ews on the FORUM

Hi,
This message is mostly for any naughty members who are not checking the forum and website regularly:

1.  Interclub
   The first interclub of the season is on 18th October at Little Melton.  The format will be the same as normal, booking in at 8.30 and judging at 9.00.
2. Training Day

Carl has arranged  a training weekend with David Munnings over the weekend of 22nd and the 23rd of November at Weston Longville.  For any of you who don’t know, David Munnings is an absolutely top class handler who has competed at Crufts, Olympia, European championships and just about every other major event.  Don’t be intimidated though, the sessions will cater for all levels and we will group the classes into appropriate standards.  There will be 8 dogs in the morning and 8 in the afternoon on both days, so 32 dogs in total.  There is a poster up on the notice board at club so please enter your name and details on the list for when you would like to attend.  As usual, places will be allocated on a first come first served basis and if spaces are not filled by club members we will be inviting people from outside the club, so it’s important that you get your names on the list ASAP.  The cost will be around £20-£25 pounds, details about times etc. will be posted nearer the date.
Cheers,
Jan  J

Jayne Spriggs

It is with great sadness that I have to report that on 23rd June 2009 Jayne Spriggs suddenly and very unexpectedly succumbed to cancer which had only recently been diagnosed.  Her death came as a terrible shock to everyone who knew her and has left an awful void.

As a trainer and club member, Jayne always had infinite patience, an endless supply of advice and suggestions, and constant encouragement and support for those of us who could only dream of equalling her handling skills.  She was always there if we needed a shoulder to cry on and always the first to congratulate any achievements, sharing the good times and the bad in equal measure.  Jayne was a truly unique and very special person to everyone who knew her and we will all miss her terribly now that she has joined her beloved and recently departed Jody at the Rainbow Bridge.

Our thoughts particularly go out to Martin and the rest of the family, and we can only hope that in some small way we are able to support them in the same way that Jayne supported all of us over the years.

The funeral service and cremation will take place at St Faith's Crematorium, Horsham St Faiths, Norwich on Monday, July 6th at 10.15 a.m. No flowers please, but donations welcomed for 'The Dogs Trust' may be sent c/o the Co-operative Funeral Service, 321c Aylsham Road, Norwich, NR3 2AB.

Coltishall Weekend Beach Party

Waxham Sands 4th/5th July The first club BBQ for over 10 years. Sue Suggested Waxham Sands after the campsite we had in mind was full. Its quite the old fashioned holiday park, backing onto the dunes.
Saturday morning we planned the walk, which was delayed several times whilst we awaited peoples arrival (Jon & Emma). Eventually setting of at 11:45 am we headed along the dunes until we found beach clear of half clad humans, just past Horsey Gap. The dogs were beside themselves all going into the sea after tennis balls. Sue Y eventually took the plunge quickly followed by Emma, Denise & Nigel. Kevin needed a little gentle encouragement, and Shelley a little more still (the funniest thing all weekend watching Shelley going under and trying to keep her fag dry).
Kiki Sue S & Jon watched from the sidelines (Jon keeping firmly hold of his camera!).It was decided Missey & Jinx should give swimming a go, but neither were very enthusiastic, although neither sunk! Bilbo showed off his swimming style, both in & out of the water. To try and dry off before moving on to the pub Denise thought a brisk walk further along the beach would help, but we were repelled by 'man in a thong' not the best look in the world.
Kiki Supplied a map giving directions to the pub and a rather bedraggled group set of to horsey in search of it. The dogs all settled in the beer garden and the bar lady was braved ( a little fierce) to obtain drinks and lunch. A long road walk back to the campsite followed except for Jinx who found the tarmac too hot and obtained a lift with Ned. Kevin and Nige went shopping for BBQ supplies (or prehaps it was to pose in the TVR?), and did a great job, and the cooking started at 7pm. Shelley managed to set off the smoke alarm in my caravan whilst cooking the chicken, but other than that the cooking was well managed by Nigel & Jon. The evening drifted along nicely, Denise (AKA Monica) kept things in order, and strange things were seen flying in the night sky - Emma is going to prove what they were at DIN!l
A great weekend - Fantastic weather - Good company - What more could we ask for? Great idea Nigel - thanks for booking it Sue. Who's up for it again in September?

Coltishall Agility Club

Summary of Annual General Meeting held at Weston Longville Village Hall on 18th May 2009

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE

All existing members stood for re-election so your committee is still: President - David Lake, Vice–President - Martin Campbell, Chairman - Shelley Christmas, Treasurer - Andrew Gibson, Secretary - Janet Dilloway, Other Officers – Denise Wilkinson, Sue Yallop, Suzanne Taylor, Carl Lumley, Jayne Spriggs. 

