2025 AGM:

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 1st February at 10.30am via ZOOM. 

Should any member have an item they would like to be discussed please email sportingwhippetclub@hotmail.com no later than Friday 24th January.

Sporting Whippet Club

Winter 2024 Newsletter:

Dear Members,

We hope you have all had a lovely Christmas.

We have a couple of updates for you:-

Membership:

Yearly membership subscription fees will be payable on/after 1st January for 2025. The Committee have agreed that charges will remain the same as last year; single membership £15; joint/family membership £20. I know that many of you have done so before but we ask that you fill in the membership form so that no one is missed. It is much easier to keep track of the form as they all come in on separate emails. You can find the form on the website under ‘membership’. Please pay promptly, by bacs, once you have sent your form.

Renewal will NOT be accepted via Messenger or Facebook.

Annual General Meeting

The AGM will be held in February via Zoom. Once a date has been agreed we will let you all know. We understand that there are some of you that do not use Zoom but for the majority it saves a lot of travelling. A copy of the minutes will be sent to current members once they are available.

Dates for your diaries: (may be subject to change)

23rd March - Frome, Somerset

April - TBC

11th May - Swerford, Oxfordshire

22nd June - Ashorne, Warwickshire

July - TBC

17th August - Coombe Hill, Gloucestershire

7th September - Ralegh's Cross, Somerset

5th October - Siddington, Finals Day

Frampton Country Fair - 14th September. Members are welcome to attend and parade with the hounds in the mail ring. Details will be given later.

As 2024 comes to an end and we look towards 2025 the Committee would like to wish you and your whippets a very happy and healthy New Year. We are looking forward to another exciting season and to seeing you all again.

Thank you for your continued support,

The Sporting Whippet Club Committee

Chairman - Greg McLatchie; Treasurer - Mark Bicknell; Secretary - Carol Edgington; Dawn Stockley; Sarah Meadham; Katie McDonald; Phil Edgington; Ashley Haynes

Winter 2022 Newsletter: 

Dear Members,

We hope you and your Whippets are enjoying your winter break. 2022 was a difficult year with a wet start and then hot, dry weather causing many meeting cancellations.

We are hoping for a better season in 2023 and will try to fit in extra dates if we have to cancel any meetings. We have had lots of new members and their dogs trialling and clearing, showing that the popularity of the club is still on the increase which is very positive.

We know it’s a difficult time for everyone and we have not raised our charges for many years but with increased costs we have had to make the difficult decision to raise fees for next season as follows:

Single Membership: £15
Joint/ family membership: £20
Passports (including photos): £10
Running Fees £6 per dog

Trials £5 per dog per meeting

Proposed dates for next season are as follows but may be subject to change:

19 th March
16 th April
14 th May
11 th June
23 rd July
20 th August
3 rd September
1st October

Venues will be announced in the new year

Sadly Penny Abbott has decided to leave the committee due to health reasons. Thank you Penny for your time on the committee which has been greatly appreciated. We wish you well and look forward to seeing you in 2023 at our
meetings.

We will not be replacing Penny immediately but will be looking for people to help out at meetings where possible, in the paddock, on the field, helping with the lure, clipping it on and off the quad and for someone who can drive a quad. Please let either Carol or Sharon know if you are interested.

We would like to thank Philip Edgington for doing repairs to the quad and servicing our equipment. This is a real help to us and greatly appreciated.

Sporting Whippet Club was started in 2013. We hope to have celebrations at the Championships in October and throughout 2024 as 2014 saw the first full season and first Finals Day. There will be more information as the season progresses.

The AGM will be announced in the new year.

Finally thank you to everyone for making our wonderful club what it is and we hope it will run for many more years with your support.

We look forward to seeing you all again in 2023.

With Best Wishes,
The SWC Committee

Chairman Sharon Dalgleish
Secretary Carol Edgington

Treasurer Mark Bicknell
Greg MᶜLatchie, Mike Florek and Elaine Jenkinson

Sunday 4th September 2022:

9 year old Phena (Ladygrove Dosey Doe) ran her last lure course at our Redgate meeting in Somerset. In the veterans final she ran with her friend Ringo (Wintefellin Gotta Dash avec Elstoto) and received a runners up Rosette. Phena has run with some super partners at SWC and if she could she would thank them all!

