Contestants were signing up even before the official opening at noon. The sunshine crackled with anticipation and the contained tension that precedes a great sporting contest. Prettiest Bitch, Most Handsome, Best Trick… there was room for the dogs, too, with a new Agility Course run by Daniel Riley, which proved the most popular of all.

Five contests decided and everything proceeding with the military precision you have all come to expect from FOTC when the sky darkens, the temperature plummets and the wind turns flesh blue. It rains. The arena empties.

What might have spelt the end in fact called forth the spirit of the Blitz and, throwing English people into a huddle of a most unaccustomed intimacy under the gazebos, it enlivened conversation and caused the sale of sausage rolls to spike. No one left. We waited.

Before a single defeatist thought had been uttered, the judges (Craig and Vicky from Styal NT with Ian Baillie of FOTC), nothing daunted by the downpour, marched out and called the competitors to order. The announcement of Best Overall was greeted with rapturous applause in weak but growing sunshine and the party broke up with smiles all around.

Many thanks are due. Vicky and Craig of the National Trust, Styal, provided most of the equipment as well as judging with impeccable disinterestedness. Damian Riley set up and managed the Agility Course. The Vets’ Place provided the rosettes and certificates for the winners. The Animal Sanctuary brought Teabag along to delight the children. Barkers of Wilmslow provided the prize goody bags. But the biggest thanks must go to John Booth, who not only organised the show, but set it up, begged and bought material, not to mention cooking and heating up the sausage rolls. The inestimable ladies of FOTC made the cakes.

Winners: Best Overall – Arthur the Airedale terrier, owned by Olivia Fitton. Cutest Puppy – Phoebe the dachshund. Golden Oldie – Skye. Waggiest Tail – Charlie. Most Handsome – Eric the Manchester terrier. Prettiest Bitch – Coco. Best Rescue – a Bedlington terrier.