What a diff’rence a day
makes!
Twenty four little
hours - brought the sun and no showers - where it could have been rain - that’s
the diff’rence a day makes.
In previous years,
we’ve had this big problem of trying to take our eyes from the clouds in the
sky; forever wondering if the rain would come to spoil the Fun Day. This year
our thoughts were more concerned as to whether or not it would get too hot for
the dogs: yet, the only bad effect from the heat of the day was the one of
falling sales of hot food and drinks but - surprisingly? - the ice cream was in
popular demand.
Yet, we still found
our eyes wandering to the sky - for the Red Kites can be very distracting, when
in the clear, blue of the sky; they give such a beautiful exhibition of their
flying skills and make it appear all so effortless.
|
Red Kite |
Another table for a Stall |
Early morning and the first stalls are up |
The morning got
off to an excellent start; for Mick appeared to have more helpers than usual to
assist in erecting the gazebos and stalls. Paul Brown appeared to be everywhere,
from helping with the gazebos, making up the rings, laying out the agility
course, to checking, fetching and erecting the tables for the stalls. It was so
good to see fresh faces, at work, alongside the regular helpers. All know how
unfortunate it is in having Pugwash the Pirate in our company and all are
ashamed at his despicable ways in relieving good, honest, folk from their money
and valuables. So imagine the shock and the dismay that filled our thoughts,
when we found that another pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow, had appeared on the
scene and was also intent on getting folk, by fraudulent means, to part with
their money.
|
Captain Jack Sparrow with Pugwash |
Ann Waugh – Face Painter |
Face painted |
I’ve heard tell of
how by the use of flattering words and then showing the victims a well-drawn
map of a South Seas island; Captain Jack sweet-talked them out of their money.
This was done by telling them of a great treasure being buried on the island
and he would share it with them, if they could guess the place where it was
buried. The rogue would have fled the country with his ill-gotten gains but for
having left the ship without his passport; his ill-gotten gains were
confiscated on the day and put into the collective proceeds of all the others,
who had worked hard and honestly at the Fun Day to raise money, for donating to
the Cairn Terrier Relief Fund.
It was good to
have our face painter back with us: Pugwash looked at his splendid best after
Ann had attended to his moustache and beard. The despicable scoundrel refused
to make payment; telling Ann that she should be grateful to him, as he had
allowed her to get the correct correlation of hand and eye before she painted
the faces of other clients. From the painted faces seen throughout the day; for
once, Pugwash had spoken the truth - alleluia!
|
Shoppers! |
Chris Soper on the Fun Day’s own stall |
Hot Potatoes! |
A week previous,
it had appeared that there would be a lack of stalls but on the day, we had
five stalls selling a variety of goods, mostly Cairn or dog orientated; plus
the bottle stall which is very popular to those who like to take a the risk of
a gamble; but most surprisingly, as it was run by Captain Jack Sparrow a
pirate, the ‘Find the Treasure’ stand was very popular. Both the hot food and
light refreshment stands were serving good food and drinks at very reasonable
prices; staffed by the usual ones, who spend their day behind the counters and
miss out on the day’s activities.
The South Wales
& West of England CTC had once again offered to do a grooming demonstration
but on the day decided that they would have a table in continuous use to
individually show and advise on those bringing their own Cairn to be
demonstrated on. I’m still waiting for feed back from the pet owners, on how
this went down. The ones running the ‘Grooming Advice Table’ were themselves
very happy; it had allowed them to answer questions and demonstrate the way of
grooming areas, that much easier than with a general demonstration, due to
having the dog on the table and the owner being alongside them.
|
Yellow Brick Road Cafe |
Grooming advice being given |
Need for gentle coaxing |
The Agility Course seemed to have a steady flow of dogs going over it
throughout the day. Wendy took great care that inexperienced dogs were closely
supervised, especially on the seesaw and climbing frame, as it is better for
the dogs to gain enjoyment from the course, rather than find it to have been a
bad experience for them.
The Wacky Races
were even more popular then ever before and Julia could have found more heats
for the dogs which were disappointed in not getting a chase after the
attractive lure. She has asked for a little more time in future to avoid having
to disappoint owners, who are keen to have their dogs involved - and we have
agreed to this - well, it is a Fun Day - and we cannot have people and dogs
missing out on the fun.
Julia enjoys the
fun of the day herself and provides the equipment, the rosettes, certificates,
etc. from out of her own pocket, simply because - and Julia is a whippet person
- she feels that the Cairn Fun Day provides her with one of the best day’s
enjoyment that she can get in the year. Who are we to argue against that point.
|
Preparing the line for Wacky Races |
The Judges Iain & Cameron Shaw |
Elaine Shaw – A happy onlooker |
Must mention our
appreciation for Mark Lifton allowing us to press-gang him into being the
Master of Ceremonies for the day.. Mandy Davey, who has carried out this
position for the past two years, had a back problem and not having a telephone
number for us at the Jubilee Hall, was unable to let us know that she couldn’t
be with us. At 11.00 am, we turned to Mark and though being responsible to
helping his wife with their two young children and a stall, he came forward and
did an excellent job as MC; for this we are all very grateful.
Our judges for the
day, Iain Shaw and his son, Cameron, had made a long journey down from Scotland
and they were very surprised to find our Fun Day to be a larger event than
expected. It is common knowledge, or so he told me, that Iain will take a bung;
be it in pounds, dollars, rupees or any other currency. But almost as famous as
Iain is another Scot - Robbie Burns – who wrote “The best plans of men and
mice often go awry”. And so did Iain’s; as Cameron appeared to make all the
important decisions, when it came to placing..
|
. Fancy Dress Challenge – Between the
under 11’s & Over 11’s |
The other ten
Novelty Classes were very well supported - the judges had been warned of the
entry being larger than that at some Championship Shows, and so they had a busy
afternoon. The general onlookers appreciated their placing for some good
applause was forthcoming on the making their decisions.
Then at the end of
the day, a lady came telling of her wish to help on Fun Day 2010 and asked if
she volunteered her service - would it be accepted? Extra hands are always
welcome and these are certainly needed. This surprise offer certainly brought
the day to an extremely good endingWas there another good ending to the day?
Well considering the sponsorship of Pugwash was down on that of past years,
along with the takings for hot food and refreshments - the day was very
successful.
Chris Roberts the
Secretary of the Cairn Terrier Relief Fund was very happy to learn that a
donation of £1400 would be sent from the proceeds of Fun Day 2009 and reassured
me on how welcome this was in assisting in meeting veterinary charges for those
dogs with health problems they had rescued and re-homed.
My
grateful appreciation goes to each and every helper for without your
assistance, there would be no Fun Day. A big thank-you goes to those who
sponsored Pugwash, he was successful in his appointed task of shooting an apple
off his grandson’s head with an arrow shot from a bow. Another big one also
goes to those who have made donations.
Graham
Peers
NOTE FOR YOUR DIARY
.
CAIRN FUN DAY 2010
is to be held on
SATURDAY, 10th JULY at LEWKNOR, OXON
.
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