2018 SEASON FINALISTS:

Our AGM will be at Down Ampney Village Hall, 1pm 11th February.

All members welcome, sadly no dogs allowed in the Hall. 

All items for inclusion on the agenda must be emailed to sportingwhippetclub@hotmail.com

***YOUR SPRING NEWSLETTER CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE:

Minutes from the AGM Sunday 5th February :

AGM - SUNDAY 5th February
We can now confirm the venue for our AGM to be Siddington Village Hall, Ashton Rd, Siddington GL7 6HD.
Meeting will be at 1.30pm. Please send all items for inclusion on the agenda to sportingwhippet@hotmail.co.uk by 22nd January .

2016 SEASON TROPHY WINNERS!

WHEATROYD TROPHY - TOP WHIPPET 2016

Jenkinson's Winterfellin Gotta Dash

SHANDRIL TROPHY FOR BITCHES 17.5" - 18.5"

Winner - Bent's Ryemeadow's Zara

Reserve - Priest's Harerunner Hell For Leather

HARERUNNER TROPHY FOR DOGS 18.5" - 20"

Winner - Jenkinson's Winterfellin Gotta Dash

Reserve - Marcovecchio's Barmoll Bear's Boy

LAGUNA TROPHY FOR VETERANS 7+

Winner - Dalgleish's Shandril Moonchild

Reserve - Parker's Shandil Moon Walker

SPORTING WHIPPET CLUB STAKE FOR BITCHES OVER 18.5" &DOGS OVER 20"

Winner - Webber's Dark Wing

Reserve - Osborne's Derohan Bronze Angel

GO BYE TROPHY - MEMBER'S CHOICE AWARD

Biddy Trouton

16th June 2016

You can now download our mid season newsletter:

5th June 2016

We had a wonderful day at Fosse Tillery today. Beautiful weather, perfect ground, some brilliant coursing and another batch of newcomers showing the regulars how to do it.
The boys set up some great courses today and the dogs ran them brilliantly.
Thanks to Tracy and Loraine for tea cakes and raffle & Bryan Marshall for judging
Well done to all the finalists.
The Fosse Tillery Stakes bitches up to 18.5''
Winner Jen Walker's Ameesha Pina Colada
Runner Up Kate Bent's Ryemeadows Zara
The Easton Grey Stakes bitches up to 18.5''
Winner Paul Priest and Samantha Telling's Harerunner Hell for Leather
Runner up Gaynor Bell's Lavebella Diamond Destiny
The Malmesbury Stakes for dogs up to 20''
Winner Sandra Marcovecchio's Barmoll Bears Boy
Runner up Elaine Jenkinson's Winterfellin Gotta Dash
The Milbourne Mixed Stakes up to 20.25''
Winner Diana Webber's Dark Wing 
runner up Greg Mclatchie's Coppermow Lady Lettie
The Tetbury Mixed Stakes up to 21.5''
Winner Greg Mclatchie's Max Magnum at Coppermow
Runner Up Elise Parkin's Coppermow Blue Arrow
The Polo Ground Veteran Stakes
Winner Lilah and Richard Wainman's Laguna Lolitas Lawn
Runner up Ann Cliverd's Monelli Mississippi.
Look forward to seeing you all at Englefield Berks in July.

