Month: May 2024

Wirral Alsatian Training Society Shows 25 and 26 May 2024.

Well, what a weekend! The weather threw everything at us apart from hailstones, and snow!

Rain fell steadily, and heavily from Wednesday and on Thursday, when we had no alternative but to cancel the camping due to the potential damage to the venue, and loss of availability in future years. Also, there was standing water at the top end of the field under the trees. In the end we had 34 campers plus two club members’ caravans.

It was a near run thing, but we decided to go ahead with the shows, in view of the fact vehicle parking would be Ok, but even then, we had to swop the parking from one area to another to minimise the effect on the ground on the three days.

One point I would mention is that abuse towards our parking stewards is not and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The lady and gentleman tasked with this role were new to obedience and I hate to think what impression they have formed of our sport after the weekend.

So… big congratulations to our ticket winners, Shirley Clowes, and Wendy Hughes. Best of luck at Crufts 2025.

This year we had three shows, including Border Club of Wales. All the shows ran smoothly, with no more than the usual hiccups. Of course, I must thank all who helped, in setting up, running the shows, and our thanks to all those who helped clear the field at the end of a very long weekend. Thank you once again to everyone involved.

All being well we will run the shows next year. The dates for your diary are 5thand 6th July 2025.

Nicki Fildes-Moss

Show Secretary

Wirral ATS.

Phew!! I think the weather gods chucked everything at us this year. From torrential rain and thunderstorms to occasional patches of sunshine. I hope everyone manages to get off the venue today (Tuesday). Huge thanks to all the people who offered to tow the unfortunate stuck ones. Especially the tractor man who’s been working hard all morning.

Mega thanks to all who made this weekend possible. All our lovely judges and their stewards/score stewards for standing out in the rain. Gloria Fountain & Helen Jermy who work hard guiding all the campers into their places. You had a lot to put up with this year – unfortunately a few people don’t seem to realise you need to sleep at night The day car park people – Steve Parmiter and Steve Clark. Hope you didn’t get too much grief from anyone. Glynis Smith for making a selection of scrummy cakes again – thanks Glynis, always appreciated And please don’t forget the recipe for the cherry fruit cake. Seriously yummy! Thanks to Dave Gillett for doing his favourite stinky job lol Also to Loryn Oliver for standing in to judge, at short notice. Thanks to Jan and Clare for scoring/decoying where needed. And thanks to Reg Darby and Kay Griffiths for answering my plea for ring stewards. Huge thanks to our Chief Steward, Richard Kebble. Always on hand to help and advise, thank you. Hope you can do it all again next year And a big hug to Vanda Fitter for taking all the scent cloths home to wash. Thank you Vanda Thanks also to Teresa Paterson for printing, sorting class numbers & running orders etc. Not the easiest of jobs with people having to swap classes.

Thanks as always to the Norfolk/Yarmouth clubs for the use of their equipment. We definitely wouldn’t be able to run these shows without all your stuff! And thanks to John & Jo for allowing us to use their venue and Jo and girls especially for doing all the catering.

Hope I’ve not forgotten anyone.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend in spite of the rain. Huge thanks to everyone who put their name down to judge next year. We’ve actually got more names than we need!! I’ll be in touch with everyone soon. Thanks again.

One little moan to end on – to “Mr. Horrified” who came to tell us he was horrified that the beginners was taking so long to judge! I hope you were happy with your rosette after waiting sooo long. Just think for one minute that a comment like that, after we’ve spent all day putting on a show in the pouring rain, might just make us think “sod it, we won’t do this again” Oh well, there’s always one See you all next year 24/25/26th May And it’s still raining………

Kath Westell

So, another year comes and goes. The rings and equipment goes away to gather dust until the next time.

After a much deserved rest and contemplation now is the time for the usual post show debrief.

As some of you may know, we are only a small club that is primarily a breed club. It may suprise you to know that the obedience team that organises and put on the show consists of 3 people. The breed side which is the chairman, secretary and treasurer did not attend the show at all so you can imagine it is a very tough task to put on a successful event.

I would like to place on record thanks to my mum Jacki Snook who is the primary organiser of the event. She finds and selects the judges. She does all the leg work in making sure the right paperwork is ready and ensures that things are in place to make the show as successful as possible. Myself and my dad have picked up the extra tasks to try and release the pressure.

As mentioned above the show cannot function on 3 people alone. We had extra help from people who have no association with the club and without them the show would not go ahead. I would like to place my thanks to Julie Shepherd, Neil Shepherd and my partner who came and helped with setting up on the Sunday and then helping the running on the Monday. As you saw from the post last week and the stress of the venue the parking went much better than expected and I would like to thank every single competitor and visitor for their patience and understanding to make the most of a very undesired situation.

We had extra help towards the end of the day from people who train at the club and other friends and your efforts were greatly appreciated.

Further thanks to the judges and stewards who have given up there day to help. It is much appreciated.

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the show and once again I truly appreciate and thank your respect and understanding during the difficult circumstances.

Jacki & Anthony Snook

Firstly I would like to thank Rob and his team for all their hard work both in preparing for and on the big day. It was a lovely round to work and it’s always a pleasure to be stewarded by Paul with his calm reassurance and skill of being in just the right place on every turn. The whole team and organisation were faultless. Thank you.

I have been completely overwhelmed by the wishes of Good Luck and congratulations we’ve received and would like to say a huge Thank You to everyone concerned.

I hope to see you at the shows soon.

On a personal level the whole Crufts experience has been unbelievable and amazing. I went hoping Rumour and I would complete all the exercises but she absolutely rose to the occasion. I am so proud of my girl and chuffed my handling held up on the day.

After many years competing in obedience to be the proud owner and sidekick to Obedience Champion Raital Rumour is absolutely a dream come true and to have won the Crufts Championship is out of this world.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this amazing experience.

Frances & Rumour