Stour Valley Newsletter December 2010 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR www.stourvalleyagilityclub.co.uk Founder and Hon. President Frances Elliott
Honorary Member Mary Baker Audrey Weekes
Committee Chairman Carol Maclean 01303 874190 Email cazmaclean@hotmail.com Secretary Melanie Buxton 01797 270769 Email: mel@wagnbone.co.uk Treasurer Judi Cross 07962900942 Email: judiacross1@btinternet.com Ordinary Members Dee Morgan 07973671069 Email: deemorgan@talktalk.net Elaine Smith 07903321821 Email: elaine1milo@aol.com Sue Culmer 07761344726 Email: sue@magicagilityk9.plus.com Norma Thompson 07796 180231 Email: pollynjack@btinternet.com
Instructors Melanie Buxton
Dee Morgan
Sue Culmer
Norma Thompson
Judi Cross
Elaine Smith
Christopher Phillips
Jennifer Bannister
Santa’s Puppies
Dear Members, Once again our new starters have reached the end of their initial training. We hope they have enjoyed their introduction to agility and will continue to join us on a Thursday evening. Congratulations to Elaine who passed her Agility Instructors training course as an approved instructor, commiserations to Judi who was seriously ill with a migrane and consequently missed lectures. Thank you to all our trainers, especially those that have stepped in at short notice, due to circumstances that we hopefully will not have next year. Finally, I would like to wish all of you a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Carol - Chairman
Competition Report The competition season is beginning to slow down now so only a few to mention: Handler: Judi Cross Dogs: Liza, Keira, Marja Breed: Samoyeds, Finnish Lapphund Height: Large Results: 8th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd and a 1st place with another 2 clear rounds. ~~~~~~~~~ Handler: Dee Morgan Dogs: Candy, Chey Breed: Lurchers Height: Large Results: 2 x 7th, 6th, 2 x 4th, 3 x 2nd and a clear round. ~~~~~~~~~ Handler: Julie Macey Dogs: Stanley, Gilbert Breed: King Charles Caveliers Height: Small Results: Several clear rounds
Handler: Elaine Smith Dogs: Ben, Roxy Breed: Lurcher/ Spaniel Height: Large/ Medium Results: 9th, 4th, 2nd and a clear. ~~~~~~~~~ Handler: Sue Culmer Dogs: Many Breed: Various Height: Large/Medium/Small Results: 2 x 5th, 3 x 2nd. Handler: Maria Dogs: Sky Breed: Border Collie Height: Large Results: 14th, 2 x3rd and 2 clears.
Report from Sue Culmer
Stour Valley & 2010
Thank you to everyone who filled in the
Another year over and what a year it has
questionnaire I recently emailed to you all
been.
about the club show for 2011 and also to
We began the year with snow on the ground
those I spoke to at club about helping next
for most of Jan, Feb, and March which meant
year. We have decided to go ahead with the
that we had to cancel club on a few occasions
show and it will be held on September 17th
but eventually the weather broke and the
and 18th 2011 so please put these dates in
spring came and before we knew it we forgot
your diary now. We really do need all hands
all about the cold weather. The competition
on deck on both days to help run the show
season kicked off in style, so off went our
and also with the setting up on the Friday
members, almost every weekend, enjoying
before. A lot of
the
preparation
and
organisation is done through out the year but on these days it's your physical presence we desperately need. We are offering a free training day with Dave Munnings for all those that help and believe me that's not to be missed!
our sport that we love, and having fun with their dogs at the same time, how bad is that. Special mentions go to those that have won out of their existing grades this year, they are, Sue Culmer moves up to grade 6, Julie Macey moves up to grade 6, Elaine Smith moves up to grade 2 and Maria Thomas moves up to grade 2.
We also hope that our new members will get
Really well done to all of you. Some of our
involved who may well be competing
members competed for the first time this year.
themselves and can offer there assistance
They are Roz with Bertie, Shaun with Jess,
also.
