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March 09

South West Bulletin March 2009

Bobby Dalziel - announcement

It is with regret that we have to announce that all our fine plans for a three day workshop with Bobby Dalziel in May have been put on a long hold – maybe 2010. Further apologies to those of you who had contacted us and who have had to be disappointed.

News from the South West Nursery Trials - Molland, Exmoor in December resulted in the Maltese being won by Jim Nicholls with Dan and Mavis Backhouse with Polly, the Driving. Kim Scott provided the Venue and provided festive fare for everyone. Thankfully the weather was fine as were the sheep.

The trial at Hews Water, near St. Austell was hosted by Alan and Mrs. Bennett where the Maltese was won by Dick Montgomery and Meg and Norman Delgarno with Esk, the Driving. Matt Carter and Blue won the Young Handler section. Packets of five Romney X Texel store lambs kept everyone on their toes! Roger Grose was Judge and Maria Dalgarno, Timekeeper.

Following the difficult weather conditions of January and early February, a further nursery trial (the rescheduled David Kennard trial) was held at Ian MacKay’s Lustleigh venue on the 15th February where the weather was brilliant – mild and still, AND THE SUN SHONE – even if the ground was wet. It being a small field the mule hogs kept everyone on their toes! A big Maltese class found Jed Watson with Gale a clear winner with Mavis Backhouse and Polly triumphing in the Driving. Matt Carter won the Junior Handler with Blue.

Devon & Exmoor are looking forward to the Open season – Jane Harper is Trial’s Secretary and can be found on 01837 810562 or jane.harper20@virgin.net if you are looking for information. There will be about 8 Trials run under the Club banner and a further 10 trials run independently of the Society.

All will be published in the new Devon Trials Book 2009 – copies can be obtained from Wendy Watson on 01922 880215 or from Jane Harper, as above. Competing members of the D&E will have their copies sent to them within the next few weeks.

Cornwall Sheepdog Society announce their Annual General Meeting for the 22nd April at the Blue Anchor, Fraddon, Bodmin. Subscriptions are now due and the new Open Schedule 2009 for Cornwall Sheepdog Society will be distributed to Members. All are Welcome.

There are 21 Trials arranged for this year with the traditional start to the programme at John Carter’s where there will be two fields and two days of competition giving 4 trials.

There will be Trial at Bocconoc House near Lostwithiel – it is planned to add a photo of Cornwall President John Carter on the website – www.bonnocenterprises.co.uk

Contact Secretary Trevor Hopper 01872 501886. Or email Trevor at hopper.tw@tinyworld.co.uk

2009 Trails outside Devon and Cornwall –

   John Whitely, Babcary, South Somerset – Saturday 1st August (with a Somerset Club Trial on Sunday 2nd August) Please contact John or Alex on 01963 240618/ 07802 749925

   Tom Besant, Cheselbourne, Dorchester, Dorset. Sunday 16th August. One day only this time. Entries to Tom on 01258 837918/ ooo7766 733515

   Rob and Anna Hawke, Bishopstone, Salisbury, Wilts. Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October All entries to Anna Hawke 01722718228 or email hawke@onetel.com

News from Somerset Trialling and Training Club – December 28th saw a small field competing at John Whiteleys’. The combined competition of Maltese and driving saw welcome visitor Jenny Holdsworth with Wisp take the overall honours with Club members Mavis Backhouse and Polly, John Whiteley with Ruby and Meg, followed by Tom Besant and Molly. Derek Rashleigh was the Judge with Ron Fouracres keeping the Time. This was Derek’s first attempt at judging and good fist was made of it. As Ron says, more new Judges are needed! On this day, the sun shone, there was a good ambience and the hogs went well although a few packets were a bit lively! Mince pies were served!

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 7th April at 7.30pm when Subscriptions are due. This year the venue for the meeting is the Fox and Hounds at Charlton Adam near Somerton.

Bob Tail collies were mentioned in the last Bulletin – not the Old English or other Bob tailed shepherding dogs but a Border collie type. Received a call from a neighbour who used to have one and he says that they came over from Ireland in the 1870’s to Bala – to the first official Sheepdog Trial! His bitch was a descendant of those. According to ‘those who know’ it is a pure breed whereas the Border collie is a ‘made’ breed. The old Welsh drovers would use them as their ‘front’ dog it being they were very strong and would guide cattle past other cattle. My neighbour remarked on how nothing passes them!   Usually black and Tan in colour – more information can be found on http://www.coolieregistry.com – click on History.

This same neighbour extolled the virtue of the herbal preparation Aloe Vera for the treatment of gastro enteritis in very young puppies.

A while ago Geoff and Betty Temple contacted the ISDS to talk about their Training group near Slough in Berkshire. The Temples live on the edge of Burnham Beeches and at one time used to breed and show Shelties. However some thirteen years ago they purchased a Border collie and went to see Anna-Lou Daybell in West Wales to learn how to handle their new purchase. It was not a great time – at one point Geoff hid in the chicken house to get their dog back! However the whole concept of training a collie was born and when they returned home, books were bought, fields were found and 10 sheep obtained.

Gradually through sheer hard work and help from new friends, such as Ann Cox late of Guildford and now of Somerset, Betty is now teaching local smallholders how to work their dogs and competing at Nursery Trial level. Colin and June Fairland’s venue at Moreton Morrell is popular and Open Trialling beckons for Betty later this year. There are about 8 or 9 folk who regularly work with Betty and one of these is Joyce Gieir from upstate New York, USA who competed in the World Trial last year.

Geoff and Betty now have 100 sheep with three dogs, one of which is currently in pup – one of which
will be kept. Should anyone know of folk in this area who are looking for help – absolute beginners are welcome.

Telephone 01628 661100 or temple@SL166NB.freeserve.co.uk

For further information about these intrepid folk, see the March/April edition of the NFU Countryside Magazine where they have been interviewed

Recently had a request to find a new owner for a 5 month old Huntaway. At the time of the call the dog was housed at an animal rescue centre in the West Country because its middle aged lady owner “hadn’t realised that it would have so much energy, need so much exercise and make so much noise”! The question is this – why on earth was this poor animal sold to so clearly an inappropriate owner? Happens too often!

In the last edition of the ISN there were a great many photographs that appeared with the article about Brazil. It was unfortunate that credit for these was omitted – my apologies! Thank you Mariana Cavalho de Barros for all your help in the preparation of this piece and in particular, the photographs.

Included with this Bulletin is the most delightful photograph of Beacons Bura born on 26th October 2008 to Fynydd Jess 248301, by Beacons Bud 282293, both owned by Vic Pitts of Exeter. The bitch puppy has been purchased by Alen Marekovic of Croatia, an article about whom appeared in ISN May/June 08. A remaining litter brother to this bitch is already showing interest! Please contact me if you would like to know more! 01934 732661.

Sometimes people wonder if my surname – Woolley – is one that I have ‘made up’- always caused a lot of comment when I was arranging, and attending, shearing classes for the Wool Board! But no, it is a surname I acquired when there was a Mr. Woolley on the scene and the name became associated with me – probably on account of my often ‘woolly’ nature! To compound the association with sheep, I was born under the astrological sign of the Ram in the Chinese year of the sheep.

So no escape really!