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The Gower Society at the Gower Show.

The 2011 Gower show was held on August 7th at what we consider to be the proper place – the grounds of Penrice Castle. Everyone is grateful to Thomas and Judith Methuen-Campbell for that. Not unusually it rained on the Day. Fortunately it was dry on Saturday when everyone was setting out their stalls. Thanks to some young volunteers setting up was easier this year.

We had some of the usual attractions. Sales and the GSYA (our youth group) were there as usual. We were sorry to be without Margaret Gillett our membership secretary. After many years recruiting at the show she decided she could no longer cope with the rough ground. Liz Roblin set up a rather different membership stall. She was giving away sweets under a parasol – inside the marquee! Imaginative or pessimistic? Whichever it was 60 people joined.

We had some other new attractions. The GSYA were in their usual corner with playdough and colouring but there was also a butterfly hunt. Eight pictures of butterflies were hidden around the marquee for the children to find. We had a feely box with mysterious objects to identify. No crabs or huge spiders despite the rumours. Seaweed feels disgusting. Another new attraction was a display of information about the Lordship of Gower. Many people commented that they didn't know much about it.

Something new on the sales table was our collection of greeting cards. In the 1950s a committee member, Edward Martin, and Iris Martin produced some woodcuts for the Journal. We are very grateful to their family who have allowed us to use 13 of these black and white pictures. With the help of a local photographer we have produced 13 blank cards suitable for any occasion. Another new item was our DVD, Walking With Flowers, an account of the flowers of Gower.

Enquiries about the Local Development Plan and the nominated sites showed that the system was poorly understood. Hopefully the enquirers left with a better understanding of the process.

We think the weather may have put some people off coming to the show. Whether it did or not people packed into our tent when the showers came.

The children's activities were as popular as ever. We ran out of playdough and colouring sheets before the show closed.

We had a successful day. We even won the prize for the best non trade stand.