Howden: No rest for the volunteers taking on a year-round job

FEW visitors are aware of the planning, preparation and – more often not than not – heartache, that goes into staging a traditional country show. They mostly rely on teams of volunteers whose only motivation is a commitment to ensuring that this traditional aspect of country life continues. As a member of the Howden Show committee, this is how my year panned out.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jul 2010, 17:27 BST
Updated 16th Jul 2010, 17:28 BST

September 2009

The committee AGM in early September– an opportunity for any new committee members to come forward.

Those willing to share the workload are welcomed with open arms. Roles and tasks are allocated and we take stock of the successes of the last show and identify areas for improvement. The treasurer gives an update. Bad weather on show day can have a dire effect on takings and has, in the past, left funds firmly in the red.

October and November

Our 2010 show will be a major milestone – it's the 130th.

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The date is set and the committee agrees to meet monthly. We're keen to hear local views and decide to produce a feedback form for people to pick up in local shops or on the show's website. It gets publicity in the local media, but only a handful of people take the time to respond.

December

The pace steps up a gear. Julia Spenceley, the show secretary, produces a detailed timetable for the committee. Julia finds herself involved in everything from making bunting to decorating the marquees to baking cakes and making sandwiches. She will also oversee the dog show, successfully reintroduced last year.

January-February

One committee member takes on handicrafts, another horticulture and so on. Information about each of the classes must be finalised by the end of January so that the schedule can be designed and printed. Rosettes and trophies are ordered.

Jean Harford, in charge of handicrafts, says, "I met the person who had masterminded it for the past few years and we agreed the classes for the schedule. Job done, or so I thought.

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We will still need to collect entries from the schools, display them, set out tables, take entries on the day, support the judges, record the prize winners and take any work that has not been collected back to the schools – phew."

March

Attractions and entertainment have been booked. Trade stands have been persuaded to attend and allocated space on the showground. This generates hundreds of pounds of revenue. Local businesses are encouraged to book advertising space in the programme.

April

Groundsman Richard Blee is busy putting the finishing touches to the showground plan. But our application for grant funding has been unsuccessful. Sally Blee says, "I've attended the show every year and decided it was time to put my money where my mouth is and join in. I took on the project of applying for lottery funding and help secure its future. We didn't get it, which leaves me wondering about the future."

May

Copies of the programme go on sale at local shops. Discussion turns to the buffet for the members' tent where there will be free refreshments on the day. A list of volunteers who will staff the gates and help out is drawn up.

June

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Signs and banners are in place and local newspapers have the information they need. Tickets for the show go on sale. A newcomer to the committee, Jean Harford, says "It has been a real eye opener. The amount of work that members put in is fantastic."

July

The final countdown. Fingers crossed for good weather.Howden Show, Sunday 18 July, at The Ashes Howden.

CW 17/7/10

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