Hall verses Country Shows

[Bunsey]

perhaps the hams could be arranged facing inwards towards the centre of the circle rather than outwards

[souffle]

It would not be so interesting for the public if they could not see the hams as they were facing in I don't think and these big shows really are a major publicity opportunity for the clubs and hamsters. We did think of having plastic barriers made so they could be seen and not poked but the cost and logistics og getting them to the shows was huge. We need a bigger tent so we can rope them off really

[Bourne Valley Hams]

It is a problem if you are short of space.
We are lucky with the Midland and Southern as most of the open shows we do are organised by Living Heritage. The organisers recognise what a draw the hamsters are to their shows and make sure that we are well looked after. At the country shows we share a big tent with rabbits and cavies but at the craft shows we are the only ones there and usually have quite a big tent all to ourselves.

[Bunsey]

i get that the public would want to see the hams, but i do worry about the safety of the hams, too. it wasn't just crowded last year it was horrific. i felt claustrophobic. every time i stopped to talk to someone, i was in the way of the flow of the scrum and people were shoving me this way and that. they really need to give us a bigger tent. I'm planning on selling some babbas at this show and it would be better if they weren't handled in a crush and you could hear yourself think to advise people. maybe it's just me because i'm crowd phobic

[internet_nobody]

I like the country shows, partly because there's other stuff to do but I also quite like talking to the public.

[I_am_plankton]

Also there's some seriously yummy food at the outdoor shows I'm in favour of Cinnamon nuts, frozen yogurt, chocolate cups (which I believe Disney Hams also loves from the amount of chocolate she wears after eating them lol), pancakes and cheese!

I also like the social side of it being able to talk to the public, making them aware etc. We had one girl in last Sunday at Monmouth who was told by a petshop that you can never play with WW's or Campbell's as they hate humans!

[BVMARK]

Originally Posted by I_am_plankton

Also there's some seriously yummy food at the outdoor shows I'm in favour of Cinnamon nuts, frozen yogurt, chocolate cups (which I believe Disney Hams also loves from the amount of chocolate she wears after eating them lol), pancakes and cheese!

I also like the social side of it being able to talk to the public, making them aware etc. We had one girl in last Sunday at Monmouth who was told by a petshop that you can never play with WW's or Campbell's as they hate humans!

Was that hate humans or EAT humans in some case's of campbells

[Moosley]

I think it was a typo, definately it is EAT humans, i accidentally put my hand in the cage whilst daring to offer a treat and nearly lost a finger with a campbell attatched to either side of it. Ok it was possibly my fault as I wasn't paying attention and they were sleepy and grumpy... as usual... but my syrians wouldn't bite me like that!

I need to handle some Campbells at a show as I am *really* starting to dislike them, I can handle them without getting bitten but thats usually because I scruff them before they get the chance! Though I was brave at Thame and stuck my hand in a whole tankfull of Argentes and grabbed one to show how nice they were (I had no idea really, was praying I didn't get bitten!!).

Back on topic, I think it depends on weather but its so hard to know in advance! I don't think I'll take my hamsters to a show like Thame again, it was so cold and I still don't know why I lost two of my show syrians and the third was looking decidedly dodgy for a week or so afterwards... They come out to talks and schools and get poked and prodded by 5 year olds and get to sit in carry cages for a couple of hours no problem so I doubt it was stress, I worry it was more the shock of cold weather which nothing can be done about really.

Excluding the weather, I definately prefer the Country Fairs and craft shows like Blenheim and Thame. I love the London Champs but those halls get absolutely stifling hot, or it has the last two years when I went, maybe I felt it more because I panic when I feel crowded in (oh joy to look forward to that again )

It would be nice to see a lot more hamster shows, it's just a shame its so much hassle and work to sort it, I wish I could be more reliable in getting to shows to do more to help.

One day I want to win the lottery! I could do so much!!

[internet_nobody]

Moo next time we're going to the same show get me to bring Vande and Graaff for you to have a poke, they're the most laid back campbells I've met! I don't think I'm going to get a pair again because other campbells eat me :P

[BVMARK]

Originally Posted by Moosley

I need to handle some Campbells at a show as I am *really* starting to dislike them, i can handle them without getting bitten but thats usually because i scruff them before they get the chance! Though i was brave at Thame and stuck my hand in a whole tank full of Argentes and grabbed one to show how nice they were (i had no idea really, was praying i didnt get bitten!!).

I have some argente's you can play with that are very tame and do display work