2006 was a transitional year within the committee with many people changing roles, but with the invaluable help and guidance of their predecessors 'The show went on!'

Each committee member and several more volunteers contributed an extraordinary amount of unpaid time in the planning and execution of the show and each one deserves special thanks.

We were fortunate this year to welcome back Nick Wood Dow whose ability to secure much needed sponsorship is unequalled. Gartner, Nevin & Wright, Royal Holloway, Kingsley Print & Design, Runnymede Hotel and many others were once again called upon to help, not forgetting our largest sponsor Proctor and Gamble, whose generosity in many areas provided by Mr. Brian Perry enables the show to continue.

We always seek additional voluntary help, and this year we were lucky to attract a few more able bodies. Mike Enser for one, distributed a questionnaire enabling us to understand who comes to the show, and why. This will hopefully allow us to draw in more visitors in the future, in these days of ever increasing competition.

My thanks go to Andy Marlow not only for his work on the website, but for the work he does all day on the P.A. in the main arena, for which I am responsible. The acts this year seemed to be well received especially the ever popular falconry.

Paul Rayner & Dave Brown did an exceptional job in filling the shoes of the sadly missed Ken Semple. James Doran freed from the role of chairman was able to concentrate on enlarging the livestock section and put on an impressive display. Other equally important sections, vintage vehicles& traction engines were also well represented.

The horticulture, craft, and floristry sections showed some wonderful entries, but have the capacity to house even more, so I urge everyone to try their hand at something this coming year.

Many other sections also work very hard behind the scenes, such as ground staff, trade stands, health & safety, car park etc. all largely unseen, but soon  noticed had they not run as smoothly as they did. Special thanks must go to John Bonnett in the role of show manager who coordinates the various elements of the show and knits them together.

Runnymede Borough Council and the local residents continue to be supportive and cooperative in allowing the use of Caddeys field as we edge one year closer to 150th year.

The Egham Royal Show is a tradition worth keeping! We are surrounded by theme parks and fairs these days, but we strive to offer something a little different, keeping alive some of the traditional elements of the original shows combined with modern day family entertainment.

I welcome your comments, all ideas are carefully considered and any help very much appreciated, as indeed it has been this year. I look forward to a successful 149th show

Paul Turney

Chairman
January 2007