Maria with Sky and Helainie with Slinky all
The committee just wants to say to you all, if more of you help, the more time we have on
gaining experience and in some cases winning places. Not a bad start.
the day to spend with our dogs and see
We have also had more instructors trained
friends and share experiences. So please
to take classes. Judi, Chris and Elaine have
support us to make our show one of the best
been teaching almost throughout the year.
in the calendar year. We may well be setting up a show
Jennifer, Roz and Helainie covering classes when needed, all gaining valuable experience and contributing to our member's successes
committee to share out some of the pre-show
with there fresh ideas. We have been blessed
preparation, so thank you to those that have
with so much talent, and it has been greatly
offered that help.
appreciated as it has been a challenging year
Thank you from all on the Stour Valley Committee. Sue Culmer
for a number of our instructors. Norma, a stalwart of our club, a long serving member and always ready to help, support and cheer
and never down beat, has been suffering from
dogs and handlers. We had so many great
cancer for a while now. Unable to teach
comments saying we just have to keep doing
because she finds it hard to walk but still
it every year. It also enables us to earn the
working hard for the club, on the committee,
club some money so that we can update our
we owe her so many things, thank you Norma
agility equipment and only a few weeks ago
for just being you and we hope to see you at
we took delivery of 20 new jumps, a dog walk
the Christmas party.
and seesaw, all painted in our club colours.
In July Mel and myself, Dee, were both
Fantastic.
diagnosed with breast cancer, how bizarre is
So, soon the winter will be upon us, we have
that. We both took it on the chin and got on
our party night organised for you and a
with the surgery and the treatment. Mel is now
Christmas dinner date if you choose to come
back teaching and continuing with her
and before you know it we will be in 2011.
treatment and I will back teaching when mine
How quickly time passes.
finishes in the new year.
We hope you have enjoyed the past year at
And so with the support of our great team of
Stour Valley Agility Club and look forward to
instructors we were able to keep the club
seeing you all back next year on Thursday
running. I personally would like to say a big
January 6th 2011.
thank you to all of you for all your support and I'm sure Mel and Norma feel the same. It's at this point I would like to congratulate Elaine Smith on passing the Agility Club Instructors course she took in October. Having been on it myself I know how tough it is. Well done. We also have a new treasurer this year, Judi Cross. Judi has implemented new ways of getting you to pay, on time, I hope! And she continues to do a fantastic job in keeping our club finances in order. In September we had our annual club show which again was a real success. We have a great venue down the road and once again we were blessed with good weather. Our show is a favourite with competitors because not only do we offer good camping pitches but we have access to acres and acres of exercise fields, greatly appreciated by both
It only leaves me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! Dee Morgan on behalf of the Committee
Diary Dates December 9th - Christmas fun night • if anyone has any raffle items to donate please bring them on the night or give to a committee member beforehand. December 16th - Christmas Dinner A great fun night at the Conningbrook Hotel in
NoticeBoard Important Reminder We would like to remind all members to arrive on time, particularly those in the first two classes, to arrive at 6.30pm if you are able, to help set up the courses for the classes so that we can start on time and also before leaving at 9pm can you all
Ashford, 3 course meal, wonderful company and
please help to put equipment away.
a disco all for £14.95 per head.
Also in classes where there are mixed heights
Stour Valley Calendar 2011
training would you please help the instructor to put poles up and down when asked. Thank you.
This year for the first time we have produced our own club calendar featuring most of your dogs that train with us.
Payment Dates Jan 6th 2011 £12.00
Show Schedules Anyone looking to compete, log onto: www.agilitynet.com or www.agilityeye.co.uk
Advertisements For all your canine massage requirements please contact Elizabeth Ford on 01233 502536
or
go
to
her
website
www.dogscanheal.co.uk I have tried to include every one but there are some that are missing, either no photo’s
Agility Equipment
were submitted or we were just not able to
For good quality made agility equipment,
use the photos for quality reasons. But the
highly endorsed by Toni Dawkins, please
finished product is a great representation of
contact David or Angela on 01233 733024.
our canine friends and we do hope you would like to purchase one or two. It has been a non profit making venture and
Club Clothing If anyone would like to purchase club clotihng
the price is £6 per calendar. We only have a few
this can be found on our website:
left, please see Dee or Elaine to purchase one.
www.stourvalleyagilityclub.co.uk
Dee Morgan