BTS Exhibition 2006 Gallery & Show report

 

 

 

BRITISH TARANTULA SOCIETY EXHIBITION 2006
Carl Portman – BTS Publicity Officer

What makes a good Exhibition? I have a few thoughts on the matter to help outline this report.

Motivation
Ray and Angela Hale continue to give BTS members and the public the opportunity to experience a cracking show, by steering the ship through another year of unpredictable seas. They do this with zeal, energy and enthusiasm, which is evident in the standard of presentation that is the BTS Exhibition. Again this year, so many people commented on how unique the show is and how it is an excellent opportunity to obtain and sell the spiders so dear to their hearts. Also to meet like-minded people who don’t possess the prejudices we have to combat on a daily basis.

Organisational skills
I can only imagine the late nights, the negotiations, the phone bills and commitment of time to organise our show. Right up to the last few days it was not known if we could enjoy the use of a second hall. When it was confirmed, Ray and Angela calmly put their plan into action to accommodate more people – this was good news for show goers as it meant they had a bigger range of potential spiders to choose from.
Their masterstroke this year was to ‘promote’ Kim Pennell to ‘committee roster police’ to ensure that committee members were putting in their shifts when and where they should. You just don’t argue with Kim – especially as she is qualified in martial arts. Nice move Ray, and well marshalled Kim!

Support
Without the support of Traders and the general public, there would of course be no exhibition. It was wonderful to see friends old and new and get the update on what was happening in the spider world and life generally. Strangely this year there did not seem to be so many questions about keeping spiders. Could if be that the fountain of curiosity has run dry? Are people becoming too shy to ask?
Despite that infernal setback we know as ‘rain’ there was an excellent turnout and Ray found it in his heart to let the queue in early to keep them dry!

Teamwork
I am sure the organisers would wish me to remind members how much effort is expended before, during and after the show. All the tables and chairs have to be colour coded and erected in the halls, then returned exactly correctly to their classrooms at the end. Floors have to be swept, signs removed and the school is security checked before departing. Much happens the day BEFORE the show, therefore we owe a debt of gratitude to those that make your day possible.

Reputation
The BTS Exhibition quite rightly enjoys a fine reputation. Old friends are embraced, new members are heartily welcomed and most of the species of spiders you could ever want are available at generally affordable prices. I have been to shows all over Europe and I remain convinced that the BTS show is amongst the friendliest and most informal. There is a spirit, not driven by money or commercial greed but by friendship and enjoyment.

Not only are superb spiders for sale, you have the opportunity to listen to lectures from experts in the field, free of charge. There are competitions to enable you to draw, photograph or submit your spiders as the stars of the show…the Crufts of the arachnid world!

The end bit…
Congratulations again to Ray and Angela and their band of brothers and sisters for putting on another first-class exhibition. The rain did not dampen the spirits of those who came. Well done to all who entered the competitions, and a list of winners is given at the end of this article. Some entrants obviously put in a heck of a lot of time and effort, which is appreciated by the committee.

Martin Nicholas deserves a special mention for putting together a wonderful, imaginative array of merchandise, which sold like hot cakes. This has to be the best we have ever seen. Angela managed to ‘persuade’ members to rejoin the Society and got new folks to do the same. Lee kept security tight and enforced the generally held belief that the threat is usually greater than its execution! It was a great team effort.

Sadly, it is necessary to note that one or two traders transgressed the rules by attempting to sell either reptiles or dangerous scorpions. This will not be tolerated. In the past the BTS has simply asked the offender to remove them from sale, but one or two individuals simply put them back on the table when an official has walked away. From now on, anyone found trying to sell these animals will be asked to leave with immediate effect. You know who you are and you have been warned for the last time.

To finish on a high note, with a quote from Michelangelo:
‘The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark’
Ray and Angela set their aim high, and (once again) hit the target. Roll on next May!

COMPETITION WINNERS
Best in show - Mary Walters and Trevor Jones (Avicularia Bicegoi)
Breeding Award - Steve Nunn
Artwork - Debra J Madennan
Best Brachypelma - Mary Walters and Trevor Jones (Brachypelma auratum)
New World Arboreal - Mary Walters and Trevor Jones - (Avicularia Bicegoi)
New World Terrestrial - Andy Matthews - (Megaphobema mesomelas)
Best Scorpion - Roberto Tommasini - (Heterometrus Longimanus)
Children's artwork - first place - Claire Reades
Children's artwork - second place - Emma Metcalfe
Children's artwork - third place - Brandon Pennell
Best Asian Arboreal - Mary Walters and Trevor Jones - (Cyriopagopus sp)
Best Asian Terrestrial - Jean Michel Verdez - (Lampropelma sp - Borneo)
Best African - Neil Richardson - (Stromatopelma calceatum)
Photography - Michael Jacobi
Best committee - Carl and Su Portman - (Acanthoscurria geniculata)
Second Committee - Mike Conabeer - (Nhandu carapoensis)