PAWS FOR THOUGHT

New format
In order to simplify the updates I shall only be issuing four newsletters a year. This will avoid people having to read the same things over and over again. Notification of new issues will be given on the 'News Page' as will all the current news and information. Charity of the Year - for updates (see news page)
Members have voted for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution as the Charity for the Year 2008. Like many charities the RLNI receives no government backing and has to rely on public donations. Leaflets will be available shortly and our first fundraising event should be announced after the next committee meeting.

Watch this space for fundraising events – let’s see if we can beat last year's magnificent effort!!!

Old news
There will always be some items on this page that seem to stay forever, this is because the club feels these items are important and as we have new members joining all the time they would not get this information if they were removed

Guide Dogs for the Blind
I am still collecting used postage stamps for the Guide Dogs for the Blind; please remember me when opening your bills. These stamps are sold on to stamp collectors all over the world so undamaged ones bring in more cash, it is better to leave extra paper around the stamp rather than not enough.

Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme - latest news
In order to solve the complications of moving puppies from the puppy class and the bottleneck this causes in the beginner class, the puppy class will now be run as short courses based on The Kennel Club's Puppy Foundation Course. We always have problems fitting in everyone who wants to join and this is made more frustrating we people take spaces and then fail to attend or fail to complete the course.

Apart from that things seem to be going very well and this is because Karen and Pat are doing such a wonderful job in organizing things. The problems we are having with fitting in all the puppy training could be improved tremendously if we could find a local indoor venue. Any suggestions? Pubs, clubs, schools, disused factory, old barn? Ring Graham 01543 371744

Website
There has been a problem with updating the website as my original computer gave up the ghost and it has taken quite a while to get everything Club related back and working correctly.

Membership
Unfortunately despite the Club closing its waiting list to clear the backlog as soon as we opened it up again we immediately went back to and beyond the level we were before.

Please do not be put off by these problems and the delay; the Club is excellent value for money.

Membership Cards
Would members please ensure that they carry membership cards with them during training sessions. Failing to do this causes great concern with the committee, as irregularities can affect both health and safety and our insurance cover

Health and Safety
Health and safety are always a prime concerns of the Club so if members have any issues please let your trainer or committee member know as soon as possible.

Finally
Can I please ask all members who do not have full control of their dogs to keep them on lead on the field, both before and after the training session, and of course it goes without saying that ALL dogs should be on lead in the car park as this area is not covered by the Club’s third party insurance cover, and would have serious implications for you, should your dog be the cause of an accident. Whilst on the subject of the car park members should be aware that several cars have been broken into in the past so they should not leave valuables in their cars.

Happy training, and above all, enjoy the company of your dogs.

Graham Cyster
Hon. Secretary

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