Sharon

15th MAY 2016

A lovely day at Cliffords pool. Glorious sunshine and a light breeze. The ground was perfect and the landowner had put up a judging platform for us. A good job Mark isn't afraid of heights!
Thank you to everyone that helped to make this a good day.
Results
The Raleighs Cross Stakes for bitches up to 18.5''
Winner Kate Bent's Ryemeadows Zara. Runner Up Paul Priest's
Harerunner Hell for Leather.
The Cliffords Pool Stakes for bitches up to 18.5''
Winner Pippa Hill's Ameesha Pure Satin Runner up Fleur Chant's Florancy First Footing.
The Chidgley Stakes for dogs up to 20''
Winner Elaine Jenkinson's Winterfellin Gotta Dash
Runner up Pippa Hill's Dashing Dexter.
The Colston Lane Stakes Mixed up to 21.5''
Winner Sue Meecham's Winterfellin Vanilla Sky
Runner Up Margaret Armstrong's Mulcair Must Contain Nutz.
The Nettlecombe stakes for bitches up to 19.25''
Winner Sarah Layfield's Witerfellin Hells Belle Runner up Elizabeth and David Johnstone's Ladeygrove Dosey Doe
The Windwhistle veteran Stakes 
winner Sue Meechams Silvajack Cassian Runner up Sarah Layfield's Winterfell Lady Grey.
See you all next month

Sharon

18th APRIL 2016

Thanks to all those who made our meeting 17th April such a success. Congratulations to all the winners:
Wainman's Laguna Lucie Lockett

Chant's Florancy First Footing

Jenkinson's Winterfellin Gotta Dash

Doherty's NL Ch Creme Anglaise's Hello Look

Meadham's Penny Paynes Blue Grey

Roughsedge's Moonlake Motorway Cop

Wainman's Laguna Loltas Lawn

See you all in May at Raleghs Cross - entries close 8th May.

20th MARCH 2016

Today the Big Red Lure machine did us proud. After a slightly shaky start with the lure getting stuck in the pulleys we were away and didn't look back.
There were some great runs especially from the Pups 'The stars of the future' 
Thanks to all that helped set up and pack away, you make our day a little shorter.
The Tea stall and Raffle had bumper takings.Thanks to Tracy Biddy and Lilah.Well done to all the winners 
The Shandril Trophy bitches up to 18.5''
Winner Clokes Wheatroyd Blissful Chimes
Runner Up Layfields Winterfellin Tinkers Pride

28th FEBRUARY 2016

Sporting Whippet Club Finals Day 20th March 2016
Brand House Farm, Avening nr Tetbury, Gloucestershire

All finalists and dogs previously entered have been notified.
There are limited spaces left in the supporting stakes as follows:

6 places in complementary stakes

1 place in the Puppy stakes (12-24 months old)

1 place in Veterans (over 7 years).
These will be available on a first come first served basis!

'The Big Red' has been tested by Mike, our lure driver, and is looking good for the coming season!

