Friday 29 January 2010
THE NEW year hasn’t got off to a very good start for some of us – Hazel Bradford for one and Elaine Baldwin for another. Hazel has had to take some very pressing family problems on board – the death of a close relative of her husband and then Martin himself has had to go into hospital.
Elaine, who has been caring for her father for the past three years, let me know he died in the early hours of Jan 15. He was well into his 90s and had been very ill for a long time. While this has greatly saddened Elaine, it must be construed as a blessing for the old gentleman and a release for Elaine and Roy who have cared for him under very difficult circumstances for so long.
It was because of all the pressure on her at home that Elaine was forced to take leave of absence from her seat on the committee. Elaine was a diligent and hard-working committee member who has been greatly missed, although she has continued to contribute greatly to our Welfare and Rehoming Scheme.
I very much hope that those of you who have been affected by the appalling and treacherous road conditions, brought about by the dreadful weather since before Christmas, are now experiencing some respite and are able to at least make that not-to-be-missed weekly trip to the supermarket!
We in Kent have been badly hit by the weather but, as is always the case, other areas have been hit far worse. Ann Maughan, up in the frozen north, has been submerged beneath mountains of snow, but she tells me that she can now see out of her windows.
By the time you read this, Manchester will have been and gone. I hope that, despite everything, the stalwarts of the show scene will continue to support the breed and keep us in the thick of things. The entries for Manchester – 18 dogs for Alan Davies to go over – is not good and I hope that things will improve greatly.
Next stop Crufts where Roger Crooks will be judging.
BERYL KAY, 01732 222248, wfta2uk@ymail.com