A WORTHWHILE DAY?

 

It’s depends on who is reviewing the day. To some it is not a day but a year. Yet, it is the result of just the one day that justifies whether the work and planning, they have done throughout the year, has all been worthwhile.

  Previously, some foolishly tried to dictate their views upon others and until then, I had always looked upon the day as being mainly about providing an enjoyable day to Cairn lovers and their dogs, not a fund-raising event. A day without the competitive edge one finds at a show or club event. Fortunately, the Fun Day has the support of all the Cairn Clubs but is still an independently run event. Now, I have accepted it to be both, knowing that it is still possible to provide an ideal day out for Cairn lovers and to raise money - as long as we are focused on organising a good Fun Day.

  My grateful thanks go to all the helpers; these willingly give their time and effort to the Day. Also to those who donate gifts and the prizes that go towards helping the day be successful. I can never overlook thanking those who sponsor Pugwash - many live in distant parts of the country and so find it is not possible to travel to Lewknor - not many try to avoid me when I have my begging hat on; most give generously; they rest assured knowing that their money goes to help the Cairn Terrier breed of dog.

Yes, all these kind people will find the day was a worthwhile one and their efforts have been fully rewarded by the very fact of Chris Roberts, Secretary to the Cairn Terrier Relief Fund, has been informed that a donation of £1400 will be with her shortly. This donation was offered and accepted, conditionally to being used in meeting veterinary fees for those dogs which have been rehomed even though bearing a lifetime’s health problem. We may never think of making a private donation but the Fun Day does bring us all together and so enables us to make a collective one.

  The day started late - we really could do with a few helpers first thing in the morning, to assist in erecting the gazebos and rings - and every event ran about half-a-hour behind schedule. Only a few complained but the day was organised and run successfully by Mandy Davey, the Mistress of Ceremonies. Mandy has had a little throat trouble and this wasn’t helped by the provided loudhailer only functioning, when it decided to do so.

  The bacon rolls, tea and coffee, soon appeared and quickly vanished in the hands of the grateful workers on receiving them. The early morning drizzling rain had ceased and so didn’t hinder or affect the work which needed doing.

 

  It was not a day for painters - Julie Snooks, the artist who sketches the dogs and Ann Waugh, who artistically paints peoples’ faces, were both absent. Ann’s bitch decided it was the time to start whelping, on seeing Ann all dressed and ready to leave the house. Another regular face which we missed seeing was that of Bill Cammish; each year he has been taking the money on the hot food stall, so as to enable the cook’s, Carol and Sharon, to do their work without handling ‘filthy’ money. Carolyn Lifton stepped in and offered to replace Bill, on this occasion.

  Derdrie Burnett was unable to be with us and we did miss both her and the stall. Fortunately, after missing the last two Fun Day’s, Chris Roberts came bringing with her the Relief Fund’s stall and at the end of the day, she was very pleased with the sales the stall had made.

  Wendy Laker quickly got the Agility course up and running and soon had many with their Cairns having a round of fun - well not all did it as it should be done; especially when it came to the large tunnel.

 

  Of great interest and joy to many are the Wacky Races. Julia Cloke and her friend, not only provides the equipment but also, she makes the award plaques and donates the rosettes given to the winners. Being a whippet fancier, Julia had to be away early as she was organising races for whippets on the Sunday. I believe that after the practice runs, ten heats of 4 dogs were run twice; plus the puppy runs; followed by the knockout races for the winners until the final two had a run-off for the Supreme Champion title.

 

  Came 11.00 am, this saw the entries for the Fancy Dress and Novelty Classes being taken by Marilyn Hawkins and Mark Lifton, while John Hawkins sold the Draw Tickets - with a £100 cash first prize and 10 other good prizes. The draw showed Sylvie Whittle as being the winner of the cash prize.

  Chris Grainger and Carol Woodward did a brisk business on the Bottle Stall but would have wished to have had the bottles given earlier at a show; many brought them on the day; this meant them fiddling around with sticking on the numbers and they would rather have liked to have numbered then prior to the show. 

 

  Anne Weaver and her daughter serving the light refreshments did rather well; there were free biscuits available throughout the day; and the cakes and pastries sold well. At the end of the day the takings were up on last year. It was a similar story on the hot food stall, where Carol ad Sharon Confue slaved over the proverbial hot stove cooking food for all. We are fortunate to be able to offer a choice of such good food throughout the day, to those attending our event.

 

  The Sopers were ideal models for the ‘Cairn Fun Day Supporter’ T-Shirts, even without having a catwalk to prance along. The table serving as a stall may have been low but they both stood tall; each wearing a different coloured t-shirt and proudly sticking out their chests to display their wares.

 

A Grooming Demonstration was given by the South Wales & West of England Cairn Terrier Club initially this had left me wondering as to how this could be fitted into the day’s events. My concern was unnecessary, for on speaking to some of the pet owners; found it met with their approval and had removed some of the mystery of coat trimming away; also, they had certainly learnt a little. If the SW&WoE CTC is willing, then it will be repeated in next year’s programme.

  It was Danny and Brenda’s first time visit to the Fun Day; they had a rough idea what to expect but as judges, neither expected the classes to be so full. They were pleasurably surprised with the originality shown in the Fancy Dress classes; delighted with the entries; and astonished at the good prizes to be awarded to their placings. Didn’t need any telling, it was so obvious to us all, of them having enjoyed their day; we thank them for accepting our invitation to be the judges.

  

  Supporters continued to arrive from the start of the day until late in the afternoon. The weather, once more, had been forecast to be wet and once again, we were fortunate that our event was blessed with fine weather. It was an excellent number of visitors and all appeared to enjoy the day, many stayed for the final event of the day - the one sponsored by the Pugwash followers.

  Pugwash, being the fine athlete that he is, promised to ‘Put the Shot’ over 22 feet and found supporters to sponsor his efforts - he didn’t let them or the watching crowd, down. It was as if it was an everyday task to him; Pugwash never even removed his hat, never mind his coat! Picking up the shot, and finding the correct balance, he hurled the shot, as if it had been a light ball, right over the heads of those whose feet came to 30 not the promised 22 feet. A first-aider was in attendance but none of those in the line-up suffered injury - the danger was to the onlookers who thought they were a safe distance away.

 

  On learning Amy Firth, the photographer, had ‘missed the shot’ by taking the picture after the shot had soared past those in the line-up; Pugwash was kind enough to do a repeat throw for her. All left knowing they had witnessed a supreme shot-putter in action and showed their appreciation by not demanding that Pugwash had to face the usual ‘Water Punishment’ treatment. The day was dry and so was Pugwash.

  Worthwhile! A dry day - £1500 donated to the Health & Welfare of the Cairn Terrier - an enjoyable day to both helpers and visitors, especially the four-legged ones - at the end of the day, no doubt was left in anyone’s mind, it had all been very well worthwhile. It is the efforts of the helpers, no matter how small their task, together with its supporters that collectively makes the Fun Day the success it is - all have my grateful thanks for without you there could not be a Fun Day.

   The position at this time is that we have been set a target of £1400 to beat in 2009, to achieve this we need a little more support in the way of helpers on the day, a few more stalls, and some fresh ideas - all are welcomed

            Finally - what’s next?

The Next Cairn Terrier Fun Day

 Is on

Saturday, 13th June, 2009 at the Lewknor Memorial Hall

  

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