23rd February 2016

Annual General Meeting
Sunday 21st February 2016 11 am
Village Hall, Hawksbury Upton, Glos, GL9 1AU
MINUTES
1. Opening & Apologies
Meeting opened 11.14 am
Present – Sharon Dalgleish, Alec Dalgleish, Sandra Marcovecchio, Richard
Wainman, Sarah Meadham, Julia Cloke, Chris Cloke, James Newman,
Lorraine Florek, Mike Florek, Liz Hales, Lilah Wainman, Andrew Dawes,
Mandy Dawes, Tracy Marshall, Bryan Marshall, Anne Clilverd
Apologies – Elizabeth Moriarty, Gay Robertson, Catriona Ryan, Sarah
Layfield, Sue Meecham, Mark Bicknell & Biddy Trouton
2. Approval of 2015 minutes
Proposed by James Newman, Seconded by Sarah Meadham
3. Chairman's report
The positives – 90 competing whippets with average 6-8 stakes per
meeting.
Hired toilet facilities paid for by tea tent and raffle. Thanks to Tracy
Marshall, Biddy Trouton and all the bakers for the tea tent, and Lilah
Wainman for help with raffle.
The club was formed to encourage correct size and type whippet. We were
pleased that there was an increase in correct sized dogs and bitches this
season. We hope this continues but will always welcome whippets up to
21.5”
SWC is now a recognised lure coursing club for NWA, South West WC,
North Eastern Whippet Society and Crufts. We are waiting to hear from
The Whippet Club and Midland Counties and hope others will follow. We
our members will support the lure coursing show classes at these shows.
We purchased new pulleys, shy, gazebo and will upgrade other equipment
as funds allow.
We will be upgrading the club passports this season. Members should
bring their passports to each meeting,more details will be announced
shortly.
Thanks were given to Sarah Meadham for the website, Alec Dalgleish and
George Sell for Slipping, Mark Bicknell, Mike Florek, Bob Pittam and Tony
Dent for judging.
We hope to have new judges this season, and ask that any one interested
in judging speak to us, though remind you judges cannot run their own
dogs when judging.
On the less positive side – once again season was marred by lure machine
issues, we went through three machines, all proved inadequate. Lowest
point was having to abandon Finals. For the 2016 season, we have a
custom built machine from an experienced Hungarian maker, but will
always ensure we have a functioning back up machine.
Thanks to former Chairman Richard Gatenby for all his work setting up the
Club.
4. Treasurer's Report
Mark Bicknell was absent but sent a statement.
The season started with a healthy opening balance, and having made
significant investments, including new Lure Machine the closing balance is
£573. That will be sufficient to start the new season and income from
entries will cover ongoing expenses.
5. Committee
The committee are Sharon Dalgleish (chairman), Sarah Meadham
(secretary), Alec Dalgleish, Andrew Dawes, Bryan Marshall an Tracy
Marshall. Mike Florek has joined the committee and will take over as main
lure driver.
6. Any other business
James Newman raised concern over condition of grounds, and suggested
each ground was inspected in advance for issues (very dry/ over long
grass etc). This was agreed to be a good idea.
Proposal from Alec that all trialling dogs and puppies that are hand slipped
are handled by the slipper to get them used to being handled by strangers
and prepare them for competition. Seconded by Lilah Wainman and
agreed by all present.
Lilah asked that there be some sort of notice for judging, to help
newcomers understand. It was agreed that a board with rules, judging
and other important information be displayed at each meeting.
James Newman asked if the situation for muzzling was going to change. It
was agreed that muzzling would continue to be at owner discretion.
Photographers – there will be one designated photographer allowed on the
field. There will be a special area created for other photographers. This
was decided on safety grounds.
There will be no change to entry or membership fees.
Meeting closed 11.52 am

Introducing The Big Red , our new lure machine for 2016!

The machine has been built by Zoltan Kokeny in Hungary who has built many european lure machines.

It has been tested today and will be shipped tomorrow. We will thoroughly test it again when it arrives in the UK, prior to our March meeting. It is a very powerful machine.

We would just like to thank Emese Gyóllai, Hannes Krapfenbauer, Ewi Bd, and of course Zoltan for building the machine. Without these people This would not have happened.

NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2016

2015 Review

We were blessed with many wonderful things through the 2015 season – blue skies and sunshine at every meet, Tracy & Biddy's delicious teas and cakes, proper toilets and beautiful locations to name just a few.

We had a total of 90 competing whippets. Alongside 45 returning from the previous season we also welcomed 32 new dogs and 13 puppies. All those whose dogs qualified for the finals should be extremely proud. Special congratulations must go to Miss Sarah Layfield and the Winterfellin kennel who qualified in 1^st place in three out of our four classes.

As you will know, we were unable to complete our season finals in October, so look forward to starting our new season on a high with the 2015 Season Finals recommencing at our opening meeting of 2016. I hope all finalists have enjoyed a rest over Christmas and will be fit and ready to run. We will be in touch with all finalists in due course.

Reminders

Annual General Meeting

Our AGM will be held on Sunday 21^st February at 12pm at the skittle alley in The Beaufort Arms Hawksbury Upton, Gloucestershire, GL9 1AU. Please send all items for inclusion on the agenda to sportingwhippet@hotmail.co.uk by 7^th February. We welcome all members to come and hear our news and share your views. There will be the opportunity for a pub lunch afterwards, if you would like to join us please let us know no later that a week before so we can book appropriate numbers.

Membership

Membership for the coming season is now due. The fees remain £10 for a single and £15 for joint/family membership. In order to cut down on paper, only new members need complete a membership form. Those who are renewing membership can just send payment with confirmation email/letter unless there has been a change in address and/or phone/email then you will also need to complete a form.

