REPORT ON THE RYEDALE A.S. AND STAMPS PICKERING
TWINNING DAY 27/09/09
Text and photographs by David Marshall
The majestic Whistler Room at Pickering Memorial Hall played
host to the second 2009 Ryedale and STAMPS Twinning Day.
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Some of the STAMPS members enjoying
TD
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The well-known face of Y.A.A.S. 'A'
Class Judge
Mr. Trevor Douglas
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Special guest for TD was Mr. Brian Walsh of the Catfish Study
Group. For the first of two excellent presentations Brian had
put together an amazing illustrated talk on the structure and
evolution of catfish mouths. The photographs of the dentition
of Panaque species, which have replaceable teeth cartridges,
had the audience amazed. For his second presentation Brian focussed
on how he produces a range of fantastic wooden sculptures of
fish. The audience were able to see, and touch, carvings in
various stages of production. Seeing such exquisite work at
close quarters brings home the high level of skill and technique
Brian uses in order to create his sculptures.
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Brian showing his carving tools to
members of the audience
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Mr. Frank Tolomeo models one of Brian's
carvings
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At TD the level of co-operation between our two groups is always
evident. Today this was best seen through the table show as
Tyne Tees Area Association FBAS Trainee Judge Mr. Darren Lamb
took his first opportunity to judge to a different set of rules
and standards swapping those of the FBAS for those of the Y.A.A.S.
I know from experience how strange this can be but Darren coped
very well. The people present played their part by bringing
along a variety of fish species, 40 in total, spread over the
9 classes.
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Darren judging
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The 'fish craft' section was won by
Sue Marshall's Galaxy Rasbora (centre).
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Instead of an auction we plumped for a sales table. Mr. Malcolm
Short looked after this side of the day and we had some excellent
fish for sale that included Xenotoca variatus, Convict cichlids,
Black throat Giradinus and Sajica cichlids.
Miss Sue Marshall's TD quiz centred on Christian names with
questions about fish, sport, television, famous people (both
real and fictional) and the natural world. The people taking
part had great fun.
As usual all present brought along a varied selection of food
for a splendid 'pot luck lunch'.
The Aquarium Gazette information stand was also present.
But at the end of the day TD is about friendship and this abounded.
A big THANK YOU to Brian, all our helpers, the members of Ryedale
and STAMPS and to our friends present who all combined to make
another memorable day.
Finally 2010 will be a very special year for Ryedale A.S.,
as it will mark our 25th Anniversary. We have already been hard
at work and arranged the following events:
Sunday 25th April - Open Show. To be held at Old Malton Memorial
Hall, Malton, North Yorkshire.
Sunday 11th July - 25th Anniversary Day. Venue as above. Talk
by Dr. David Ford, Mini-Open Show and auction.
Sunday 15th August - Twinning Day with STAMPS. Pickering Memorial
Hall, North Yorkshire.
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