Yet, when the Club Show was held in 1952 it could only muster 650 entries, the lowest number on record. The figure climbed up to 3,000 but fell to 2,500 in 1959. If you divide the number of entries by ten you get a rough indication of the number of exhibitors. The Club Show has enjoyed its best shows whilst at Doncaster in spite of the complaints about declining membership. It is clear that the majority of those who are or have been members of the B. S. or other societies, have no interest in showing their birds, yet we occupy most of our time arranging club meetings where you discuss the exhibition bird, show rules, politics, etc.
People are interested in birds.
You have only to look at the enquiries, which come out of the Internet. They are there in their thousands, but just a few seem to show interest in exhibition birds. I have already mentioned in this column that we have to consider making our club meetings more of a social occasion and not a political arena. The exhibition bird is of course the ultimate aim, but it should be brought in easy stages to newcomers and not forced down their necks from day one. Those who are new to the hobby should not be encouraged to buy exhibition birds as their first purchases.