09 November 2018

Midland Counties celebrated their 43rd Championship Show and they do really have a reputation as a society for the show that gives back to the exhibitor. Entries were £22 per dog, this being the eighth year there has been no increased fees. Free car parking, and £20 awarded to every Best Puppy in Breed, all subsequent entries including the Stakes Classes just £3 and the catalogue was just £5. So hats of to the committee for leading the way and giving something back to the exhibitor. These days the cost of just travelling to a show has increased and that is before you even contemplate the increased entries fees over the years. So a personal thanks to the committee of Midland Counties.

Unfortunately we were unable to attend this year but I am sure the show as usual ran like a well oiled clock.

This year the Papillon judge was Mr Michael Forte from the Republic of Ireland, the TGP judge Mr Tom Mather and BIS Mr Steve Hall. Great celebrations in the Papillon camp as Sophie Langdon’s little girl Shadowknight Ebony Rose of Skyvana gained her third cc after being pipped at the post with a number of RBCC. Congratulations Sophie, I am delighted for you. Mrs A Broughton and Sue Stanbury took a first cc with Inixia Follower Of Fashion, so they must have been thrilled too. Best puppy was Jane Thompson and Sandra Austin’s Melangel Highland By Design At Jhanakia, congratulations also to the breeder Melanie Mann. Awards for the RCC’s; for the dog it was Kirsty Miller and Evan Ryan’s homebred Ch Feorlig Smarty Pants JW SHcm and the RBCC Caroline Lee Slater’s Ch Jorgealin Cast A Spell For Kingshaven, congratulations to the breeder Lynn George Evans.

With Crufts in the not too distant here is information for the breed days are: Thursday, 7th March 2019 — Gundog, Friday, 8th March 2019 — Working and Pastoral, Saturday, 9th March 2019 — Terrier and Hound and Sunday, 10th March 2019 — Utility and Toy. The first entry per dog is£30.00 per dog, catalogues are £6.50 each. Extra adult passes are £14.00 and extra child passes (9 – 15 years) are £10.00, If you require extra Senior Citizen or other Concession Passes they are£10.00. Car Park and Disabled Car Park fee with entry is £11.00 (not Drop-off). Drop-off Car Park is £15.00 per day you must state days required. Car park fee on the day is £16.

This is an important notice for all exhibitors attending Crufts to read. EXHIBITORS TRAVELLING TO CRUFTS BY CAR • PLEASE READ CAREFULLY • PLEASE NOTE THE WEST CAR PARK IS NO LONGER PART OF THE NEC SITE SO WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR PARKING AT CRUFTS 2019 The following arrangements have been made in consultation with the NEC who control all vehicle movement and parking at the venue: DISABLED BADGE HOLDERS The NEC charges for all parking including disabled badge holders. The charge if paid in advance on the entry form is £11.00 and the charge if paid on the day is £16.00. Please note the pass is only valid if used alongside the official disabled badge. When you arrive on site at the NEC please follow the signs directing you to the disabled badge holder car parks. There is a very limited number of spaces adjacent to hall 5 (less than previous years due to a hotel redevelopment in this area of site) and the space will be allocated on a first come first served basis and will fill very early. Once this area is full disabled badge holders are then directed to the South car parks or the most appropriate area – please follow NEC signage. A shuttle bus is provided for disabled visitors from these car parks to the NEC main Piazza entrance where there are dog entrance doors into halls 1 and 5. At the end of the day a return service will take you back to these car parks. The NEC shuttles have good accessibility but may not be able to accommodate certain cages and trolleys due to their size. EXHIBITORS WHO ARE ACCOMPANIED BY A HELPER Dog Exhibitor drop off will differ this year due to the hotel redevelopment opposite hall 5. It will be conducted in the roadway outside hall 1 and hall 5 and will be strictly restricted to between the hours of 0600 and 0800 each morning on production of a drop off pass. These vehicles should enter site on the Resorts World side of the NEC following signs to Gate 2. They will then be directed into S3 car park into a queueing situation and let down to the inner area when space is available and it is safe to proceed. Access will be monitored and controlled by the NEC Traffic team and no more than 10 minutes will be permitted for each drop off. It should be noted that any vehicle exceeding this time will be at risk of being removed by the tow vehicle. There will be no dropping off in the car park opposite hall 5 as there has been in previous years. Once exhibitors have completed their drop off, they will leave site via Gate 1 (hall 5 side of site) and park their vehicle in one of the car parks noting that East car parks are the nearest. Exhibitors requiring this facility should complete payment on the entry form noting the passes are limited and issued on a first come, first served basis and will be despatched with the entry passes prior to the show. The charge to use this facility will be £15.00 per day including parking fee. PLEASE BE AWARE THERE IS NO PICK UP FACILITY. EXHIBITORS WHO ARE NOT ACCOMPANIED. All other dog exhibitors including those who are unaccompanied will be directed to park in either South or East car parks (NOTING THERE IS NO WEST CAR PARK). Shuttle buses run from South and East car parks all day which take dogs, however, additional coaches bought into supplement the NEC fleet may not be able to transport dogs. Car parking tickets can be ordered when entering your dog at a special rate of £11.00 which will be despatched with passes. The price if paid on the day is £16.00. ENTRANCES FOR DOG EXHIBITORS Will be via doors 1.1, 1.2, 3.1 (those arriving from Birmingham International railway station or airport), 4.1 (coach drop off only).

It is a lot to digest and please remember when entering to complete the car park box. An extra £5 is a lot to pay.

Well now that you have your homework for the next few weeks, good luck at your shows and remember to let me have your news. Next week we will take a trip to Northern & Eastern Counties Papillon Club for the joint show. One hundred per cent commitment has been put in by the committee and the clubs secretary Wendy Walters to make this the best breed show of the year for the exhibitor. All will be revealed next week. Until then I wish you happy successful showing.

IRENE ROBB