NATIONAL wins Blue Peter badge! Congratulations to the National team, Carol, Bryan and all the gang for a great day on Saturday.

Despite a disappointing entry in terms of cats, there seemed to be a good buzz about the place, with TV crews, cuddly Garfield, overseas visitors, plenty of public and most of the stands reporting good business.

To still have one big cat show in the capital does hold an appeal, there is something different about it,  even though it has the obvious drawbacks for travelling, parking etc. Imagine the horror on the Hogan face when I discovered I had to pay £24 for 10 hours parking at Olympia on Saturday....you can buy a car for that in Manchester!


That being said, the debate rages on regarding the same problems at the NEC and the Supreme where car parking and the attendant problems (no pun intended) seems to have hit a bad note with many of our readers...see letters page.

For me, the Supreme and the National are iconic shows; ever since the days of attending these events with the equally iconic Brian Doyle they have been the pinnacle of the show year and although I know there are shows with bigger entries and many of the club events I attend are brilliant, but we need to nurture these two key shows in our calendar.

Yes there are problems, but what are WE going to do about them?  Our Cats will do its bit to help promote, advertise, provide schedules for entries or whatever. After this weeks letters of complaint.....can we have some positive ideas for 2007.

Remember, as with all cat committees, these people are volunteers and do not get payment for what can be a years worth of work. We have made comparisons with the Kennel Club and Crufts (their key show of the year) but there is a full time, salaried team of people working on Crufts, 365 days a year.

Anyway, Brian will be pleased to note that I kept up another tradition in the cat fancy, and that was to have a pint of good old English ale in the Hand and Flower on Saturday night, even though it was served up by someone from Columbia.  Aah, how times have changed!

HIGHLAND FLING The last show of the year for OUR CATS is the West of Scotland, where Charlotte and Brian are heading North...see advert later in this edition.

This only goes to prove that Our Cats is seen North and South of the Watford Gap! So please go and see them on Saturday and pick up any last minute Christmas gifts etc.

The one thing I picked up on my trip to the beautiful South was a bad cold, so you might not get me in the office this week....but thanks to all of you who reminded me that I was down Sarf' this weekend.......don't worry, I'll be back!

Best wishes to all for a great Christmas and New Year, and thanks to YOU for all your personal support in 2006. Vince.