After a good stint in our positions, both [log in to see names] and I have decided to step down after this NMC year, so there will be two Officer vacancies to be filled at the next ballot in October 2022.

The Rules state that Judges and Executive members must have three years’ membership to hold these positions, but for the more senior officers there is no requirement, so if you feel you would really like to take on one of the roles but have less than three years under your belt, don’t be put off.

The main duties of both posts are laid out on Page 6. It may look a lot on paper, but the office is what you make it: some people float through the duties, others make a meal of it. Most of us lie somewhere in between.

The Unstandardised class has changed considerably since I joined the fancy in 1982. At that time, most of the exhibits in the class were by-products of an established variety, for example Chocolate Chinchillla, Stone Cream, and it was clear where they originated. The type, size and condition would be appropriate for the standardised variety.

Over the years, we have seen less of these mice and more of new varieties such as Splashed (now standardised), Texel, Abyssinian, Hairless. These mice have no standardised equivalent for comparison (so it is difficult for the judge to rate them on anything other than condition, exhibitors take note!). The breeders (presumably) know what they are but the judge probably has no idea, not having seen the variety before.

When showing in the unstandardised class it has always been expected that the exhibitor will write the name of the variety on the Maxey label to assist the judge. Lately that seems to have slipped, probably because exhibitors aren’t aware that they should do it. It is one of those unwritten rules which illustrate how important it is for new fanciers to take part in the show fully and learn the ropes.

Take heed, fanciers – watch the judging, steward, listen to the conversations round the judging table. Every little helps, to quote Tesco.