Wowsers Pilgrims - pat yourselves on your backs - you did us proud
We simply cannot thank everyone enough for pulling together to make this show the best EVER
But, we're going to try anyway
Some couldn't make it on the day, but were invaluable with our pre-show prep, notably
janeto , Tony, and our very good friends from Companies House. Not to mention those who sold raffle tickets before the day!
AlisonS Sian A ,
sigviv and
rhysedwards - who also helped pre-show by being designated driver and helping load up the van - and
everyone who who helped us boost Acer's vet fund by selling tickets pre-show - we're really sad if you couldn't join us on the day, but hope you will enjoy the photo's, and be proud to have been a part of it
Not everyone made it into the photo's, Pilgrims
Ricki Brothwell and
shell17 , were up and running at the crack of dawn, and spent the day welcoming visitors to the show.
Gatekeepers extraordinaire - from early doors till last task of the day - unpacking the van at our store in Cardiff, treasuring the treasury, being the welcoming 'face of Friends' to the show, and not afraid of a bit of heavy lifting either! Thanks both!
Nicola and Julia - thank you soooo much for getting up with the dawn chorus and hitting the floor running verrrrrry early doors on the day! And for helping us support Kim's Home by selling raffle tickets on Wendy's behalf, covering on the Admissions, and being such fab Pilgrims on the day!
stefano and Maurizio were also sterling 'dawn till dusk' Pilgrims
Despite being put in mortal peril by yours truly - I did an unforgivable thing when we arrived at the showground - I jumped out of my car, left our Pilgrims in the back passenger seats, and forgot I had child-locks on the rear passenger doors
Thankfully, our intrepid Pilgrims managed to escape by climbing over to the front seats. Ironically, our two heroes spent the day filling water bowls around the showground, whilst listening to me bang on over the tannoy about the irresponsibility of leaving dogs in cars during warm weather. Yup - it wouldn't have been a good day if I'd killed two our of Pilgrims
Stefano, I'm so so sorry, I was mortified when I realised what I had done, and you and Maurizio were unbelievably forgiving! Thanks for staying until the very end, for helping us unload the van. I will never, ever live down the fact that I left two volunteers trapped in a hot car
Sooooo, Team Entries! Sterling work as ever!
becky and Emma were joined by
kirstypowell and her mum, and things went swimmingly at Entries!
Ladies, you were amazing
Our stalls - Barks & Sparks, Doggy Tombola, Cuddly Toy Tombola, were manned by troupers throughout the day!
babs and Rhian,
eve1984 and Kacey,
miggy & Co, Team
collie ,
Jayne001 & Lisa, Lizzy & Sam - thank you so much
Jayne, and Lisa...
babs and Rhian
eve1984 
jenc took the helm at the Raffle
And was ably assisted on the day by Team Gina!
pinkpixie Ollie and Stewie were irresitable in their Friends bandanas
And we are hugely indebted to Tara, who single-handedly persuaded our local Spa's and Hotels to donate such fabulous Pamper Prizes for the raffle!
The 'Have a Go's' were a hoot - as always! Massive thanks to
charliblogs and
shelleymarie for getting the Doggy Dash off the mark (photo's and vids to follow)! And to
hayles71 and Liz for throwing the first sausage! And to Sarah for 'going solo' in the afternoon slot!
And to Charli and Shelley for multi-tasking on the day! Providing cover in the rings, capturing the day on camera, and filling in so all our vols could have a break from their duties and enjoy seeing some of the attractions!
We didn't get pics of Best Sausage Catcher, but we have it on verrrrry good authority from Chester that is was the BEST take-out meal of the day!
Ringmaesters
Jen and
cheryl were superb, as ever, as Nudge the Judge and Ring Marshall
The Dog show ran like clockwork, and our rather camera-shy dynamic duo kept everything running smoothly with tickety tock timing
A rare glimpse of Cheryl with Lola, (who stands in for Jen in any and every photo opportunity)
To everyone who was there, who helped on the day, we would like to say a mahoosive
The smile count on the day was sky high...
....
I know, for sure, I have missed out some of our key volunteers. The day went so quickly, it was like a blur! Without a doubt I'll be hitting the 'edit' button on this thread, to add our thanks to you if I've missed you from our 'mentioned in dispatches'
But if you were there helping on the day, or before the day, if you were a part of it, we'd very much like to invite you to join us for a post-show get-together.
We have block-booked tickets to the Crafty Devils Birthday Party - July 1st, Starting at 6pm, in the Crafty Beer Cellar, Canton, Cardiff. There will be street food, bands and plenty of craft beer! They also have a very special beer to launch on the night and a renaming of one of their signature brews!
If you can join us, please post up here! Tickets are paid for, all you have to do is let us know you can come, and turn up on the night!
Purple Pilgrims - you rock!
Huge thank you to all the Purple Pilgrims who gave up their Bank Holiday to help out, we really do appreciate it. Hope everyone had a good day! I would personally like to thank Kirsty and her mum who played a blinder with me and Emma on Entries! You got stuck in with no fuss and didnt stop all day! It was great having the extra help and you made Team Entries a big success. We would love to have you back next year x
Huge thank you to all the Purple Pilgrims who gave up their Bank Holiday to help out, we really do appreciate it. Hope everyone had a good day! I would personally like to thank Kirsty and her mum who played a blinder with me and Emma on Entries! You got stuck in with no fuss and didnt stop all day! It was great having the extra help and you made Team Entries a big success. We would love to have you back next year x
I will defo be coming on July 1st! And yes, a huge shout out to you Susie! Kacey said you were like super woman at the show and she is not wrong 
