Newsletter - Spring 2008

Ebbisham
Beach House Lane
Bembridge
Isle of Wight
PO35 5TA
Tel: 01983 872147 (home)
07979 882744 (mobile)
  e-mail: rosemary.e@virgin.net

Dear Member,

First of all, a quick reminder to all those who have not yet paid their subscriptions that these are now overdue: (£6.00 for Seniors, £4.00 for Juniors under 16 and £12.00 for a Family Membership). Please add £1.00 if you would like newsletters posted and £2.00 if you would like to receive the show schedules by post. All information is available on the website and can be downloaded from here.

The AGM was attended by approximately 90 members. The Chairman reported another successful year when most events had been well supported and the usual thanks were given to all who had helped to make the events such a success. She again stressed the need for more assistance in running events and members were asked to put their names forward if they were able to offer any help. At the end of the evening only one name had been put on the list. It is pretty poor that only one member felt able to offer help when there is a membership of nearly 200. The wet weather during the summer had played havoc with events: the Summer Show had eventually gone ahead at the third attempt on 19th August and the 3-Event Day had been cancelled not only due to the weather but due to a lack of interest. Our President, Ken Gill, said how pleased he was to see the Society still going from strength to strength and it was nice to see such a good turnout for the AGM. He gave thanks to the hard-working Committee and said how impressed he was with the way the Society’s events were being run. Veronica Bingham, Hilary Box, Chris Hiller and Keith Whitehurst were all due to retire from the Committee but were standing for re-election. Nominations were received from Allen Atley, Lawrence Flux and Tina Murrant. No election was necessary as the nominations filled all the vacant places. The 2007 Points Awards were presented by Karen Whittington and the majority of prize winners were present to collect their rosettes and trophies. A full list of the results is available on the website. The evening finished off with a Fish and Chip/Sausage and Chip Supper and this proved very popular.

Enclosed is a programme of events for the first half of the season.   There may be changes or additions and these will be advertised in the Livestock Column of the County Press and posted on the website.   As has been mentioned above, and numerous times in the past, we always need extra help to put on these events.   If you are able to help at any time, setting up for shows, clearing away afterwards, stewarding and helping on the day, collecting judges from ferries, etc. please contact the Committee member whose name is shown as contact for the event.   We give vouchers whereby free entry is given for a class whenever help is given.
Also if you collect judges your petrol will be paid.

Regarding cups and trophies, these are often not returned on time and recently a number of these have gone missing.   In future a letter will be sent out to cup holders one month before they have to be returned.  This will give time for engraving if not already done.   They should then be returned to Keith Whitehurst one week before the event clean and ready to present at the appropriate show.   Failure to do this will mean that you will not be permitted to hold any cups or trophies for a period of one year.

Score cards are available for the Gillian Ellis Performance Trophy at no cost.   These are for registered Mountain & Moorland ponies only and points can be gained from all events on the Island the mainland, not just events run by the Society.   These cards will be available at the shows.   Very few have been returned in the last few years and it is hoped that more of you will take part this year.

There is a Charity Spider Ride on 30th March in aid of Redwings and Cancer Research.   This is being organised by Emma Yates and Emily Middleton (contact Emma on 730471 if you would like more details).   Both are very worthwhile charities and it hoped that our members will feel able to support this event.

It may seem rather early to think about Christmas, but if any of you are interested in going to Olympia this year please let me know asap.   This is always a brilliant day out and really puts you in the spirit of Christmas.  We like to give members priority and in recent years a number of you have been disappointed as the trip is always over-subscribed.   At the moment I do not have the date but it usually falls in the week leading up to Christmas.

If you have any queries or ideas for future events that we have not thought about, please feel free to contact myself or any of the other Committee members.  

That is all the news for now but please keep watching the Livestock Column in the County Press and the website for updates.

Rosemary Edwards
Secretary