Three River Show 1979
By Mervyn Strange of Basingstoke AS
First printed in the Fish Forum, number 49 (1979)

Editor's notes.
The Three Rivers show was held at the Eldon Leisure Centre in Newcastle
Caer Urfa had just twinned with Wuppertal
Wuppertal Schwebebahn is the name of the overhead rapid transit system in Wuppertal.
The Tyne Metro was Tyneside's fledgling rapid transit system.
Urinal is a 'Netty' up here.
Colin Enright was Mr TTAA for most of the late 70' and the 80's.
Marge is Margret Enright, the power behind the throne.
Miss English referes to Jack English's ( Throckley AS) daughter.
Collette ?

This the exhibition organised by the Tyne Tees Area Association, was held at the Leisure Centre in Sunderland, I had been considering a visit and had promised Cohn that I would try to make this year. I had some concern that my old "cronk" would not make the journey, then Reg Peck the Boldon F.B.A.S. delegate said be would go, and the courageous fellow I am I agreed to go with him, what a risk for "Shields".
Well the show is on top of us so we didn't give them much warning. All went well, nearly to M1 (40 miles) when Irene decides she left electric gadget on, so we had a quick trip, false alarm, then on again, hell of a lot of traffic and several hold ups but not bad a journey, and we arrive, Frank Askew and family are putting up Irene and me, Reg is to be dealt with by Boldon A.S.
The exhibition was held in the centre which was a sight to be seen, so much going on, I've never seen anything like it in the "richer" south.
The displays were immediately attractive visually and well set out, In between talking to so many old friends, I was able to see that Dalkieth A.S. from Scotland had won 1st in the Display with a " Cassette Player". They also gained Best Fish with Brachyrhamdia imitator. Redcar gained 2nd with a "Year of the Child" display all colour with 7 dwarfs etc.
Caer Urfa came third with a duo of models the Tyne Metro and the overhead Wuppertal Schwebebahn, another club that has twinned (show-offs),
Killingworth gained 4th with a "Pond", South Shields had a "Space Base" with Colin Enright winning again with his Julidochromis marlerii (Dc). Blyth did a plane with a dodgey wingspan, Sunderland did a Punch and Judy. Novo was "rudey" with a urinal,Boldon did a coal mine, very good wasn't it Reg.
There were other displays by Middlesborough, Houghton, Throckley, B. C.A., F.G,A., Mount Pleasant and the Newcastle G.L.S., Catfish A.G.B. and F.B.A.S. stand with May, Bill and Joe Nethersell in attendence. God was there and so were many old friends, I had a great time "politition" and "cuddling" Chintzy and mind your own business. We had a great time, made new friends (Boldon boys) I split on Reg so he got out his red flag, we met Collette. Whoo!!
I guess I had the best time at the 'do' with Frank, his missus, Colin and Marg, Joe etc etc: danced with the beautiful Miss English and tested a few Newcastle Browns. There was only one thing wrong with the trip-the journey - the Editor says that's enough, the presses are rolling.
Mervyn Strange