PROPOSED CHANGE TO CLUB TRAINING RULES

It was agreed to change rule 6 of the training rules from:- “Dogs under 12 months of age will only be able to participate in specific puppy classes”.

To:-No dogs under 9 months of age will be accepted for training. Dogs aged 9-12 months will only be allowed in specific puppy classes with limited equipment dependent upon their capability.”

In addition, Helen and Claire will set up some guidance notes on puppy training to be added to the website so that new beginners can start training their puppies appropriately prior to attending club.

OTHER ACTIONS AGREED

Dog of the Month on the website is to be changed to Dog of the Season, to be voted upon four times annually. Members will still be asked to nominate anybody for special achievements (not just the number of points gained), followed by a vote on the nominations, all via the Forum. Janet will send a group email towards the end of each season to remind members to get on the Forum to make nominations and then vote.

Leaderboard Updates will now be carried out online. There is a form on the website which members should submit as they gain points. Nigel and Shelley will perform the updates so that the leaderboard on the website should reflect the latest situation. It is up to members to ensure their points are submitted and updated correctly.

Coltishall Ring Parties: Members were reminded that the Club provides a full ring party at the following shows:- Norfolk Easter, Dogs in Need (Saturday), Five Rivers, and of course our own July and October shows. After a slight fiasco with our ring parties this Easter, it was agreed that we need a more formalised system. Denise offered to sort out lists for ring parties before each of those shows and a group email will be sent around 6 weeks before each show to remind members that we need to help.

Surface at training venue: Shelley will write a letter to the owners requesting more regular rolling outside of our training times, and also repair to the gate which we are required to close after training.

Training Days: Carl is arranging a training weekend at Weston Longville with David Munnings for 31st October/1st November (still awaiting confirmation). There will be 4 sessions, maximum of 8 dogs in each and cost will be around £20 to members and the club will pay the rest. This will be open to all grades of dog and different standards will be grouped appropriately.

Carl again offered to arrange for outside trainers to visit us if members give him details of the trainers they require.

Club Barbeque and Camping Weekend: The club is re-introducing a non-agility social event (dogs invited!). This will be a camping weekend at Manor Farm, Cromer on 4th/5th July with a barbeque on the Saturday evening and beach walk Sunday morning, plus any other fun and games anybody would like to suggest (!). 

Coltishall Agility Club

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Weston Longville Village Hall on 18th May 2009

Meeting opened 7.40 p.m.

APOLOGIES

Apologies received from Suzanne Taylor, Martin Campbell, John & Chris Haynes, Jane Smith, Andrew Goodchild, Angie Edwards and some family members. 20 members were present.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Were read and, after amendment of a typo error and a missing apology, were agreed to be a true record. Proposed: Shelley Christmas, Seconded: Denise Wilkinson

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

The club has had another successful year with very little changed. We have retained our Kennel Club registration with no problems. Both July and October shows went well, in spite of the weather in October. The club performed well in the Interclub league until we all had to miss the penultimate leg due to a kennel cough outbreak so we were unable to retain the trophy this year.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Accounts up to year-end 31st December 2008 were presented to the meeting and Nik Knight was thanked for performing the auditing. Show income was slightly down this year, as our Interclub fell after 31st December, and we had extra expenses for creation of the new website plus £1,100 of new equipment. We still ran at a surplus of £1,500 and have £9,000 in the bank so there will again be no need to increase membership or training fees.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Very little has changed during the year. We only had 2 new members because the new beginner’s class this year was filled with existing members with new dogs. A form will be issued to these members so the new dogs can be added to club records. Membership currently stands at 36 full members and 14 family members, with around 45 dogs in training.

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE

No new committee members were standing and all existing committee members stood for re-election en bloc. Proposed: Sue Yallop, Seconded: Emma Nicholson. This was approved unanimously so the committee is once again: President - David Lake, Vice–President - Martin Campbell, Chairman - Shelley Christmas, Treasurer - Andrew Gibson, Secretary - Janet Dilloway, Other Officers – Denise Wilkinson, Sue Yallop, Suzanne Taylor, Carl Lumley, Jayne Spriggs. 

PROPOSED CHANGE TO CLUB TRAINING RULES

Proposed change from:- “Dogs under 12 months of age will only be able to participate in specific puppy classes”.

To:- “No dogs under 10 months of age will be accepted for training. Dogs under 12 months of age will only be able to participate in specific puppy classes”(Amendment underlined)

Proposed: Carl Lumley, Seconded: Helen Anderson

After a lengthy discussion, the wording of the proposal was amended to:

“No dogs under 9 months of age will be accepted for training. Dogs aged 9-12 months will only be allowed in specific puppy classes with limited equipment dependent upon their capability.”

Proposed: Sian Carrell, Seconded: John Carrell. 

