|
|
The Douglas Cup came to Wimbledon again. This, it is believed, is because Croydon didn't make any entries.
I hear that next year it will be open for all eight Surrey Divisions. If so we will have to fight a bit harder to keep winning it for Wimbledon. Entries in the open classes are high and the competition is stiff. Even obtaining a placing is worthy of high credit. In contrast the County Classes are a relative
"doddle".
The average
number of entries in the Surrey classes this year was just under 2.5. Getting just a few basic things right, you can easily get double your entry fees in prizes. On the Saturday
I looked to see how my entries had done and found that my mead, in class 112, was missing and no card to list the entries. |
| Thinking it hadn't been staged and thus not judged,
I was boiling up to make a complaint but the staging secretary couldn't be found at the time. Fred had a similar experience with his cut comb in class 108, in which no award was made. Had the judges missed this class ? as the listing card was
missing and his cut comb did well in other classes. Never the less I don't pour icy cold water
on Fred's wins. He would still come out on tops with far greater competition, as he has frequently proven before.
I mention C Mence in the list. He showed a wax moulding of an elaborate hexagonal shield . Clive Mence is a well known face from Kingston and gave credit, in a mention beside the entry, to H Lamb for making the original carved wooden shield in a show case, and also to me for making the silicon rubber mould in which to cast it. Beeswax
is not an ideal material for making large scale mouldings as it shrinks on cooling far more than the popular plastics,
pvc, polymethane, polystyrene etc, used for similar casts.
Any anticipation that safety, fire and security regulations would be relaxed at Hendon, after the Kensington based shows were proved to be quiet foundless . Not only was a similar or same rulebook issued to all stand holders beforehand but a new requirement was introduced which called for all table covers and overhangs to be non flammable. This expensive demand gave me and all the traders concern for presentation and tidiness of the tables. However this
was solved on the setup day (Wednesday) when the staging men distributed enough Burgundy red tablecloths for all the entry tables and the traders too. Hence the red covering that we all saw.
Labels
Fred and I have devised different answers to meet the new honey labeling regulations. Fred had some new labels printed at the National to include a "Best Before" date and
"UK" and "Lot No" all on the one label. And I, harbouring my perennial mean streak, didn't relish the idea of discarding my stock of labels,
I thus ordered 1000 Abel labels to show "best before 2005 or 6 or 7 " on each of six lines. These cut into discrete strips give me 6000 labels. Enough to see me out. These are planned to stick on immediately beneath my existing labels. The 'UK' and "Lot No"
I write in, with a permanent ink markers.
Seeing the aircraft was a dream. It brings back so many memories of the aircraft recognition sessions in the A.T.C and in the Air Works itself. I've flown in Avrio Ansons and in Lancasters in WW 2. The aircraft in such an extensive collection were displayed with obvious pride. Such huge machines when you stand so near to them: yet so tiny when seen way up in the sky. The biggest were in the bomber hall, you could get light refreshments in there and sit at tables surrounded by fighter-bombers, helicopters and flying boats. There was a huge Vulcam bomber nearby and a Wellington bomber, noted for it's geodectic fuselage construction. The Anson had been fished up from it's watery grave and although tidies up, it didn't look too well after it's sojurn in the wet. Nearby was a Blenheim bomber, a Spitfire and a Hurricane. This list is totally inadequate. Just go there!
Beyond the sales/souvenirs/books department by the entrance, a plastic clad tunnel led us to another large building housing historic and generally lighter aircraft. Some were suspended from the roof. From a viewing gallery on the second floor Fred pointed out a basket arrangement hanging from the top. Asked if
I knew what it was, I didn't, but could see a model occupant in leather, a flying helmet, goggles and a pair of binoculars. In WW1 at the front line, these volunteers courageously ascended aloft and equipped with "bins" and a compass, observed what was developing across the front line.
|
|
Across the car park another building called the battle of Britain Hall seemed even bigger.
I lacked the opportunity to to get my nose inside it, but did hear that one of my
favourites, the Lysander was in there. I am now hankering for next years National so
I can see more of the aircraft
I got help finding my way there. I followed Fred's red van both there and back. He knows some of the best through routes.
I am thus prepared to pick my own way there next year. I left my car there during the three days and commuted by underground. If you pick the right train you can go from Morden to Collingdale on the Northern line without changing. Easier that way. My DIY Beekeeping enjoyed it's share of attention. I do enjoy the staunch support from my assistants and thank them for their reliable help.
Norman Chapman |
|
