It was perhaps appropriate that my last meeting as chairman of the WBO was in the United States as without the drive and persuasion of the American fanciers at the 1985 and 1990 conventions it is unlikely that the B.S. would have taken the unprecedented step of calling the two International Meetings in 1992 and 1993 that resulted in the formation of the WBO in 1994.
From the onset I was always conscious of the fact that the WBO was in danger of becoming a little Europe Society. It is true that the largest shows tend to take place in Germany and the U.K. and that these are a great attraction for fanciers from around the World, but a World Organisation must be true to its name and cannot be governed by large shows alone.
I was therefore pleased when the WBO received and accepted the invitation from the BAA, although a little fearful of the flight it would entail, as it gave the organisation a chance to demonstrate that it had serious intentions on becoming a truly international player. For that reason the WBO and I will always be indebted to the BAA and its Board of Directors.
Although the meeting was not as well attended, as we have liked it was nevertheless quite successful as it laid the foundation for another attempt at producing a World Ideal and hopefully went a little way towards healing the rifts that had appeared in recent years.
Much of the turmoil that the WBO has recently experienced has its roots in the organisations desire to produce a World Ideal. This task was always going to be difficult; with so many different views prevailing throughout the World and it was folly for any member to think that the first attempt would be accepted without question. Hopefully the problems of the last few years are now behind us and we can start to build on the new beginning initiated in Las Vegas. Even so I believe there will be considerably further debate before a conclusion is reached. The whole idea of the WBO was to form an organisation which gave both large and small an equal chance to express themselves but unanimity will rarely be achieved when twenty or more countries sit round a table. It is therefore important that from time to time we agree to disagree not walk away and abandon the cause. Hopefully the meeting in America will have strengthened the resolve of all members and the organisation will go from strength to strength.
Finally I must say how much Janet and I enjoyed our trip to the USA. Without your invitation we would almost certainly never have visited your wonderful country. I think I speak for all members of the WBO who visited you in October 2005 when I say how special you all made our visit. Joe Sabella said, “treat your visit as a holiday of a lifetime” and most of us did, but it was also embellished by the hospitality and generosity of your members before, during and after the show. As for the show, it was great, but I have already let Joe Lastella have my report and thoughts on that event.
It now only leaves me to thank you once again for everything especially Dewayne Weldon for the plaque he gave me as I was leaving that now hangs on my office wall.