This amendment was voted upon and agreed unanimously. It was also agreed that Helen and Claire would set up some guidance notes on puppy training to be added to website so that new beginners could start training their puppies appropriately prior to attending club.

DISCUSSION TOPICS

Club Website and Forum are now up and running successfully. It was agreed that having a Dog of the Month on the website was a bit too frequent so this is to be changed to Dog of the Season four times annually. Members will still be asked to nominate anybody for special achievements (not just the number of points gained), followed by a vote on the nominations via the Forum. Janet will send a group email towards the end of each season to remind members to get on the Forum to make nominations and then vote.

Leaderboard Updates will now be carried out online. There is a form on the website which members should complete as they gain points. This is emailed to Nigel and Shelley who will perform the updates so that the leaderboard on the website should reflect the latest situation. It is up to members to ensure their points are submitted and updated correctly.

Coltishall Ring Parties: Members were reminded that the Club provides a full ring party at the following shows:- Norfolk Easter, Dogs in Need (Saturday), Five Rivers, and of course our own July and October shows. After a slight fiasco with our ring parties this Easter, it was agreed that we need a more formalised system. Denise offered to sort out lists for ring party working before the shows and a group email will be sent around 6 weeks before each show to remind members.

Surface at training venue: This is frequently not rolled before our lessons and when it is done it is often not completed before our agreed start time, thus delaying the start of training. The proprietors have talked of replacing the surface but we have been given no indication of time scale for this. Shelley will write a letter to the owners requesting more regular rolling outside of our training times, and also repair to the gate which we are required to close after training.

Training Days: Carl is arranging a training weekend at Weston Longville with David Munnings for 31st October/1st November (still awaiting confirmation). There will be 4 sessions, maximum of 8 dogs in each and cost will be around £20 to members and the club will pay the rest. This will be open to all grades of dog and different standards will be grouped appropriately.

Carl again offered to arrange for outside trainers to visit us if members give him details of the trainers they require.

Club Barbeque and Camping Weekend: Shelley and Nigel proposed to re-introduce a non-agility social event (dogs invited!). The suggestion was for a camping weekend at Manor Farm, Cromer on 4th/5th July with a barbeque on the Saturday evening and beach walk Sunday morning. All agreed this is a good idea so they will go ahead with a provisional block booking.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Jayne Spriggs expressed her thanks for all the cards and good wishes during her illness. David Lake proposed a vote of thanks to all members of the committee, but more particularly wanted to congratulate the whole club for not only competing so successfully but also for being a successful as a club with a friendly atmosphere and no ill-feeling.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.

Signed Chairman:……………………………………………………………

New class times from Jan 14
7.30pm SHELLEY & AMANDA
Baby dogs! Denise Claire Caz Sue S Suzanne Nik Sue Street Terry (when ready!)

7.30pm CARL & EMMA
Adam & Willow Janet & Tinker John & Max Sue & Missy Jackie & Biddy Sue E & Quiz Terry & Mavis Andrew & Foxley

8.30pm HELEN & JAN
Sue & Skye Claire & Maisie Shelley & Jinx Janice & Tootsie Angie & Billie Rachel & Storm

8.30pm DENISE & SUE
Carl & Tinny Sally & William Chris & Dexy Jane & Bindi Emma & Kizzy Amanda & Kye Nik & Tess

9.30pm CAZ
Martin & Daisy Andrew & JT Michael & Bailey Jane & Amber John & Heidi Sian & Megan

9.30pm No Trainer
Shelley & Rossi Sally & Bex Carl & Asha Helen & Demon Jayne & Jexie Denise & Tia Paul & Sveta Claire & Rio

