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When we print the details of a forthcoming show, part of the formula is some such wording as: “Doors open to the general public at 2pm.” It’s a telling phrase. Sometimes I picture that “general public” almost busting down the doors in their eagerness to get in, and then, when the magic hour arrives, hundreds of folk flooding the show hall in a frenzy of wonder at the magnificent stock on display. On the other hand, before 2pm the general public have had the doors shut against them, while the important business has been carried out in private. There’s a hint (OK, I know this isn’t wholly fair) that these outsiders are not really wanted and are finally admitted only with reluctance. This week on page 12, a member of that “general public” reports on his first show visit for decades. Mr Henderson’s gist is that the birds were great, but there was nothing to explain to outsiders what was going on, and nobody to talk to about birdkeeping or exhibiting. The public was ignored. You can see where I’m going with this – but I am not, repeat NOT having a pop at show organisers, most of whom do a fantastic job with little help. How can they operate an information stall for the public’s benefit when there are too few hands to carry out the basic show tasks? Well, as our contributor Fred Wright has pointed out to me, there’s always the option of an unmanned table with leaflets, background info displays and club contact numbers. But in any case, as the main show season looms, let’s never forget that the “general public” consists of prime candidates for recruitment to the hobby. We should treat them like gold dust. Let’s hope that Mr Henderson does return to the fancy, drawn, if not by the welcome, then at least by the birds. Have a good week!