ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING March 7th 2010

Report from the AGM held at Culm Valley Sports Centre, Cullompton

Chairman
The Chairman reported that it was pleasing to see the continued support for the Club, especially in such economically difficult times. Once again, all the events held during the year had made a profit, testament to the members and the Committee.

As a Club, it was not just our role to put on Show events but also to help ensure Members were given the opportunity to develop in the judging world – and this year the Club had hosted a successful Seminar.

The Chairman was pleased to see additions to the Committee, helping to ensure the Club continues to go from strength to strength.

On that note, the Chairman wished to thank the Committee for their continued support to the Members and himself. He was especially grateful to those who had been with the Committee for some years and he was pleased to see one of those long serving members moving into the vacant role of Vice-Chairman.

He could not end his report without thanking Kathleen Heath, the Club President, for her continued dedication to the Club and wishing all the Members a successful 2010.

Secretary
Another year had passed during which the Secretary believed support for the Club had visibly increased. The Club had a strong and enthusiastic committee and enthusiasm for the Breed in the South West continued.

The Club held its two Open Shows during 2009 and also a KC Conformation & Movement – and 50 Points of the Dogs Assessment Seminar in September; which had been a success from all points of view;

The Judges in May and November, Coral Morris and Sandra Gregory, drew a good entry and the Seminar, presided over by Carole Coode of the Warringah Labs, had been enjoyed by those who attended; all of whom passed their Assessment; the accounts confirmed a satisfactory income over expenditure for each event.

The Club’s Website went “online” during the summer ( www.devonandcornwallcockerclub.co.uk) on which the Show results were posted, with photographs of the winners; there was a facility to members of the Club for advertising “Puppies for Sale”; it was also possible to add photographs recording the success or just memories of members’ dogs. Other useful information was available, including the facility to download Schedules and the site was kept up to date on a regular basis.

During the coming year it was hoped to revive the competition for Devon & Cornwall Cocker of the Year and to hold a workshop for grooming; judges training day and/or eye testing. Members would be kept informed.

She thanked all for their help during the past year and wished members good luck 2010.

Hon Officers and Committee:
The vacant position of Vice Chairman has been filled by Wendy Cullen and following the resignation from the Committee of Sally Mounter, due to ill health, two new members were elected – Miss Pam Valentine and Miss Kimberley Dare.

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Liskeard & DCS Team Stakes Sunday 11th July 2010
Congratulations to the Team representing the Club and winning the Team Stakes Class on Sunday at the Royal Cornwall Showground out of an entry of nineteen teams – an excellent result for these enthusiastic exhibitors:-

Kimberley Dare, handling Fran Bowman’s Asquanne’s Grania with Franaille
Fran Bowman with Franaille Oceans
Chris Pearn with Totenkopf Rocknrobbin with Gwbert
Gary Green with Rothmia Queen Sophia at Meloneras

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NOTES FOR THE YEAR END - 2010

It is hard to believable that once again the festive season is upon us and another year draws to a close. This year we are, as you will all be seasonally aware, amidst the bleak mid-winter in all its glory and for those of us who have the comfort and joy of an open fire it is a time for basking in the warmth with our feet on the lucky hearth spaniel!

The Club was lucky to get its 14th Championship Show held between the snow falls and although the reduced entry reflected the general trend, I am sure the quality made for an interesting day for both judges, John Gillespie (Lochranza) Dogs and Ellen Harman (Ellgars) Bitches. One casualty of the winter weather was our Referee, John Cahill, who phoned a couple of days before the Show to say he had broken his arm, having fallen on an icy path. We were lucky to have Sally Leeding (Floroyal) step in at very short notice and in the end she was required to make the final decisions. We all send our best wishes to John and hope he is making a good recovery.

Two winners will have been pleased they made the long trip from Scotland – David Todd, whose Chataway Gilroy gained his first CC and went on to Best in Show, with Wilma Reid’s Sh Ch Shanaz Sporran taking the RDCC and Reserve Best in Show. There was another first CC for Mr and Mrs Siviters’ successful black bitch, Trentshome Sno Business, who was awarded Best Opposite Sex, with the Reserve Bitch CC going to Angie Hackett's eye catching Lindridge Apricot Delight; Joaldy Mandolin Wind clocked up another Best Puppy In Show and the well known Sh Ch Glowhill Scrumpy Jack took Best Veteran in Show.

The full results, with photos, are recorded HERE

2010 has brought us the sad loss of both George and Joyce Caddy, of the famous Ouaine Cockers and the passing of the era. Both Beorge and Joyce were founder members of the Club and latterly Joyce has been our Patron.

Many top winning cockers carried the Ouaine affix, the most successful being Int Ch Ouaine Chieftain who was Reserve Best in Show at Crufts in 1970 and Best in Show twice at all breed Ch Shows. His pedigree makes for interesting reading, see HERE

George’s funeral had been a quiet private affair, but a number of us from the South West gathered at the Taunton Crem on 2nd December; where we joined members of Joyce’s family from California and this country to bid farewell to a well loved and respected lady.

The TV news has informed us that this has been the coldest winter on record since 1981 – I remember it well, since it was the last time icicles three feet long were hanging from the eves and I am wearing today the Slumberdown body-warmer I bought at the time! It is some twenty years since we had “proper” weather and I know that some of the youngsters I work with are unfamiliar with the extreme; however, perhaps the property winter is a portent that we can all look forward to a proper summer.

Wishing you all prosperity and luck in 2011.

Sally Ellison