Remember, only fully paid-up members of SWC may vote on any issues raised at the AGM.

2016 Season

We will be running complementary stakes alongside the finals at our March meeting. Entries made for October will be honoured, but there are a limited number of spaces still available, so if you wish to compete please keep your eye on the website or Facebook page as more details will be posted nearer the time.

Like many of us humans, our dogs may have got a bit soft with a winter off and Christmas indulgence, so can we take this opportunity to urge you all to ensure your dog is fully fit before entering an SWC competition. The courses we run can be long and gruelling. If you are unsure, please come and trial your dog over a shorter distance before entering.

We look forward to seeing you soon, in the mean time, keep up to date with all things SWC on here and the Facebook page.

We are sad to report that our chairman Richard Gatenby is leaving us. He is studying for a degree and now finds he has less time available. Richard was a founder member of the club and along with the other committee members put a lot of work into setting up the club. We wish Richard well and we hope to see him at future meetings.

There have inevitably been some changes on the committee. Sarah Meadham will now take over as secretary and Sharon Dalgleish will be the new Chairman, Michael Florek has now joined the committee. I am sure he will be an asset to the club.

The Club Agm will be held on Sunday 21st February in Gloucestershire, venue to be announced.

Sharon

The 4th October should have been a flagship day for us, a lot of hard work had gone into the season which had been dogged by lure machine problems, so with the arrival of the new machine we thought our problems had been solved!

Unfortunately this was not so, our finals day was marred by mechanical and human error . In hindsight we should have done more testing and had a spare machine on hand.

We apologise to our members, many of whom had travelled considerable distance to be with us to compete. We will learn from our mistakes and move on and we hope to make 2016 a better season.

We now have the whole winter to source a new lure machine and test it vigorously before the start of the season.

The finals will now be held on Sunday 20th March at Brandhouse Farm, Avening Tetbury, Glos.

The results so far will stand.

The complementary and puppy stakes will be reopened before the meeting but dogs previously entered will remain in the draw.

On a positive note we have seen some great coursing from our fantastic dogs and we have a great bunch of members, making this a very friendly and 'Sporting' club. We thank you all for your patience and support and look forward to welcoming you all in 2016.

The SWC Committee

Tomorrow is the big day. If You are entered in the finals or one of the complementary or puppy stakes please can you book in by 10am and collect your card. 

We hope to have the first dogs in slips by 10.30 am. If you have a dog to be measured please allow extra time.

The Venue will be signposted from the village of Shipton Moyne ( GL8 8PN ) please use this postcode and then follow signs.

The weather is set fair for tomorrow so lets hope for a good day. 

Hope you all have a safe journey and good luck to you all tomorrow.

Sharon

We have now received acceptances and apologies from all invited to compete in our season finals and can confirm the stakes to be:

Shandril Trophy Stake  - Bitches 17.5" - 18.5"

1 Winterfellin Tinkers Pride

2 Gills Little Gem at Coppermow
3 Laguna Lucie Lockett
4 Harerunner Hedgehunter
5 Moonlake Mercedes
6 Wheatroyd Blissful Chimes
7 Dawesychoice Dream On

8 Harerunner Hot Gossip

Harerunner Trophy Stake - Dogs 18.5" - 20" 

1 Laguna Lively Leveret

2 Montyjack Midnight Rambler
3 Barmoll Bear's Boy
4 Dashing Dexter
5 Silvajack Cassian
6 Maverick Dusky Moon
7 Olympic Warrior
8 Bye

Laguna Trophy Stake - Veterans 7+ 

1 Winterfell Lady Grey
2 Shandril Moonchild
3 Laguna Lauras Laertes
4 Laguna Lovely Lara of Ryemeadows

Sporting Whippet Club Stake -  Bitches over 18.5" and Dogs over 20"

1 Winterfellin Hells Belle

2 Montyjack Masqued Marksman
3 Penny Paynes Blue Grey
4 Winterfellin Vanilla Sky
5 Ryemeadows Roo
6 Vensuter Wheal Chimes

7 Bye

8 Bye

The seeding for finals day will be:

1+8, 4+5, 6+3, 2+7.

