The eighth Birman Dinner held on 3rd November, was an unqualified success with 60 Birman lovers intent on letting their hair down and having a good night out.

The theme for the evening was ‘A Masked Ball', and a glittering glamorous gathering took over the hotel bar and lounge before moving into the dining room.

Masks varied from the horrific, through the strictly masculine and into the truly feminine sparkling and feather trimmed masterpieces.  Cats of all sorts dominated the mask scene, black ones, white ones and multi coloured ones. There was even a Birman mask looking remarkably like one of our favourite show stars

This year we were privileged to have David and Rita Redtfeldt as our guests of honour. Other overseas guests included  Linda Ashurst from Norway and Alina and Riene Trieke from Germany.

By popular request members indulged in one or two games between courses.

After prizes were distributed and the meal completed David, one of our all time favourite judges gave a very interesting and informative talk on the difference between judging in America and judging in the United Kingdom.

Gifts of flowers were given to show Manager Val Kilby and  the Assistant Show Manager  Heather Collings, and to Anne Madden for arranging the Dinner.

There was a short Auction and Raffle in aid of the Birman Rescue and Welfare.

Most guests spent the rest of the evening on the floor, dancing to an excellent local Disco. SNA Discos, with Matt in charge of the music. Morwenna Semos,  back on form after a hip replacement showed just why she won all those gold medals for dancing, and some of our mature couples proved that Jiving was like cycling once learnt never forgotten.

After midnight an exhausted group reformed in the lounge and bar to relax and have a quiet night cap. The evening finished with an impromptu sing along with an undiscovered Pavarotti and a member of the Sheffield Mafia leading the choir.  

Next year it will be the Silver Anniversary of the Show.  Thinking caps on please, as we want something extra special for that evening

Anne Madden