The August Bank holiday weekend brought the annual West End Show to the green. We competed well with Hampton Court and Sandown Variety Club Race Day and the show was well supported by large crowds all afternoon.
The entries to the show classes were above average, but slightly down on the record numbers of the previous year, perhaps due to the hot July and water shortages. Nevertheless the standard of the exhibits was very high, and some of the classes were particularly well supported – there were over 20 Cherry cakes for the judge to decide between. A number of entries, including some giant marrows and pumpkins, flowers and cakes, were left to be auctioned at the end of the show.
Some enthusiastic bidding organised by Ian Richardson from Garsons, enabled over £120 to be raised for charity.
The show was lucky enough to have the British Legion band from Farnborough , who provide a splendid variety of band music. A number of the band had been or were professional musicians and they contributed to a very high standard.
The dog show as well supported with record entries of over 120 beautiful dogs, it was certainly made it a difficult task for the judges.
There were plenty of activities for the children as well: several races, well attended performance by the Clown, and an enormous bouncy castle provided by Esher News and Mail. The children’s rides were traditional and low tech, and were very much enjoyed particularly by the younger children. The children’s sports were keenly contested with Theo Pittarides winning the Junior Challenge cup, and Jessica Roberts winning the older children’s Alan Hunter Memorial Cup.
There were many charity stalls who raised money on the day, and who were along side the commercial stalls. The local Masonic Lodge had a particularly enterprising artificial putting course, which was popular with both golfers and would be golfers.
Financially the show did well and the committee hope to make some large donations to local charities again this year. The committee is delighted to be well support by the residents of West End and by local businesses.
