Funday

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Funday, Orchardleigh, 18 July 2010

Back in the depths of last winter our committee meeting began with the usual gentle banter about spaniel people turning up in white vans with masses of dogs pouring out of the back and retriever people turning up in posh vehicles with equally posh dogs not wanting to get their feet wet. From these friendly insults came the idea that it would be a good for the two sections of the society to come together for a day of activities that all could be involved with.

So with great enthusiasm and not much idea about how things would be the funday was launched. Charles Fuller, our patron, was delighted to allow us to use Orchardleigh for the day and keeper Neil gave great support to the idea right from the start and we are very grateful to them.

We wanted there to be an element of competition but without any pressure and we wanted it to be an opportunity for new members, long time members and families to come along and have a go, with working tests designed for all capabilities, suitable for both spaniels and retrievers, scurries and a dog and gun competition.

Committee members worked hard at the various events advertising the funday and there seemed to be an interest among members although as the day approached there was some apprehension; would the weather be kind to us? Would people actually turn up? And would Martin have enough or not enough burgers for the B-B-Q. As it turned out the weather was glorious, the crowds appeared and the burgers were excellent.

There were four working tests, heel-work with a seen retrieve judged by John Prince, a double blind in a wood judged by Kevin Harrison, a seen followed by a blind judged by Jay Thompson and a double seen retrieve judged by Isobel Whitford. Competitors were able to decide for themselves what category they were, novice, open or fun and the tests were altered accordingly.

Jill Selwood set up a scurry, a seen and a blind in a square of hay bales, while Helen Cripps ran a ‘pick-up’ scurry – three dummies each marked with a number were required from 10 that had been placed in an area of rough grass. The highest score won with the time taken used in the event of a tie.

Alan Guest and Bob Sweet ran a ‘dog and gun’ clay shoot where six clays were fired and then the dog retrieved three dummies as quickly as possible.

The day was a great success with everyone enjoying themselves. It was very pleasing to see that among the winners were two members who own rescue dogs and who would not be eligible to enter the normal society events.

The list of thank-you is enormous! Lucy Arnold, Helen Gray and Nina who did a fantastic job getting sponsors for the day, there were really good raffle prizes. Lucy and Helen also worked so hard on the running of the day as well. Martin Dennett did a superb job on the BBQ. Michael as a good treasurer should took charge of the money and it looks like there has been a good profit for the club! I must also mention those people not on the committee but who support the club throughout all our activities and certainly came up trumps for the funday; spouses and partners, Colin, Richard, Marilyn, Margaret, Jean, Dave for looking after the twins, Kevin’s daughter Rebecca. Also thanks to Carol Millington for supplying the BBQ, Shane and Julie for helping John, Roy for his well practised dummy throwing, Celia, Roger, Ian and wife, Christine and husband, Adrian, Bob and Kelvin.

We were able to have several sponsors; Skinners, Sporting Saint, Quest, Tuffies, CLA Game Fair, Crufts, Shooting Times, Wiltsjire Game Fair and Country Show, Burtons Pet Shop, Celia Norris, Sainsbury’s, Wadswick Country Store, W. Green & Son, T7c Arnold Agricultural Contractors, Richard Cripps, Jake Eastman, Specsavers, Sarah Best, Bristol Hippodrome many thanks to you all.

I know I will have left some names out; it is entirely my fault for not keeping up with the paperwork! WWGS are very grateful to all our helpers and sponsors, we could not do it without you.

Finally thank to those members who came, we hope you all enjoyed yourselves. As a committee we were delighted that after the hard work that had gone into organising the day you the members came out and supported us.

Results.

Retrievers Spaniels

Open

1st Kelvin Selway / Visce

2nd Kelvin Selway / Pip

Celia Norris / Meisje

3rd P Cousins / Moss

Novice Novice

1st Helen Gray / Teasel 1st A. Bundy / Becks

2nd Nic Jordan / Charlie 2nd P. Matthews / Meg

3rd V Meeker / Pip Jo Yates Jack

R Ford / Finn 3rd Gill Chapman / Cloud

Roger Millbank / Murphy

Fun Fun

1st Nina Harding / Gracie 1st Keith Harris / Jack

2nd E. Lyons / Boots 2nd R Evans / Pip

3rd Clive Westmacott / Betty 3rd J Spencer / Tess

Bale Scurry Pick up scurry

1st Ian Brothers / Ollie 1st Kelvin Selway / Pip

2nd Dave Willcot / Rio 2nd Jill Chapman / Cloud

3rd Michael Ranson / Islay

Dog and Gun Dog with Gun

1st Nick Jordan / Celia Norris with 1st Tom Sheppard with

Apologies for not knowing the names of your dogs, once again the paperwork has gone astray!!

Helen Cripps