The CCBA Scottish Group hosted a truly memorable event with a total of 279 birds benched breaking the previous record of 185 exhibits. When taking into consideration that the average number of exhibits over the last few years was around the 140 mark, it was an amazing achievement this year, even bucking the trend when lots of clubs up and down the country are unfortunately experiencing a drop in entries. The objective next year is to break the 300 barrier. The number of exhibitors also increased that included 2 new junior exhibitors, namely: Kieran Bain from Fife and Samantha Taylor from Tyne & Wear

Another encouraging feature of the show was a higher than usual number of visitors, this included those in the fancy outwith the Colour Canary fraternity who had seen Cage & Aviary Birds ‘What’s on this week’ article on page 3. Full praise should be given to the record number of exhibitors who travelled lengthy distances, even driving through inclement weather conditions to reach the show hall on time - top class fanciers like Brian Ward and Tommy Dennett from Manchester, Ron Hill and Ash Foster from Cleveland, Brian Gillen, Tony Kelly and Paul McGregor from Carlisle, George McVay and Dial & Patterson from Tyne & Wear, Kevin McCrickard from Cumbria and Ernie Scothern from Co. Durham. A special mention though of the Taylor family from Tyne & Wear who all made the long journey to Grangemouth, not only to exhibit their birds but to combine a Christmas shopping trip to Edinburgh’s famous Princes Street. The shopping trip was a must for Steven’s wife Emma and daughter Samantha, and not to be outdone was Granddad Ken and Grandmother Jean who joined in this great seasonal family day out.

The hard work by all the members of the club can be summed up in one word – MAGNIFICENT, this teamwork clearly helped the event to be the resounding success it was. The saying, ‘The Show must go on’ was never more apt when only 125 birds were exhibited last year because of atrocious weather conditions, but the reward this year was great with a record breaking entry.

A word of thanks goes to George Philpot from Middlesex who was making his first trip to Scotland. He judged the birds to his customary very high standards and commented on the first class quality of the exhibits. George also said that if it was possible, he would like to return to Scotland next year, as an exhibitor.

All the winners are to be applauded for their achievements, but pride and place must surely go to the Ron Hill & Ash Foster partnership who have been consistent winners throughout the entire show season, following on from where they left off last year and the previous year.

Main section winners: Best exhibit, best champion flighted and unflighted intensive red, Hill & Foster; best champion flighted and unflighted non-intensive red, Brian Ward; best champion flighted or unflighted red ivory, Hill & Foster, best champion flighted red ivory, Kelly & McGregor; best variegated (champion & novice), Brian Gillen; best opposite sex to best clear, ticked or variegated (champion or Novice), Dave White; best melanin exhibit, best champion red black, best champion red ground melanin, Brian Meichan; best champion red ivory ground melanin, Bill Maley; best champion yellow, white or yellow ivory ground melanin, Ernie Scothern; best new colour hybrid (champion or novice), Dave White; best novice exhibit, best novice unflighted non-intensive red, Dave Sim; best novice flighted or unflighted intensive red, Kevin McCrickard; best novice unflighted intensive red, Robert Craig; best novice melanin exhibit, Kevin McCrickard; best novice red ground melanin, Kevin McCrickard; best novice yellow, white or yellow ivory ground self, George McVay; best junior exhibit, Kieran Bain.