Al-Nasser, Show Organiser

The 28^th Specialist & Rare Variety Open Show was another success with a great, relaxed atmosphere among exhibitors and visitors and an increase of entry by 9%. The total entry was 587 from 45 exhibitors of which 518 birds were benched. There were fewer birds in the sales classes which made both entry and benched birds in the competitive classes higher than last year.

The show had its usual international flavour with our friend Carlos Ramôa from Portugal attending the show as he always does, and of course the Italian judge Dino Pocecco and his friend Marco Barni, secretary of the Italian Budgerigar Society. It was also pleasing to see a Chinese student who is interested in budgerigars accompanying Jerry Donovan.

As always, the show committee extends its sincere thanks and gratitude to the following sponsors; Rosettes of Quality (50% cost of all the open rosettes for the show); Geoff Capes (cost of all the ceramic awards to the judges and Best of Colours); Mick Anzara, Ian Brickwood, Sue & Rod Clarke, Jan Hill, Grant Findlay & Nick Flavell and David & Linda Rafis for their financial sponsorship. Warren Wilson & BRASEA donated major rosettes for all the BOC winners. Jim Mitchell donated a show cage for the raffle. The show also received sponsorship in the form of bags of seed & products from Norman & June Cox, Johnston & Jeff Ltd, Country Wide Seed. Donated birds for the raffle came from Alan & Gina Adams, Ghalib & Janice Al-Nasser, John Cosby, Neville & Jenny East, Gren & Pat Norris and Terry Sadler to whom the show committee extends its sincere thanks.

Our Guests of Honour this year to present the 45 trophies were none other than our hard working show committee members Sue & Rod Clarke, past presidents of the CBC, RV&CBS, SBBA and VBC as well as their area society the MBA.

 
Sue & Rod Clark

The show was dominated by 3 exhibitors who between them won 16 out of the 24 colour awards namely Gren & Pat Norris (6), Malcolm & Pam Freemantle (5) and Jerry Donovan (5). On a sadder note this was the last show that Jerry Donovan exhibited at as he is giving up the birds due to health problems.

To move away from the threat of clashing with the F1 Silverstone Race Championship the show has moved to week 25 and next year’s show will be on 24^th & 25^th June at the same venue in Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire.

LESS RARES

There was a drop in entry by one to 23 for Dave Critchlow to judge and he awarded the adult certificate and Best Rare Variety in Show to an opaline slate hen benched in good condition by Sue & Rod Clarke. The partnership of Cyril, David & Jini Sharpe benched a slate hen in second place followed by David & Linda Rafis’ anthracite cock in third place.

Mick Anzara headed the first two places in the young bird section with a good rainbow cock staged in good condition followed by his English fallow cock of good marking. Cyril, David & Jini Sharpe were third with a Rainbow hen.

 
Mick Anzarra

Best Anthracite, D & L Rafis; Best English Fallow, Best German Fallow, Best Rainbow, M. Anzara; Best Slate, S & R Clarke; Best Saddleback, C, D & S Sharpe.

Best Rainbow - Mick Anzara

CLEARBODY

Dino Pocecco judged the increased entry of 19 in this section and awarded the adult certificate and Best Clearbody Overall to a Texas grey cock of Michael Chapman of good type and feather. Cy Thorne was second with a Texas grey hen of good width followed by a nice Easley sky cock from Sue & Rod Clarke lacking in condition.

Michael Chapman again came out on top in the young bird section with an Easley cobalt cock of good substance. Cy Thorne occupied the next two spots with a Texas cock and hen.

 
Michael Chapman

Best Texas & Easley Clearbody, Michael Chapman.

INCREASE IN A.O.C.

There was an increase in entry by 20 to 57 for Andy Thorpe to judge. He awarded the adult certificate to a lacewing opaline yellow hen of good length and colour from Jim Mitchell. Roger Hill was second with a grey white cock of good size. Tom Jackson from the novice section was third with a greywing grey cock of good colour.

 
Jim Mitchell

The Freemantles headed the young bird CC and Best Overall with a quality, well presented, big white cobalt hen. Tom Jackson was second with greywing skyblue cock which was followed by Alan & Gina Adams partnership with a lacewing opaline yellow cock.

Best Violet, R. Cozens; Best Lacewing, J. Mitchell; Best Greywing, T. Jackson; Best Yellow, M & D Walker; Best White, M & P Freemantle; Best AOV Clearwing etc, C, D & S Sharpe.