Veterans will be 1+4, 2+3

Today we used the new machine and were able to lay out some longer (650-750 meters) and more interesting courses. We had some teething problems which was understandable, mainly line breakage. The boys hope they have sorted that problem.

Thanks to Lilah and Richard for their help with the raffle raising a grand total of £100. Thanks also to slipper George Sell and Judge Bob Pittam.

The Venue for the Finals on 4th October is Fosse Tillery Farm nr Westonbirt, Tetbury, Glos. Finalists and reservists will receive their invites later this week.

We will also be running complementary stakes on Finals day. These stakes are open to all member's whippets that haven't qualified for the finals. They are entered in the normal way but spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come first served basis!

There will be two mixed 8 dog stakes for adults and 4 puppy stakes
Puppy stakes are for whippets OVER 12 months and under 24 months on the day of the meeting, and have been very kindly sponsored by Sarah Layfield.

Finally, Gay Robertson (Moonlake) is writing an article for the Crufts issue of the Kennel Gazette about demonstrably "fit for function" show dogs. If you have won a stake this season with a dog that is qualified for Crufts 2016 (and preferably that you intend to show there) please would you let us know, and we will pass on the details.

To all runners
 
I have been informed by our Chairman that the lane to and from the venue at Dryleaze is a single tracked lane with a rather nasty junction at one end. Due to this we insist that all competitors use the village entrance. Therefore, we have given the Post Code to the Greyhound Public house as the best to use, GL7 6HR. 

Please do not use the Post Code given on your entry form, this will bring you to the wrong end of the lane. A marked map is available to down load and print below.

FROM NORTH OF SIDDINGTON VILLAGE - Once you arrive at the Greyhound Pub please follow the map to the venue, there will be SWC sign posts in place as well. 

FROM SOUTH OF SIDDINGTON VILLAGE - Please use the Greyhound Pub Post Code, you will see SWC Signs prior to arriving at the Greyhound, please follow the signs to the Venue. 

On arrival please book in at the Gazebo and take your programme.

There will be NO Tea and cake stall this weekend as Tracy and Biddy are not here so please bring your own refreshments.

We will be running the new machine so will hopefully have some longer courses.

We will be short staffed this weekend and any help would be appreciated especially setting up and taking down.

Wishing you all a safe Journey.
 
Sharon

Our next meeting is your last chance to qualify for the season finals. Lots of entries in already, the closing date is 8th September.

The new lure machine is now ready and being tested so all being well it will be used at this meeting.

Lovely weather and a great venue greeted us at Fosse Tillery farm. What a lovely ground it was. Still no new lure machine but we are hoping it will be ready next month, thankfully the old one behaved itself with only one minor hitch at the end of the day. Once again lovely tea and cakes supplied by Tracy and Biddy. Thank you ladies.
Well done to all the finalists, the dogs ran brilliantly with some testing courses laid out by the boys.

Sharon

A lovely day at Dunster Fair today thanks to everyone for coming and for those that helped out.

Congratulations to the stakes winners Ivy & Tealeaf and the runners up Bunny and Dexter. Some great courses.

Hope to see some of newcomers and future meetings

Well done to all the winners and finalists.

Thank you To our Slipper George Sell and Judge Tony Dent who both did a grand job.

Thank you all for your patience. We hope to have the new lure machine for the next meeting. Hope all the injuries are minor ones and they heal quickly.

Sharon

We are once again back at Englefield polo ground on Sunday, one of our best venues.
The venue will be signposted from the village and is easy to find. 
Can I remind everyone please do not drive on the polo grounds and please pick up after your dogs.
The weather is looking cooler for Sunday at 20 degrees lets hope it stays that way. 
Tracy and Biddy will have their usual Tea and Cake stall which helps to fund the toilets so please support us if you can. Any Raffle prizes will be gratefully received.
You will have received an Email if you are entered please let me know if you haven't got one
Trials will be available on the day.
We look forward to seeing you all on Sunday. Have a safe journey

Sharon

Thanks to all those who came to compete, trial and spectate for your patience and understanding. It was a very frustrating day with lure machine problems once again. We are in the process of having a new machine built at GREAT expense and hope it will sort out the problems we have been having since we have started. We broke another machine today which is 2 in 2 meetings, not good! 

