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Saturday, 25^th June, 2005 was the day that the car park at St Leonard’s Church at Watlington, in Oxfordshire, was full to capacity, and the grounds around it, teeming with a beautiful sight of people in their colourful summer wear, walking their dogs through the tented area on the grass.

Now in its third year, the previous two Fun Days had been successfully organised without suffering any problems. But they do say that trouble comes in threes, that was to be proved correct, yet it was nearly four. Luck was still with us and thankfully, all the disappointments did happen on the Friday. Whilst Saturday started dampish, as the day passed, it just got better and better; not too hot, but just about right for both people and dogs.

The largest cheer of the day was on my arrival; late, 20 minutes after the agreed time of 9.00 am; the willing workers were held up by my having the three required gazebos in the car and they were waiting to erect them. So keen were Carol and Sharon Confue to do breakfast for the workers, that they had started cooking and continued, whilst their gazebo was built and then put around them. White Rabbit, Anthony Osborn, can be recognised in the photograph by his white tail, but he was up much too early to have fitted his ears on.

Workers at work in the early morning

Sharon & Carol preparing breakfast for the workers

Ann Waugh preparing the face of our Master of Ceremonies – The White Rabbit (Anthony Osborn)

Who called our show manager (David Turnbull) A Clown?

 A Tiger to frighten the Cairns

Jenny in full control during her demonstration round

Agility was the the opening event of the day; Here White Rabbit (MC) introduces Jenny Fairweather

The first event of the day, Jenny Fairweather and her Agility Demonstration: this went without any hitch and she soon had plenty of customers queuing to pay their money for the fun of taking their dogs over the course. The demonstration must have been good; I believe some living close to Bicester have arranged for future lessons with Jenny: this has left me wondering - are we entitled to a percentage of fees paid?

Does your Cairn drop whatever it has in its mouth at a command? You should be so lucky; ours would just bolt things down before we could get even close to removing it from the mouth. Well Wendy Laker gave an obedience demonstration to show how her Cairns from simple lessons have learnt to drop anything in the mouth; on a command. The onlookers at the ringside watched agog, but I wonder just how many will attempt to train their dogs? Yet how many worried owners have waited, in vet’s surgeries, to learn the result from their dog picking something up and swallowing it.

Interested audience at Wendy Lakers Obedience display 

For the third year running Julia Cloke and her friend Chris who, though whippet fanciers, came and spent their day supervising the ‘Wacky Races’. Julia had been bitten by a horsefly on the Thursday and had been pumped full of drugs and these made her sleepy. Chris hadn’t finished work until 1.00 am that morning and then had to travel home to grab a little sleep before loading the van and travelling 60 miles to be with us. As the races are so full of excitement and loved by all, the day would have been more than a little flat without them. Julia, herself, so looks forward to the day that she brings her own prizes to give to the winners.

Last year, I told of a owner who asked that her blind Cairn Terrier be allowed to race up the track guided by a whistling lure and encouragement from the top of the track; well, she turned up for her annual treat. Fortunately, we have a photograph of them both, taken at the starting line, and you can see from the body language that the dog is raring to run. Little things do mean a lot, and moments such as these; makes one very grateful that the idea of a Fun Day, to bring breeders and pet owners together for just one day in a year, came to fruition.

Julia Cloke giving instructions during the practice runs

The blind dog returns to the track for his annual race

Queuing for the races

Even we were surprised at the quality of gifts donated

The people just loved the few stalls, which had been set up to sell their wares to them. The quality was amazing for even on the bric-a-brac stall there was no rubbish. All donors have given the stall-holders decent stuff to sell. More amazing was on the Bran Tub, where two weeks earlier ‘the one in charge’ (better be nameless) had not gathered in even one prize: others must love her for they all dug very deep and the day’s takings were the envy of all. One doesn’t get much for a £1; yet you paid your money and took a chance – some won less than they paid but others had many times the value of the £1 they paid – all got a prize - and that is how a Bran Tub should be.

