THE search is on to find a willing volunteer to organise one of the most popular sections of the annual Bowes Show.
Denise Marmont has stood down as secretary of the industrial and horticultural classes at the annual show, which this year takes place on Saturday, September 13.
Ms Marmont took over as secretary when the show was staged for the first time after covid and called time on her tenure at the latest annual meeting.
With preparations now under way for this year’s show, organisers are keen to recruit her successor. Industrial and horticultural classes cover everything from flowers and veg to bread, cakes and drinks, along with photography, handicrafts and arts and crafts for both juniors and seniors.
Ms Marmont said being secretary of the section had been an honour and “lovely to do”.
She said the role would suit someone who was well organised and used to handling administrative tasks and involves working alongside a committee of volunteers. There are also a number of tasks to be undertaken throughout the year – not simply in the week of the show.
“It usually starts in the new year, approaching judges for all the various classes before they get booked up,” explained Ms Marmont.
“Then there is the schedule to go through with the committee, checking the classes and making suggestions for any alterations. May is the deadline for putting the schedule together.”
Once the schedule is out, there are all the entry details and payments to take before the show catalogue is published.
On show week itself, there is the set-up to be done in the giant marquee, where, like a giant jigsaw, all the entries are laid out in their sections.
Ms Marmont said there was no set way to run the section.
“Everybody who has done it has done it their own way,” she said.
“It would be good if someone who has shown and sees how it works comes forward, but we are looking for someone with enthusiasm, who is organised and who has a sense of humour.
“I am more than happy to let people know how I have done it and then they can take it forward to the next stage. It is a thriving section, it is actually growing and is one of the biggest industrial sections of all the local shows. It would be a real shame if no-one comes forward.”
Anyone interested should contact [email protected] or call 07989 665 640.
