This show returned, after missing last year because of Foot and Mouth problems, to a new venue in Chertsey, a picturesque spot on the River Thames.

We were there with no less than five boats and eleven members manning the stand at various times. It ran from the Thursday - which turned out to be a bit quiet - right through until Sunday, when I think most of our voices had started to give out. The numbers attending built up throughout and we were generally pleased with the response we got. Two new members joined and considerable numbers of our leaflets and Bulletins were snapped up. All of which bodes well for future membership figures and attendance at rallies, I think.

The Boats were provided by Len Wingfield with his Leader 14, Bill Serjeant with his unique double ender, Keith Holdsworth with another unique 11 footer, Aidan de la Mare's Jady Lane and Brian Sanderson with his 11 foot Post Boat.

Aidan, Bill, Keith and Peter Baxter stayed for the whole four days – sterling work that - whilst the rest of us did one or two days. These included Dave Morl plus his wife, Dan Moriarty, Werner Cook, John Perry and Jo Street, Roger Barnes and myself.

I wondered why they had all worked so hard and I think Dave Morl summed it up when he said, "I've had so much out of the DCA and made so many really good friends, that I like to put something back into it". My personal thanks go to him for that thought and to all those who made it happen.