The KC frowns on double-handling - I don’t know what they would call this! Grannie (Doreen Shorter), and her grandchildren

The highlight of the day and one which has been in the minds of some for quite a while before the day; is the Fancy Dress event: for to be successful requires planning; much thought; and skill to no small quantity. A pity it was spoilt. Held in the hall, there were too many spectators surging forward that it became very difficult to distinguish the exhibitors from the spectators. The imagination of the designers all needed rewarding; from the Corps de Ballet, the Oxo dog; etc, to the winner Batman and the Superheroes. I only wished it had been possible to get more photographs to show you of the quality of the entrants: the one of the winner only came to be on my asking him to remain, whilst the others left the ring. Organisers, please make a note to stop a repeat of this in 2006.

Checkout this picture at bottom of page.

(Sorry gremlins!) 

1^st in Fancy Dress Dominic Hughes and his sidekicks Mum Lynda half of the supporting back-up team

Many good comments came on the food, both the teas and cakes; the cream scones and the strawberries and cream, they all sold well and though anxiety was expressed of them being too cheap for the value – it is better to sell out, than have them remaining at the end of the day. The nicest praise of the day was when approached by one lady visitor, who said “The baked potatoes and their fillings are superb; especially the curry: whatever else you do; you must hang onto your caterers for next year”. Wrong again; there I had been always thinking that it was men who had to be got around by filling their bellies!

Sharon The Cook, Carol the Waitress , Bill The Money taker for filled Baked Potatoes

Whilst the judges are deliberating, White Rabbit takes the opportunity to entertain by doing his ‘Bunny Hop’ dance

The day saw the highest number of dogs ever, since the Day’s inauguration, and as puppies from 4 months of age were allowed to be entered, quite a few breeders took the opportunity to bring their babies for an outing. All the classes attracted a good entry and though a light-hearted affair, all wished to do well with their pet. The approach by the judges to the novice exhibitors was more than excellent; maybe a little too familiar, for should an exhibitor expect to be asked for a kiss by the judge? Perhaps, Sharon doesn’t realise how embarrassing it is for a little boy to be kissed by a ‘girl’ – in public.

The Judges inspecting the Entries

It’s the “making up their minds” time for Sharon Confue and Bill Cammish, our judges on the day

Beau resting on being awarded Best Puppy Dog

Best Puppy In Show  - Beau is 17 weeks and it was first time in the ring for dog or handler

At this point, I take the time to tell of how grateful we are to Royal Canin on their sponsorship of the Day; the quality of their gifts was only matched by the quality of the day. All five places in each class were well rewarded and the judges did have a difficult time in making their selections but I have a feeling that after judging; they were secretly pleased at the opportunity having came their way, and of it providing them with more than a large degree of ‘job satisfaction’. Their Ring Steward was the ever tireless White Rabbit and trust that Angela allowed him a little longer than normal lie in bed on Sunday morning

Time for a rest

All involved should have left with a feeling of ‘job satisfaction’ from a job well done. It could be taken for granted of the day having been a success from the happy faces and the atmosphere around, throughout the day. There is no need to thank anyone in particular for all played their part towards the same end; a good Fun Day.

Many as usual will now be waiting with bated breath for the financial result on the day; how much did we raise?

Considering; entry was free; car parking was free; and with there being no charge to use the toilets facilities – it would seem; not a lot. But with thanks to all those who gave to the various stalls and to whom we are always eternally grateful; to those who gave the food and drinks for the refreshments, free; and to those who came in an official capacity – like to work - not expecting the usual lavish entertainment which most organisations arrange; there was a returning profit on the day.

From the proceeds of the day the Cairn Terrier Health Watch have been sent a cheque, without any attached conditions, and have been assured that our total donation to their funds would be one of a minimum of £1000.

Since thanks to all

Graham Peers

View from the car park

Wendy Laker- Biscuit Maker To The Dogs

Sudden freedom is known to have this effect, and Ann Weaver had just escaped from the Kitchen

A disappointed exhibitor setting her dog on the judges

1^st in Fancy Dress Dominic Hughes and his sidekicks Mum Lynda, half of the supporting back-up team