Stagefright is a worry for show

Apr 29 2008 by Liz Shankland, Western Mail

The clock is ticking as our smallholder columnist prepares to venture into the showring for the first time

“YOU? Nervous? Come off it!” my friend said. “How can someone who has worked in live TV and radio be nervous about walking around a showring for a few minutes?”

Well, here’s the news: I am. Okay, so much of my career in journalism has been spent at the sharp end, as a reporter or a producer/director involved in live broadcasts; and yes, it’s an exciting and sometimes scary way to earn a living, knowing that you’re broadcasting to the nation and that anything can go wrong at any time.

That said, nothing I’ve experienced in the past two decades – not even when I was reading the news and I broadcast 15 seconds of complete silence when I forgot to open the mike for the sports reporter to do his bit – compares with the feelings of panic I’m having right now.

As you read this, I’m just 18 days away from putting myself on show in front of a very special audience – at the Royal Welsh Smallholder Show on the weekend of May 17 and 18. For the first time – and maybe the last, if it all goes horribly wrong – I’m going to be showing my Tamworth pigs. Now given that neither the pigs nor I have been in a showring before, what would you say my chances were? To say “slim” would be an understatement.

I’ve bought my crisp white exhibitor’s coat, got my pig boards and stick, and I’ve worked out what shoes I need to wear to ensure that I don’t fall flat on my face. What I haven’t mastered quite yet is the little matter of walking the pigs in a circle – pretty crucial to the event. At least I’ll look the part.

Husband Gerry, who’ll be taking charge of one of the gilts, is fairly laid back about the whole thing. As with most things, he’s taking it all in his stride, and assures me it’ll be fine.

To try and increase our chances of success, we both took part in a pig workshop on Sunday, organised by the Tamworth Breeders Club. The event was held at the Midlands home of champion Tamworth breeder Bill Howes, who has an entire wall covered in rosettes from shows across the UK – proof indeed that he is one of the most respected pig men in the business.

Like most piggy people, Bill and wife Shirley are more than happy to share their knowledge and experience with others. Sunday’s workshop was the second they have hosted at their three-acre holding, tucked discreetly away behind a neat little bungalow in a quite suburb of Kenilworth. TBC members paid a miniscule £5 for the day, which went to club funds. It was the kind of event for which someone with a commercial brain could have charged several hundred pounds.

A huge amount of really useful information was packed into the day, from how to spot a potentially prize-winning piglet to tattooing its ears with pedigree registration details. We even had a go at test-driving an experienced sow, to get a feel of what walking round a showring should be like.

One of the nicest thing about the affable Bill and Shirley is that you feel you can ask them anything, however basic, and not be laughed at. They recognise that everyone has to start somewhere – and that things which are blindingly obvious once you’ve experienced your first show can be completely baffling beforehand.

I know that once I’ve got one show under my belt – regardless of the result – I’ll wonder why I ever worried so much. In the meantime, I’m committed to practising with my pigs every day, getting both them and Gerry and myself a little more prepared. The fruits of our labours will unveiled in three Saturdays’ time. Wish us luck!

You can write to LIZ SHANKLAND c/o Western Mail, Blue Street, Carmarthen SA31 3LQ. Please enclose an SAE for a reply. Or email downtoearthliz@hotmail.co.uk