I was picked up by [log in to see names] & my co-judge [log in to see names] at 7am Sunday morning to drive to Swinford, which is to the South of the City of Leicester. This was to be my first judging engagement since 2003 when I judged at Preston M.C. with Doreen Cooper, a former president of the N. M.C.
Its a nice little hall which will be even better when the re-decoration is completed. The lighting for judging was good.
[log in to see names] was busy at the Show Sec’s table + [log in to see names] + his band of elpers including his son [log in to see names] and daughter [log in to see names], were in the kitchen.
Special thanks to these fanciers as they had come all the way from Portsmouth (about 130 miles) to run the event. They did a lovely lunch too.
A highlight for me was greeting [log in to see names] ([log in to see names]‘s older brother), an “old mucker” of mine when we all used to travel from London to Yorkshire shows. He’s retired now and breeding mice again.
I had just over 80 mice in my 2 sections. I admit I was a little slow but I was teaching my steward [log in to see names], an aspiring judge, the faults and good points of some of the exhibits.
Abso [log in to see names] had phoned me to ask if it was O.K. for newcomer [log in to see names] to sit in & watch. Another long travellor was [log in to see names] from Wickfard, Essex who took loads of photos.
The best varieties I judged were the Golden Agouti & Cinnamons, the Self Blacks + the P. E. Whites. There were also some promising Blues + Lilacs. I was not overly impressed by the “new” Pearls. After completion of judging, [log in to see names] of Pontefract, South Yorkshire, told me he is trying to re-establish the chinchilla variety. Again, a long way to go, mate!
Congratulations to [log in to see names] for BIS and [log in to see names] BOA with a baby Self Black which she told me afterwards was BIS @ the LSCMRC table show, a week before.
A highlight for me going home was a Video in the Tesla showing Graham Fellows, the actor/comedian from Sheffield many of my dearly departed friends at Airedale MC in the good old days, which I miss a hell of a lot.

Another great day judging!
Thankyou so much to [log in to see names] and [log in to see names] for running an amazing show, [log in to see names] for being a top class steward and my co judge [log in to see names]!
A mixed bunch of mice but the best glistened against the rest. The majority of brokens were edging towards “pied”.
Lovely condition but not to NMC standard so please have a read up and be firmer in your selections.