THE SHOW SEASON IS UPON US
In the UK the Show Season starts in earnest in July each year, peaks around August and September and then culminates at the end of November with the Budgerigar Society World Show in Doncaster. The Budgerigar World Show, in years past, used to be considered the commencement of the season with the date being August it would now be clearly in the thick of things. Who will be our major winners this year only time will tell but if the results of recent years are anything to go by, fanciers that are hardly known now may become household names within the next 6 months.
At the time, the 1993 Show Season was anticipated as being special for another reason because it may well have beeen the last year that mainland Britain was isolated from the rest of Europe, so far as movement of birds for exhibition purposes was concerned. Unfortunately this never came to pass. However, perhaps sometime in the future, with the relaxation of the barriers between the various countries, can we expect to see some of the other European fanciers exhibiting in the UK? To try and get a feel for the views from these countries I recently wrote to European fanciers for their thoughts.
Wilhelm Kohout - Austria
A Budgerigar Exhibition for all European Birds would be highly desirable and I would hope that we would see British breeders at the 'Europa Championat' in Karslruhe, Germany, that is organised by the AZ-DWV. For myself it would be a great opportunity to show my birds in England and particularly to compare my Spangles with those of the UK, having been awarded Best Opposite Sex with a Spangle at Karlsruhe.
To exhibit in the 'mother country' of Budgerigar Breeding would bring many positive effects and enrichment to our hobby.
Alain Delille - France
I am quite sure that many French Budgerigar Breeders will be most happy to exhibit in the United Kingdom, especially to make comparisons and perhaps to also buy some good budgerigars. However, in my view the French Budgerigar Fancy is divided into two parts; there are those who look to Germany for their birds and improvements and those who like England and English Budgerigars.
When asked if I would be tempted to show my Budgerigars in England when free movement is introduced, my first thoughts were, why not ask me. "Do you believe that the British fanciers will show their teams on the Continent, to prove that they are still on the top in terms of overall quality - especially after all the publicity that the fantastic German Budgerigars have been given!"
However, this was not the question and yes I would love to show my best Budgerigars at any of the top show in the UK but there is the question of cost. For me and other fanciers, living in Denmark, it would be an outlay of at least £800 and not to forget the bar bill on the Saturday evening, which I could never face!
Gian Stefano Grazioli - Italy
To be able to exhibit birds in the United Kingdom when free movement of birds between European countries is possible will be excellent. Not only will we be able to carry out true comparisons but we will be able to hold meaningful discussions about the birds with the fanciers of the various countries. This will also mean that should you wish to purchase a bird then the expensive and time-consuming as Customs procedures will no longer be necessary.
Peter van Amelsvoort - Netherlands
When free movement of birds into England is permitted I would like to exhibit my birds, as it would be the only way to compare continental birds with birds from the UK. I don't think I would do it every year, more likely every other year and then with only a small team of 2 to 4 birds. The reasons for this are:
Whether I show at the BS Show will depend on the dates and my other commitments.
Currently, I visit the UK every other year to buy a good outcross and to visit friends in the hobby. Showing and buying would be a good combination.
Didier Mervilde - Belgium
Personally I think that the time is overdue for the British authorities to be more flexible with regards to such matters as the movement of show birds in and out of the country. I certainly would exhibit my birds in the UK and as Chairman of the Belgium Budgerigar Club I would promote this movement to all of our members. However, will the British breeders also come to the Continent to show their birds - I sincerely hope so, as it would be splendid to see all of the top breeders at a truly European Show because only then could we speak of a European Championship
Paul Guyer-Bucher - Switzerland
I would - with regret- be unable to exhibit my birds in the UK. This is because there is no free movement of birds back into Switzerland. Unfortunately the Swiss people decided on the 6th December 1992, with a very small majority of 0.60% against the EWR.
Hopefully in the future the International Budgerigar Organisation, can solve this problem for the benefit of our Budgerigar breeders.
There is little doubt that we have some interesting times ahead and also a number of difficulties to overcome in terms of Show Regulations, when the time comes that we can exhibit throughout Europe. For the UK fancy the main problems will, I am sure, revolve around the ring issue date and of exhibiting bought birds. I sincerely hope that this does not jeopardise the opportunity that the British fancier has of demonstrating that they still have the Best Birds in Europe!