Volunteer at the show!

We need volunteers to help in a variety of ways to:

Set up the show 7 am – 11 am & De-rig from 4 pm: Physical work involving setting up gazebos, flags and signs as well as moving boxes, tables and chairs. This may include lifting and carrying heavy items. For health and safety reasons, NO dogs are allowed on the cricket pitch during setup from 7 am – 10.30 am and from 4.15 pm onwards.

Help on the Dog Show Bar (8.30 am to 6 pm): Volunteers over 25 may help with setting up the bar, serving alcoholic or soft drinks, keeping the bar stocked up or clearing up after the show. You will be working in very close proximity to others in a tight space. In what can feel a pressured environment you will feel comfortable and confident taking orders, contactless payments or handling cash, and will be involved in lifting/carrying drinks when stocking up. Shifts may vary according to the work needed at the time and may run over if the bar is busy.

Work on the Class Registration desk (9 am – 4.30 pm): Check in dogs and owners, set up or de-rig the registration desk. You will be working in close proximity to other volunteers. Shifts between 10.30am and 1 pm can be particularly busy. You may be completing forms on behalf of the owners and maybe taking payments and handling cash.

Work as a Show Steward 10 am to 5 pm: Assisting visitors both human and canine, and providing water for dogs.

Run a Competition Ring as a Ring Marshal: You will be the key person in the competition ring and ensure your classes and judges run to time. You will work in a team of up to four people assisted by Sheepdogs (previously Ring Stewards (15 to 18 years) and runners (9 to 14 years). This role is about coordinating your team and the judges. You will ideally have experience of similar work and will need to be organised, confident, unflappable, and able to multitask on view and under pressure. You will manage from two to four classes, at up to one hour per class, over the day. Training will be given.

Work in the Competition Ring as a Ring Steward: (15-18 years, also known as Sheepdogs) 10.30 am to 4.15 pm assist with the show classes. The Ring Stewards role is to organise the movement of the competitors from their arrival at the ring until after the last class has finished you will operate the gates to the Ring and coordinate the competitors in, around, and out of the Ring at the Ring Marshal’s instructions. Ideally you will have had previous similar experience and will be able to learn the role quickly on the day. You will need to feel confident and able to instruct the competitors in a calm and friendly manner.

Work as a Sheepdog age 9 to 14 (previously known as Runner) 10.30 am to 4.15 pm. Assisting with the show classes you will be part of the team who organise the competitors in and around the ring ready for the judging. You will be confident to go into the ring to help without a parent and to work with people who you may not have met before. As a volunteer under 14 you must have a responsible adult present at the show for both your briefing and your volunteering.

All volunteers should be aware that dogs are unable to volunteer at the Show. Please ask someone to look after your dog while you volunteer.

• Child volunteers under 14 should have a responsible adult present.
• For Health and Safety reasons, NO dogs are allowed on the Cricket Pitch during set-up from 7 – 10.30 am, and break-down from 4.15pm onwards. This includes volunteers’ dogs.
• Dogs are welcome on the Cricket Pitch during the Show but must be kept on a short lead.