CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW WEEKEND 2007

Saturday Evening .

After the show completed.....

After judging had completed on Saturday evening there was a presentation by the Pennine Carters to Anne Longbottom who was there on behalf of the Animal Cancer Trust. The carter's had raised a magnificent £3,500 for this very worthy cause which is all too appropriate for our breed. The carting groups raise enormous amounts for charities and this facet of their activities is often overlooked so we're pleased to remind everyone here.

Pauline Bullock and the Pennine Carters present Anne Longbottom with a cheque for £3,500 for the Animal Cancer Trust.

Around about the same time there was another well attended presentation to Champion Nellie Pledge JW and her owner Michelle Gurney. This was made following a collection from well wishers who wanted to mark her fantastic achievement in breaking the breed record for CC's. The previous record was 33 and Nellie currently has 42.

There were speeches from .....

.... Martin (unaccustomed as I am......) Shepherd.....

.....Anne (its all down to me) Gerrard.....

..........and presentations included a specially commissioned painting of Nelly......

.......and a celebration cake.

Nelly was given favourite toys and then everyone was treated to snacks and champagne. This was the first time anyone could recall Michelle being speechless!!!!!

The Saturday Night "Do"....

By unanimous comments received the Saturday evening event this year was a roaring success. In the well appointed new function room there was an instant lively atmosphere as the tables filled up and the chatter and laughter grew louder, building up towards the great evening that was to come.

Starting with the Fun Dog Quiz which seemed to stimulate lots of discussion and certainly got everybody talking and despite the variety of questions, there wasn't one answer that someone in the room didn't get the correct answer to (what a sad lot you are!!) Everyone seemed to be in such a good mood that no one seemed to care who won (and I can't remember, OK it was the Splashdogs team of Lianne, David and Neil) but such was the support that they pocketed well over £70 between them. I'm very pleased to say they proceeded to spend this during the auction!

Trifle galore!

Then came the food which also seemed to go down well (pun intended!). There was a bit of queuing to endure for a while but what event have you been to where there isn't a rush when the buffet is declared open. There was some of the main buffet left over and lots of puddings and trifle so well done to everyone involved.

After some music and singing came the auction which again seemed to cause some lively interaction as some people got quite competitive. The star item of the night was the wall hanging, but the items from Switzerland were also very popular.

The night then gradually developed into a "right old knees up" with singing and dancing into the early hours led by Malcolm's band who we extend our thanks and congratulations to. With a guest appearance by "Freddie Mercury" as one of the features, most people when asked the next day couldn't fault the night, so thanks to everyone for all the positive feedback, much of which was unsolicited.

We can only say if you didn't come you missed a real treat and we have a dilemma to address for next year as the room was barely big enough as it was and an event as well received as this one is bound to want to grow. So thank you to everyone who came and contributed to a memorable night with their Bernese friends.

"Freddie" popped in to clean up for us, I think someone did "break free"! (Is it true Tim hasn't been seen since Saturday evening?)

All the best dance floors are crowded ones.

Move over Bono (well perhaps not)!

I'm guessing that this represents how some people will remember the evening!!

Thank you and See you next year?

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