This year it was our 10^th annual Dinner Dance. This has proved to be a perfect way to wind down after the show and socialise with fellow exhibitors and friends.  

The theme this time was Lady in Red, and the ladies really went to town. Many of the outfits were extremely beautiful. Red was of course the dominant colour and proved very becoming. The overall impression was very glamorous. The men had gone for either, red ties and cummerbunds or for red shirts and dark ties.

Bob Semos as Chairman welcomed everyone with a special mention for our overseas visitors from America and from Norway, and for those attending for the first time.  He then introduced our Master of Ceremonies for the evening Dennis Hayward, who he thanked for all his previous work.

Dennis began by reminding us that the next day was Remembrance Sunday, and asked those of us present to stand for a moments silence in respect of the Servicemen and women facing danger abroad. He gave a brief prayer in honour of them and their loved ones.  Morwenna Semos then said grace. 

The meal was of a high standard and was interspersed with short fund raising games in aid of the Welfare and Rescue. There had been an exceptionally large number of re-homing cases to deal with over the past year, some including pregnant queens and small kittens. Our gratitude to the Welfare and Rescue helpers was expressed by Dennis and responded to by Angela Walker the  Co-Coordinator.

Dawn Brown won the prize for Heads and Tails. The Pass the Parcel proved very popular. The prizes for this had been donated and packed by Ron Mlynek, and helped to raise the laughter level in the hall. Sliding the coin was won by Tina Johnston, in a heated battle with Tracy Thompson. This game was definitely dominated by the ladies who were much better at aiming and sliding.  The Lucky Guest turned out to be one of our American visitors Dick Pucha, now along with his 10 Birman Cat Club Calendars he will be taking a special Norwegian one back with him to The States. Spot prizes were won by Tina Mason and Malcolm Brace.  Matt from SMA discos joins in the fun and runs the Pass the Parcel and the hotel donates the champagne prize.  

The Show managers Val Kilby and Heather Collings were given small thank you gifts as a token of the clubs appreciation.

There was a very short auction and a raffle. Along with the games these raised just over £402.00 which was handed over to the W and R.  

Of course not every thing goes as planned and there are always the last minute panics and changes.
One male guest realized on Saturday morning that he had left his outfit at home and had to rush into Bracknell during the judging for new clothes.  Another couple arrived after a long journey only to be called back home to deal with an emergency , half way back another call informed them that the emergency had been dealt  with and they could return to the show.  I only hope that after the hours they spent driving up and down the motorway the evening proved worthwhile.

We had our own mini panic late on Friday night. Moving things from the car a bag burst and a number of glass gifts and prizes shattered on the car park floor. Friends spirited me into town Saturday lunchtime for substitutes. So a very big thank you.  

Running the Dinner and Dance is always a joint effort, I could not cope without assistance from lots of the guests, those who organise the balloons, sell the raffle tickets, count the cash and provide most of the prizes. My main support and tower of strength is our Master of Ceremonies Dennis, and of course his other half.  

Unfortunately we missed one of my favourite parts of the weekend the Morning After Breakfast. I enjoy rehashing the evening over a leisurely meal, recalling the high-lights and the lows, but this year Peter had to be back home by 9.30am for Remembrance Sunday so we hit the road at 7.30. 

Thank you all who attended, I don’t know where we will be next year but I am sure we will have a wonderful time.