Olympia 2008 Wow – what a day!  It has always been my dream to compete at Olympia – don’t get me wrong I don’t ever expect to win it, but everyone I have ever spoken to who has competed there has loved it. Twice in the past I have got as far as the semis at Stoneleigh, but never progressed any further. This year I was called as a reserve to Stoneleigh, and Rossi didn’t let me down – we won the semi and concreted our place at Olympia’s Horse Of the Year Show on Nigels birthday 20th December (how pleased was he?!). I don’t often get nervous running my dogs – whatever happens, I always try and find something good in it! But this was different, the people I were competing against were all well known as top handlers within this strange agility world, and I had a dog that didn’t much like horses, confined spaces or built up areas – thanks to Jayne for letting me borrow her cage in case I had to lock the devil away! Arriving at the car park Rossi looked somewhat bemused as to why we were surrounded by concrete and busy roads – she had seen the running shoes loaded in the bag, but made up for this by scavenging a discarded kebab off the pavement! Some 25 minutes later we arrived at Olympia and decided to follow some seasoned competitors in, who obviously knew their way in blindfolded! Once inside we were tagged and found our way the the backstage area, Rossi started to relax as more dogs arrived – perhaps there would be agility? I have to say the competitors were far more chatty and relaxed than they had been at Stoneleigh – everyone was going to give it their best shot – I just needed 35 of them to have a really bad day!
	As the crowd pleasing event at Olympia you are made fully aware that horses take precedence, and informed in no uncertain terms that our time is limited.The first semi final in the morning is slightly less pressured time wise – we had a full 10 minutes to walk the course. I had to wait for 33 dogs to run before it was our turn, and the thing that struck me most was the vast size of the course – excellent for Rossi, but not so good for my 40+ legs and lungs. Rossi wound herself up into her normal frenzy, but no worse than usual, my lead was taken from me, and we were off! The only thing I can remember hearing was Emma & Amanda shouting and the first pole dropping – damn. Although we had 5 faults and a couple of wide turns we ended up 19th and through to the afternoon pairs event ( Nigel really chuffed he would get to spend his birthday afternoon watching dog agility!)
Emma and Amanda took us to breakfast at a strange little Greek place where everyone shouted, but the food was excellent and the cup of tea strong.  Rossi was put in Amandas car to chill – thanks for that, it was much appreciated to have that quiet time. After that we walked Rossi around London for an hour trying to persuade her to have a wee – not easy when your dog is particular.The afternoon performance soon came round, and we were told we would have to follow in the tractors and start walking the course as soon as it started to form as we only had 15 minutes. You are given a copy of the course to examine, but they seem so much bigger out there. Rossi and her partner were first to run, and nothing had quite prepared me for the noise and atmosphere – it was electrifying – Rossi was rigid – I couldn’t get her to even lie down. We missed the weave entry, but I don’t even think I said anything, and the same at the tunnel, but it didn’t really matter – the experience was amazing. Watch this space – I definitely want to do it again – it may take me another 15 years, I don’t care!! Thanks to everyone who has helped me and Rossi over the years, and Emma and Amanda for making the day such fun!

CLUB CHRISTMAS DINNER The end of another year - topped off with our Christmas meal at the Parson Woodforde. Never have so many turned out. 42 in all, and most unrecognisable out of there 'doggy' gear! Although given the ambient temperature - perhaps we should have stuck with fleeces and thermals! Terry got a chance to cover the important bits with another layer - see photos for evidence (I just hope Jackie didn't get stopped on the way home for speeding!) Sue Yallop introduced 'secret Santa' this year - great fun - and perhaps not for the faint hearted! Nigel will have to be educated in what to do with his! We must do this again sometime - it gives you a good indication of what people really think you are like - or perhaps what you should be like? Once we had all finished stuffing, and the food was good (the service was perhaps not so good - (Monica was taking notes!)?), Sue did the speech I always dread, and having had a couple of Red Bulls, seemed to quite enjoy herself - with an entertaining delivery of the years achievements. She also made Nigel realise I'm not as bad making my clothing choices as some!	As per usual at these events it was easy to spot those who were driving and those who weren't (again the photos probably evidence this pretty well!) Terry wouldn't let anyone get near his toolbox, Adam was best friends with everyone,although there was no music to encourage his usual entertainment, and someone was seen wearing a turkey on his head and another pants over his trousers!
Last, but not least, we did the presentation of the Annual Awards, the winners of each catagory taking home the shield (which will be a dusting nightmare for 2009!). The winners were:-
BEST STARTER - JOHN AND HEIDI BEST SENIOR - DENISE AND TIA BEST MEDIUM - HELEN & DEMON BEST MEDIUM - JAYNE & JEXIE	BEST NOVICE - JANE AND BINDI BEST VETERAN - SUE AND MAD FOZZIEWIGGLE AWARD - JAN AND TINKER All the Winners...

Well done to all, the points start again in January!

HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS!!

SORRY! SHELLEY MESSES UP....... I have a huge apology to make, I mistakenly added Nik and Tess to the Novice Leaderboard, when in fact he started the year as a Grade 2, and should therefore have been included within the Starter Leaderboard.  Nik obtained 402 points, which would have made him the winner, as the Starter shield should have included grade 1 and 2 dogs. To rectify this error, and so as not to disappoint anyone more than necessary, it has been arranged the John and Heidi will hold the shield until the end of May as the Grade One winner, and Nik will then receive if as the Grade 2 winner for 2008. Another trophy and rosette will be supplied to Nik. I also apologise to Angie and Ricky for missing them off the veteran listing – they scored 104 points and should stand 2nd in the Veteran category.

WELL DONE NICK AND TESS – SORRY I MESSED UP.  Thanks to both John and Nik for their understanding in this matter. For next years’ leaderboard we will do it by grade as your dog stands at the beginning of the year, and assuming we have a good number within each grade will look at doing awards for each grade. Shelley