AGM MINUTES HELD ON TUESDAY APRIL 7TH 2009
APOLOGIES Jon Bury, Anthea Lawrence, Mary Ward, Diana Hammond, Rosemary Symons, Sacha Treadwell, John Horlock, Jane Oliver, Don & Joy Elson
PRESENT 38 members and 6 new members
MINUTES were read and signed by the Chairman Brian Lambert.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
As many of you may be aware I have decided to stand down as Chairman of this very flourishing club, a position I have held since the turn of the century. During that time the club has increased in numbers from approximately 40 members to nearly 180. This makes us one of the strongest working clubs in this area.
I feel I must offer a sincere thank you to the Committee for their devotion to the club particularly to
Working Test Secretary – Roger Wiggins
Treasurer - David Coode
And our dedicated Secretary – Jean Tidmarsh
Each will be giving their reports shortly.
I must thank the trainers, of which there are 10, and the dummy throwers for their help each week during the training season all of which helps to contribute to the success of the club.
Once again I would like it to be officially recorded our sincere thanks to the owners of the grounds which we use for our summer training:-
Clive & Sylvia Richards of Lower Hope Estate
Jane & Matthew Oliver of Ocle Court
Luke Thompson-Coon one of the Trustees of Westhide Estate, where incidentally this club started under the watchful eye of Kit Fraser several decades ago.
The training season starts next Tuesday April 14th at Westhide and I look forward to seeing you all many times during the summer.
Adoption of the Chairman’s Report Bernard Pound
Seconded Julia Redpath
SECRETARY’S REPORT
On Sunday afternoon I went down to check out Westhide ready for our first training evening next week. I had been on the computer all morning and a walk through the woods was a welcome relief. For those of you that trained there last year will be pleased to hear that we can park safely, there are only a few logs left. However, the deep ruts have disappeared leaving clear areas. The shoot has been let and it is up to us to leave it in good order, so please pick up dog droppings Julia and I will have spare sacks. That applies to Ocle and Lower Hope.
A big thank you to those people who are willing to train this year, and the dummy throwers, it is a huge commitment.
Hereford Country Fair will be at Castle Fields again this year on Sunday August 2nd we need help on both Saturday and Sunday. Thank you to all those that helped last year at the Fair and the day before. I will be asking for volunteers nearer the time for this year’s event.
Membership continues to increase and I have started a waiting list for people wanting to train their dogs.
I would like to thank Jacki Addis for all her help, she is a wizard on the computer. I am stepping down at next year’s AGM as Secretary but will remain on Committee to help Jacki. It is not an office that everyone graves to hold and Jacki is willing to take it on. I have been Secretary for eleven years and it is time to bow out.
Brian is stepping down as Chairman, I would like to thank him for all his support and commitment to the club and to the Committee. Fortunately he is staying on Committee. On behalf of the club Brian I would like you to accept this gift as a token of our appreciation.
Mick Downes is coming off Committee and we would like to thank him for all the help and to please accept this small gift.
We start training next Tuesday, the details are in your envelopes. Have fun with your dogs and thank you.
Adoption of the Secretary’s report – Paul Collins
Seconded – Veronica Harris
FINANCIAL REPORT
Balance carried forward to next financial year £3,496.76
Adoption of the Financial Report – Morton Redpath
Seconded – Tony Griffiths
WORKING TEST SECRETARY’S REPORT
Once again we have had a very enjoyable year.
The novice and open tests took place at Devereux Wootton by kind permission of Mr Patrick Wrixon. We had twenty two dogs in the novice and eighteen dogs in the open. Thanks to all who ran a dog or helped in any way to make it a very enjoyable day.
The puppy/junior handler/intermediate/veteran tests were held at Ravenshill Court by kind permission of Mr Ron Trevorton – Jones. We had a very large entry, a total of sixty six dogs, which made it a very long day for competitors and even longer day for all those people who set things up and helped on the day. It was disappointing to hear some competitors complaining it took too long at each test, the main complaints coming from those who had entered on the day. In future no late entries or entries on the day.
Field trial training day took place at Lulsley Court by kind permission of Mr Martin Cook in a field of fodder beet. The judges Mr Brian Gregory and Mr Terry Dukes who were very helpful and informative. Judging by the feedback everybody felt they had gained a little from the day. We hope to have at least one if not two days this year with the same format.
Once again the Hereford Country Fair proved to be a very enjoyable day with all teams putting up a good performance. After the welcome and a reminder not to under estimate the Wye Valley junior handlers or you will do so at your peril it was sad to have to dispel rumours that the Wye Valley Retriever Club had been training on the test ground and had used dogs that were running in the team to try out the tests. The winners were the Wye Valley junior handlers.
The Wye Valley Novice Field trial was held on the Sufton shoot by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Mark Rigby. The judges were Mr J Jones, Mr T Dukes, Mr L Jackson and Mrs G Wright. The trial got off to slow start with two ducks shot on the first drive. The second drive produced a further six birds and a further two birds in the third. Lunch was taken giving time to sort out the dogs to go forward and to get into drives to produce more game. The fourth drive produced enough game to enable the judges to complete the trial with a very worthy winner Mr Roger Colver. Many thanks to all those who helped particularly Kate Smith – chief dog steward, Julia Redpath and Claire Raymond who were the dog stewards. Thanks to the guns for playing their part.
The end of terms tests were held by kind permission of Mr & Mrs David Coode. Once again it was a wonderful day with a record entry at all levels. Some very good dog work, and nice to see so many club members taking part. This event is becoming very popular and allows members to compete in working tests without too much pressure. Thanks to the hosts for providing lunch, and to all those who helped to make it a very successful day.
Adoption of the Working Test Secretary’s Report – Claire Raymond
Seconded – John Jones
RULE CHANGE
The Committee proposes that Rule 4.i. be amended as follows:
Election shall be by ballot at the AGM
The remaining parts of the clause shall remain unchanged. The changes are noted in bold italics.
AGM amendment proposed by Iris Wright and seconded by Paul Collins as follows:
Election by secret ballot at the AGM
The remaining parts of the clause shall remain unchanged. The changes are noted in bold italics.
The AGM amendment was carried by unanimous vote.
COMMITTEE ELECTION RESULTS
Brian Lambert, Terry Dukes and Jean Tidmarsh were voted back on Committee. Bernard Pound was voted onto the Committee.
No other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.00pm
