SIR,
It is with regret that I have decided not to have a stand at this year's Monmouth Show.
The reason for this is down to the fact that having attended the show for the past six years, I have been misinformed by the organisers each year as to how many other cider makers will be in attendance.
Each year, when I have enquired to the number of other cidermakers, upon attending I have found the number has increased.
As someone who has strong links with Monmouth, I have always been popular at the show with the public and now have a number of regular customers who purchase their cider from me through the year.
I'm sure the present organisers I have dealt with this year are trying their very best to keep up the high standards of the show, but I have no faith in turning up again for another year to find yet again more cidermakers than promised.
Good luck to the other cidermakers who I know most feel the same, in the fact that there has been far too many of us.
I'm sure they will all benefit in their sales by me not attending.
Mark Catlin
(Lyne Down Cider and Perry,
Much Marcle, Herefordshire)