A well covered but very hard ground greeted us at Rushall Farm yesterday, resulting in a few hopefully minor injuries . We hope all dogs recover quickly.

Slipper George Sell and Judge Michael Florek both did an excellent job and we thank them both. Tracy's (& Biddy 's) Tea and cake stall raised a whopping £55 profit thank you all for supporting it.

Our next meeting will be 7th June in Somerset.

1st MARCH 2015

****ENTRIES CLOSE FOR MARCH MEETING SUNDAY 15th***

There are a number dogs who have turned 2 that need remeasuring, owners will be contacted shortly.

All dogs will have to be measured by two committee members from now on. If anyone would like their dogs remeasured please let us know.

Please note due to circumstances beyond our control the 6th June date has been changed to 7th June. Sorry if this has caused any inconvenience.

Dear Member

Hope you have all had a good winter break and are looking forward to the start of the new season.

The AGM will be held on Sunday 22nd February 2014 11am. at Barnsley Village Hall, Barnsley, Gloucestershire, GL7 5EE.

If there is anything you would like added to the agenda please let me know by 14th February.

Membership is due for renewal on 1st March.

There have been a few changes over the winter, Gay Robertson Scott Glasspool & Katie Manners have all left the committee.

We are grateful to them for their invaluable input and time put into setting up the new club.

Special thanks must go to Katie for all her work on the secretarial side, she did a sterling job and will be a hard act to follow.

The committee are as follows:

Chairman- Richard Gatenby

Treasurer - Mark Bicknell

Acting Secretary- Sharon Dalgleish 01984 629134 / 07962146995

Ladies and Gentleman of the Committee: Alec Dalgleish, Andrew Dawes, Bryan Marshall, Sarah Meadham we have co-opted Tracy Marshall.

The new season will start on Sunday 22nd March at Brandhouse Farm, West End, Tetbury Gloucestershire, GL8 8NE.

The April 19th meeting will be held in Berkshire

The May meeting has been moved to June 6th and will be held in conjunction with the WSH Terrier show near Wiveliscombe, Taunton, Somerset

There will now be a meeting on July 5th at Englefield, Berkshire.

August 9th Somerset. TBC

September 13th Siddington Gloucestershire

October 4th Berkshire TBC

Look out for updates on our Facebook page or on here on the website.

Equipment

Mark and Richard have been building a new lure machine with a stronger drum which will hopefully eliminate the problems we had at the last meeting. We will now have two identical machines.

The club will also be looking to buy a new set of pulleys as finances allow

Toilets

We have decided to hire toilets for each venue. As you know they are very expensive so we ask you to please support our raffle by bringing a prize or buying tickets as this will go a long way to helping out.

Tracy Marshall (our newest committee member) will also be making tea and cakes to help raise funds. We hope you will support her.

Judges and Slippers

Can we remind all members that the judge's decision is final. We may all try to judge the course from where we are standing or from the excellent online videos, but none of us have the view that the judge has. It is unfair for judges to have to explain their decisions. All our judges will remain unbiased and have no dogs running on the day.

This season we are pleased to have George Sell slipping alongside Alec.

Events

The SWC have been asked to put on a demo at Dunster Fair (near Minehead, Somerset) on 29th July. We will be putting on an 8 dog stake and trials. If anyone is interested in coming along please contact a committee member.

Finally congratulations to all the winners last season.

Harerunner Trophy Dogs 18.5 - 20'' Montyjack Midnight Rambler

Shandril Trophy Bitches 17.5 - 18.5 '' Moonlake Mazda

Laguna Trophy Veteran 7 years and over Draperslock Whizzalong

The Mannerpool Presentation Jacket Dogs & Bitches up to 21.5 '' Winterfellin Vanilla Sky.

The committee would like to wish you all good luck for the coming season. We look forward to seeing old members and new.