Manchester Terrier 15/11/2020

Well, dark nights, lockdown, urghh…. It’s a good job that technology has improved over the years and we are able to have daily contact with our friends and family, through varying types of communication platforms. Talking and seeing other, been able to chat for hours on end, without a cost, apart from your monthly wifi costs. This has to be the way forward for quite a few things. I am sure that these will become more the norm for Committee meetings, why travel hundreds of miles, when you can log in and have an input from anywhere in the world.

At the last BMTC AGM, it was voted that postal votes should also be accepted, in addition to those people who are there in person. It is not always possible for people to attend on a particular day time, due to work, holidays, etc, I am sure that these platforms can be used to achieve the successful running of an AGM, thus allowing more members to express their views. These have become the norm for me through work and also several successful Dog Show / KC meetings, with large attendances. It will also provide a welcomed cost serving for members and the club.

Facebook this week seems to be alight through all breeds about the cost of puppies at the present time. I have noticed another surge in requests, since we went back into lockdown, in what usually is a quieter period. In most breeds, ‘KC’ breeders are attempting to keep prices down, as prices around us reach unbelievable heights, with people willing to pay thousands for puppies. Unfortunately I don’t know what the answer is, supply and demand I am afraid.

Also noted quite a few posts around club memberships through various breeds. Some actually advising the members that they will get a free years membership (one of these is one of the 3 bedlington terrier clubs, I am a member of) , so a generous gesture, for a club I know it is not the wealthiest, however they acknowledge that they have been unable to bring their members their expected benefits . Others asking for full membership and been questioned why? Maybe a reduced membership is a middle of the road option, or some perks when things hopefully get back to normal ? Of course clubs still have a few running costs, with officials honorary , printing and phone calls to mention a few.

Think that Lockdown brings all the irresponsible dog walkers out as well. You never see them usually. Only this morning, whilst walking down a pavement, I noticed an elderly lady walking towards me with 2 dogs, I had 3 manchesters, chomping at the bit because we were only 100 yards into our walk. I ensured, I had a good grip on the lead as the lady got closer, as their was no passing point. As she came nearer I noted she had a very noisy Yorkshire terrier on a flexi lead and a spaniel on a conventional lead. I fully expected her to pull the flexi lead in, but no… so as the dog came running in the manchesters took offence, the yorkie ran into the road, the woman screamed and luckily, no car was passing, 3 seconds earlier it would have been fatal. She did not take my comments willingly.

A year ago, it was Midland Counties Champ Show, no CCs on offer, but a decent turnout of 18 dogs for judge Antony Arundel. Feels like a decade ago !

BD & BOB. TALANORS TIME FOR MAGIC (MRS D BARLOW). RBD, CH TALANORS DIAMONDS N' DREAMS AVEC JANMARK JW SHCM (MR M & MRS J WALSHAW). BB. CH JANMARK BACK T'BLACK (MR M & MRS J WALSHAW). RBB, CH MARLABLUE IN A TWIRL SHCM (MISS B R CAWLEY). BP. MARLABLUE MCQUEEN (MISS W & MS E HELLER & HOUSE).

A snippet from the breed notes from 10 years ago … At the Yorkshire Sporting Terrier Open show under judge Ann Bradley Stuart Carol`s bitch Ch Calastoa Ruby Tuesday went BOB and then under Peter Bakewell she went on to BIS 4. Estella, Phil and Bobby`s Egloshayle Sea Sprite at Rattustrap went BPIB, well done folks. Terry and Delia had a super time in the AVT classes in AVTV Tetani Princess of Darkness was 2nd, in AVTO T. Spirit Vision was 1st, AVTLimit T Spirit of the Wind was 1st, and T. Wizard of Dreams was 2nd in AVTP, 2nd in AVT 2nd, 1st in AVTPG, and finally 2nd in AVTO, well done there. At the Torquay Open show under judge Mr A Salmon David and Janet`s bitch Egloshayle Black Rosewyn ShCM went BOB and then TGrp 4 and E. Sea Lily was BPIB and then TPGrp 2, well done. (writer. C Dunford).

And from 15 years ago ….I did not go to the Midland Counties show October being the - in season - month so sadly I missed seeing Brenda Banbury giving Mick Oxley’s dog Digelsa Dark Destroyer his 3rd ticket and BOB. Many congratulations to Mick, Gill and Stacey. The Res CC went to the Green`s Ch Egloshayle Black Falcon. Congratulations too to the Palmers who swept the board on the bitch side with a first CC for Quixol Misty Ivy at E. after 6 Res CCs, and then the Res CC with home-bred E. Black Samphire. (C Dunfor).

Please get in touch and send any info to myself on the breed or dog talk in general, don’t be afraid to mail me with your personal stories, think everyone likes to listen to doggy chat, whilst we remain in these more confining times.

I am readily contactable with your news by any of the following means:

Facebook / Email: mwalshaw.janmark@gmail.com / telephone: 01287 652860 / face to face at all Champ shows.

Mark Walshaw JANMARK