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Yep! I DID stick my hand up and say "Me Miss! Pick ME Miss!", because actually, I can't think of a nicer thing to do for your community, and quite frankly, even though two of the blokes previously asked, who turned it down, are prolly more knowledgeable and capable, it did take a girl, (so 'break open The Tinnies Sheila') to grab a hold of the reins in a meaningful way.
And I am here to tell you that I am loving every minute of it.
For now, I'm basing these notes on a show to be held on 2nd July this year, but this will not always be the case......
Thankfully, the retiring organiser, Pat, and her charming husband, Alan, have kept impeccable files over the last 20 years, so I have had the time of my life in the last month, delving, digging and researching into two decades of veritable Lands of Dibley....
Until you begin to get your head round trying to organise your local Village Produce Show, you have no idea of what's involved or the complexity of timings and detail, and I will ever be indebted to you both for your records, and personal help, so my sincere thanks.X
So! First off...Decide on your Show Date, and make sure to book your venue and any marquees etc. and then: Get your letters of invitation off in the post to ask your Judges to judge each category. This should be done by about 20th February, if you can manage that, and do include an SAE for their reply, detailing dates, times, categories you'd like their expertise on, and refreshments available for them.
At the same time, having chosen who you would like to 'Open' your Village Show, send a letter to them also, but don't enclose an SAE for their response, as it isn't cricket evidently.
Next up, you're going to need to update your Show Schedule from the previous year, which means a new front cover (new date, opener, tea & cake peeps etc.) and on the inside, new titles for things like Photography, Art, Cookery and Kiddy Winkies Classes etc. which, we think should change every year, to light the candle of creativity within your Villagers' hearts.
Once those new titles have been chosen, it's a good idea to send them to your local Parish Magazine, to get them printed, giving everyone plenty of time to grow their produce, to paint, to take photographs, etc.
I'm a great believer in applauding 'The Unsung Heroes', and every show has a multitude of these brilliant peoples who work so effectively behind the scenes to make the whole show appear 'effortless'..... The Invaluables.
The Invaluables....people like Gina who has retyped and put this years' schedule onto a memory stick that I can use later (once I find out what one is, obviously!)
Stewards to help the Judges, Results Peeps, Tea and Cake Peeps, Judges Lunches Peeps, Cake Stall Peeps, Raffle Peeps, On The Door Peeps......... each and every one of them.....are the person that you admire, respect and love within your community, and they adore doing what they do, tirelessly, for their Village, each and every year, short of being on holiday or totally incapacitated.
And, provided they are willing and available, I see no need to upset an applecart where an applecart doesn't need upsetting. So, then, ask if they would like to take part in their Village Show again this year, and if they are unable to, you'll have time to look elsewhere.
My next major 'To Do Projects':
* Reduce the Vegetable & Fruit Section Category, because it's taking up too much table space to warrant the number of entries each year with insufficient entries in certain categories.
Ditto Cut Flower Section.
Then......
* choose the 'Recipe Provided' recipes for the Cookery Section, bearing in mind very busy Mummies, as well as peoples that have lots of time and would love to show their skills....
and my biggest challenge this year, where enthusiasm is currently lacking, is to kick-start the Children's Section into an exciting territory where they actively WANT to take part, which will also get their parents involved, even if by default!
On a personal note, I shall be happy to just not dreadfully mess up the show, where it was previously a rip-roaring success.
And let's hope that I do, indeed, achieve that small task.
In case I don't..... I'll Get My Coat......
Thank you for listening,
Wellie.
X
.
And I am here to tell you that I am loving every minute of it.
For now, I'm basing these notes on a show to be held on 2nd July this year, but this will not always be the case......
Thankfully, the retiring organiser, Pat, and her charming husband, Alan, have kept impeccable files over the last 20 years, so I have had the time of my life in the last month, delving, digging and researching into two decades of veritable Lands of Dibley....
Until you begin to get your head round trying to organise your local Village Produce Show, you have no idea of what's involved or the complexity of timings and detail, and I will ever be indebted to you both for your records, and personal help, so my sincere thanks.X
So! First off...Decide on your Show Date, and make sure to book your venue and any marquees etc. and then: Get your letters of invitation off in the post to ask your Judges to judge each category. This should be done by about 20th February, if you can manage that, and do include an SAE for their reply, detailing dates, times, categories you'd like their expertise on, and refreshments available for them.
At the same time, having chosen who you would like to 'Open' your Village Show, send a letter to them also, but don't enclose an SAE for their response, as it isn't cricket evidently.
Next up, you're going to need to update your Show Schedule from the previous year, which means a new front cover (new date, opener, tea & cake peeps etc.) and on the inside, new titles for things like Photography, Art, Cookery and Kiddy Winkies Classes etc. which, we think should change every year, to light the candle of creativity within your Villagers' hearts.
Once those new titles have been chosen, it's a good idea to send them to your local Parish Magazine, to get them printed, giving everyone plenty of time to grow their produce, to paint, to take photographs, etc.
I'm a great believer in applauding 'The Unsung Heroes', and every show has a multitude of these brilliant peoples who work so effectively behind the scenes to make the whole show appear 'effortless'..... The Invaluables.
The Invaluables....people like Gina who has retyped and put this years' schedule onto a memory stick that I can use later (once I find out what one is, obviously!)
Stewards to help the Judges, Results Peeps, Tea and Cake Peeps, Judges Lunches Peeps, Cake Stall Peeps, Raffle Peeps, On The Door Peeps......... each and every one of them.....are the person that you admire, respect and love within your community, and they adore doing what they do, tirelessly, for their Village, each and every year, short of being on holiday or totally incapacitated.
And, provided they are willing and available, I see no need to upset an applecart where an applecart doesn't need upsetting. So, then, ask if they would like to take part in their Village Show again this year, and if they are unable to, you'll have time to look elsewhere.
My next major 'To Do Projects':
* Reduce the Vegetable & Fruit Section Category, because it's taking up too much table space to warrant the number of entries each year with insufficient entries in certain categories.
Ditto Cut Flower Section.
Then......
* choose the 'Recipe Provided' recipes for the Cookery Section, bearing in mind very busy Mummies, as well as peoples that have lots of time and would love to show their skills....
and my biggest challenge this year, where enthusiasm is currently lacking, is to kick-start the Children's Section into an exciting territory where they actively WANT to take part, which will also get their parents involved, even if by default!
On a personal note, I shall be happy to just not dreadfully mess up the show, where it was previously a rip-roaring success.
And let's hope that I do, indeed, achieve that small task.
In case I don't..... I'll Get My Coat......
Thank you for listening,
Wellie.
X
.
(never judged knitting before but do have experience of judging horses and houseplants
)
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