Andover (SHC) 17th June 2017

[Fluffagrams]

Originally Posted by AprilPearl

The no card thing is really helpful to know, thank you! I can just imagine finding a lovely hamster and being unable to pay. Will make sure to take some cash out. Is there a usual price for a hamster, or does it vary?

The average price is usually about £10 but there may be others on the table that may be priced differently. I'm sure Kim would be happy to advise if you had any questions.
I've known a couple of shows where there's not been many hamsters for sale although from what I've seen, that tends to happen more in the Winter when hamsters are less likely to breed.

Originally Posted by AprilPearl

Would love to come and say hi. Stupid question, but what does pen stuarding involve? Just to make sure I don’t walk up to the wrong person! Oh also, I need to point out in advance that I am not terribly rude - just painfully shy. So, sorry if I come across as awkward.

A Pen Steward basically brings all the hamsters to the judge for judging and then arranges them back on the bench in points order. They're one of the people permitted in what is known as the 'judging ring' and often wear a white coat or tabard.

The hamsters are usually divided into two sections Syrian and Dwarf (Campbells, Winter White, Chinese and Roborovski) and judged separately by different judges. The Dwarf pens are brown and the Syrian pens are black so it should be easy for you to see what section you're looking at.

You'll also see two people sat at separate tables within the judging ring, again, they will usually be wearing white coats or tabards. One will be the judge and the other will be the Book Steward, who writes down all the comments and scores from the judge.

Originally Posted by AprilPearl

Ah thank you. That is so kind. Wish you could see it too. I am sure someone will post lots of pictures, though I will try to take some myself if I can and I remember!

I usually try and take some photos for the Southern Hamster Club website and do my best to get them up within a week of the show but we do welcome submissions from others too.

All the show galleries can be found at: Show Galleries 2017 – The Southern Hamster Club

[flowerfairy]

Just realised that this show is less than two hours away from me by train. I am tempted if I can get someone to care for Mother/animals for the day ... we will see.

I would love another agouti roborovski.

[Vectis Hamstery]

I'll be at Andover. I've got a duprasi and some hammies going to new homes, plus a new doop arrival. I hope the weather's nice so Rogue and I can sit outside.

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

I so wish I was in England right now so I could experience your hamster shows. Hope everyone has a wonderful time. Especially you Aprilpearl.

[AprilPearl]

Fluffagrams thank you for answering my questions. I hope there will be a few hams for sale next week (after all, I really only need there to be one for sale! Though I am sure I wouldn't be the only person to want him/her), but if not then there's a show in Bath next month and that would be a great excuse to visit such a lovely city. Not sure if a hamster would enjoy the long journey back to London, though...

Showing sounds more complicated than I thought. Really looking forward to seeing it all in action.

Oh, one more thing. What time does the show finish?

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

Thanks for link fluffagrams will keep an eye out for new photos of the show. Awh April bath sounds lovely! I would LOVE to go to bath one day to see the famous assembly rooms and pump room. It's a beautiful city and I am a huge Jane Austen fan

[Fluffagrams]

Originally Posted by AprilPearl

Fluffagrams thank you for answering my questions. I hope there will be a few hams for sale next week (after all, I really only need there to be one for sale! Though I am sure I wouldn't be the only person to want him/her), but if not then there's a show in Bath next month and that would be a great excuse to visit such a lovely city. Not sure if a hamster would enjoy the long journey back to London, though...

A lot of the breeder hams seem to travel quite well and usually just go to sleep in their carrier. If you do need to travel from Bath with a hamster though, we can help out with some travel tips to make things as easy as possible.

Originally Posted by AprilPearl

Showing sounds more complicated than I thought. Really looking forward to seeing it all in action.

It sounds more complicated in writing than it actually is. I remember when I read about what Pen Stewarding involved, I thought I'd never get my head around it - particularly when you might have two dwarves in a pen but I didn't find things too bad once I'd seen it.

Originally Posted by AprilPearl

Oh, one more thing. What time does the show finish?

It can depend on things like how many hamsters are entered and how quickly the Show Sec is able to process all the paperwork but most of the shows I've been to will usually finish between 4-6pm. Pets are judged at 2pm and there is the Pet Class presentations after judging of that section is complete. That's usually about 3-3:30pm but it depends on how many pets thee are.

Originally Posted by Golden_Syrian_Hammmies

Thanks for link fluffagrams will keep an eye out for new photos of the show. Awh April bath sounds lovely! I would LOVE to go to bath one day to see the famous assembly rooms and pump room. It's a beautiful city and I am a huge Jane Austen fan

Bath is a fantastic city and I feel fortunate to live so close. If you ever come to Bath and you're a Jane Austen fan, then do pay a visit to the Jane Austen Centre and take a photo with the greeter there... he's such a lovely, jolly chap.

I'll put the direct link with the photos from the show up in this thread when they're online so everyone can have a look.

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

How could I forget the Jane Austen center! I have seen pictures that's so cool you live so close! My sister and I had planned to go a few years ago but then it didn't happen. Maybe one day il get a visit.

[AprilPearl]

Originally Posted by Fluffagrams

A lot of the breeder hams seem to travel quite well and usually just go to sleep in their carrier. If you do need to travel from Bath with a hamster though, we can help out with some travel tips to make things as easy as possible.

Oh that's a relief. I was concerned that such a long journey might freak him/her out. It's 2 hours by car, from me. If I do end up going to Bath, I may ask for those tips beforehand if you don't mind!

Originally Posted by Fluffagrams

It can depend on things like how many hamsters are entered and how quickly the Show Sec is able to process all the paperwork but most of the shows I've been to will usually finish between 4-6pm. Pets are judged at 2pm and there is the Pet Class presentations after judging of that section is complete. That's usually about 3-3:30pm but it depends on how many pets thee are.

Great. I'll probably be spending a fair amount of the day there then.

One thing I am worried about is that, according to Kim, you can see the hamsters which will be for sale from 10am, but can't buy or reserve them until 10:30am. So, I expect that if I do see one that I like, there will be other people who want him/her too.

Originally Posted by Fluffagrams

Bath is a fantastic city and I feel fortunate to live so close. If you ever come to Bath and you're a Jane Austen fan, then do pay a visit to the Jane Austen Centre and take a photo with the greeter there... he's such a lovely, jolly chap.

Loved the Jane Austen centre when I visited before, but didn't take a photo with the greeter so I'll have to remember that for next time. You know, if I am free, I might go to the Bath show even if I do get a hamster next weekend... I need an excuse

[AprilPearl]

Won't be going to Andover this time, as everything is a bit busy with my brother back from uni, and I'm probably going to be watching him row. If I didn't have Quigley, I would go. And, if things weren't so busy I'd go anyway. But, they are. So, my first show will have to be at a later date, I think! Will be awaiting pictures