SPECIALIST & RARE VARIETY OPEN SHOW - 2008
reported by Ghalib Al-Nasser, Chairman 

This year’s show, the 20th Show of the Specialist & Rare Variety Open Show, received a slight drop in total entry to 857 of which a total of 653 birds were benched from 69 exhibitors. However, despite the drop of 13 birds from last year’s benched figure the atmosphere was of relaxation and friendliness. A minute’s silence was observed prior to commencement of judging in respect of the recent death of Marion Wixon, joint secretary of the Spangled Budgerigar Breeders’ Association and their past president and editor.

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; also to Les Martin who sponsored the cost of all the ceramic awards to the judges and Best of Colours. The B.S. President Geoff Capes donated a quality bird for the most benched birds in the beginner section, which was won by John Harvey. Rod & Sue Clarke 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 who donated £50 towards the raffle prizes, with further financial sponsorship received from Jan Hill. Warren Wilson, CEO of the Budgerigar Rare & Specialist Exhibitors of Australasia (BRASEA), sent a wonderful package awarding the top BRASEA patronage to the show with 5 coloured paintings and 24 major rosettes for the BOC winners. Other sponsorship came from Ghalib & Janice Al-Nasser, Norman & June Cox, Dave Moss, Gren & Pat Norris and Changing Times. The following fanciers were generous with their donation of birds for the raffle; Sue & Rod Clarke, Jerry Donovan, Guppy & Barnes, Pete Holliday, Cy Thorne and Thorpe & Stanley.

The Show Committee extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the above sponsors as well as the Budgerigar Society, the six specialist societies with their patronage, those who donated prizes to the raffles, the ten area societies and Budgerigar World who all gave splendid support in granting their highest patronage to the show. Gratitude is also extended to all the workers, exhibitors and donors for making this year’s show another great success.

Apart from our regular fanciers from Scotland and Wales, who travel long distances to be with us, we also had the pleasure of visitors from Kuwait but on this occasion missed the company of our regular overseas visitors from Holland & Germany.

Sunday afternoon was the time for trophy presentations and on this occasion the Guest of Honour was Geoff Capes, B.S. President, who presented the 44 trophies together with the paintings donated by BRASEA to the winning exhibitors. Before that Mr. Capes presented Budgerigar Society Honorary Life Membership certificates for meritorious services to the budgerigar fancy to Norman & June Cox, Dave Cottrell, Grant Findlay & Ghalib Al-Nasser who were awarded this honour at the AGM in May.

As in previous years at this show, partnerships did well in gaining 12 of the 24 CC’s on offer and 20 of the CC’s were awarded to the champion section.

Next year's show will be staged on 27^th & 28^th June (week 26).

DONOVAN FOR  SPANGLES

The Spangle Greens had a slight increase in entry from last year to 75 for Fred Wright to judge. Best spangle green any age in show went to Jerry Donovan’s super light green cock of good marking but was not in the best of condition on the day. Grant Findlay & Nick Flavell were second with a super light green hen of good marking and condition. The Thorpe & Stanley partnership benched a good double factor yellow cock in third place. Jennifer Fielding won the junior any age award in this colour.

Jerry Donovan staged another super light green cock to win the young bird award and Best Spangle Green in Show. This was followed by Dave Gilman’s lovely double factor spangle yellow hen in second place. Sam Wildes from the novice section was third with an opaline grey green cock, which was slightly ticked.

Bob Ellis judged the 77 spangle blues, which was the same entry as last year. He awarded the best spangle blue and best spangle in show to Jerry Donovan with a super headed skyblue cock with good spangle spots but not always steady on the perch. A super headed quality cinnamon skyblue hen from the Guppy & Barnes partnership was second but could have been presented better on the day. The Cheatley & Alcorn partnership was third with a skyblue cock of good length but not of the head quality of the previous winners. Mike Peel won the any age double factor spangle white with a cock and Jennifer Fielding won the junior any age award.

Jerry Donovan made a clean sweep in the spangle section by winning his fourth CC and best spangle young bird in show with a quality skyblue hen of solid body, good head and spangle wing markings. His double factor spangle white cock was third best and best double factor spangle in show, exhibiting a good profile. A well-marked grey cock from Mick Widdowson was second. Jennifer Fielding won the best junior young bird in show with a young hen.

Jerry Donovan with his winning Spangles

* indicates a non-SBBA member