National Cat Club show date and venue
You may recall I wrote in our cats last year about GCCF granting licences to shows surrounding the National and pleading for support if the National was to survive. Unfortunately, after suffering financial losses over the past few years the Committee could not warrant having another show at Olympia and losing yet more money - something had to change.
I approached Bracknell Sports and Leisure Centre who could only offer 29th November and with the Supreme being on 16th November I agreed to this date (remembering also a conversation between myself and Miss Julia May many years ago about shows clashing and her comment that council would never agree to the National and Supreme clashing as it would not be in our best interests). After I received confirmation from Council that 29th November has been agreed I started to invite judges and vets and also book and pay for hotel rooms in advance to secure an excellent rate.
I was absolutely furious and so upset on the morning of the GCCF Council meeting (20th February), when I was informed that the Supreme had changed their date and was NOW ONLY ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE NATIONAL and when I got home, also saw the new show date in OUR CATS under show dates. My first reaction was to change the date. However, due to the wonderful support I have received from stallholders, exhibitors and judges I have decided to go ahead with the National as planned on 29th November at Bracknell Sports and Leisure Centre.
Rosettes and Best in Show will be in the same format and we have been offered sponsorship from various sources, details of which will be in our schedule. We are so grateful to these people who want to see the National survive.
On a personal note, I am appalled at the way I found out about the Supreme date change and also in the manner that the GCCF have treated their heritage, and I know this is also the feelings of many others.
Carol Pike, Show Manager, National Cat Club
Looking to the future
If it is true that Seaview Publications have already threatened to sue GCCF should they fail to be awarded the “Official Journal” contract, how on earth can GCCF possibly expect to develop any sort of meaningful relationship with such a seemingly hostile company? The threat of litigation simply fuels acrimony and animosity, not exactly a basis upon which successful partnerships can blossom. It might be better to wave goodbye now, and try to rebuild bridges with OUR CATS, who have served the Cat Fancy so diligently, or failing that, I believe talks are in progress with another publishing company.
Another serious problem is the ongoing reduction in show entries and the loss of income for many clubs. There are obvious reasons for this decline; economic belt tightening, price of petrol, cost of entry fees, venue hire price, loss of sponsorship and stall holders, apathy, disillusionment, change of personal circumstances or defection to shows run by other organisations.
Is it not now time for the GCCF to be addressing the situation before it worsens?
Even though some of the reasons behind the declining numbers are clearly beyond GCCF’s influence, others are not. Should the GCCF not obtain the views, requirements and ideas from as many exhibitors/breeders as possible? What do people feel is needed to ensure a viable and exciting future for the UK Cat Fancy? Mailshot a questionnaire directly to members' homes, place a questionnaire on the website, insert another into the Official Journal, but above all get communicating!
Place the subject on the Agenda at Council meetings and seek the opinion of Club Committee members. The best ideas that are put forward could then become part of GCCF objectives, with strategies introduced to ensure effective implementation. This would also enhance the image and reputation of GCCF in people’s eyes, being seen to be proactive and in touch with the people at the grass roots of the Fancy.
I am no financial expert but it does appear that some shows could disappear unless their financial situation improves.
Could GCCF provide advice, if asked, to Clubs on such issues as how to squeeze out costs, the need to question expenditure or the need to negotiate for better prices? Negotiations can and do save an awful lot of money. No doubt some Clubs and shows are extremely effective in these areas but perhaps others might welcome advice in these areas? Would an exchange of ideas between show managers also help, or does this already occur?
Have GCCF ever considered running an annual dinner dance for Cat Club Members and their guests? It would be self funding via ticket prices and could become the social highlight of the year on the Cat Fancy calendar. It would be another way forward, producing closer links with everyone within the GCCF umbrella. The Birman Cat Club have run a splendid dinner dance for the past eight years with an average attendance of more than 70. I imagine a well organised and well publicised GCCF event would prove a sellout. Just a thought.
I hope my views are seen as constructive, they are certainly meant to be. Meanwhile, I ought to just point out that my wife, who is a GCCF judge, does not necessarily share my opinions!!
John Culf, Life Member, The Birman Cat Club
Perhaps there is a cunning plan...
As a friend of a delegate to the GCCF, I have had some feedback on the Council meeting of last week; it was also a hot topic of conversation at the Coventry and Leicester show recently. The thoughts that immediately strike me, and a number of others I talked to, are all to do with failure to sort out inebriation in buildings that make beer!
If this was a soap opera on TV, people would not take it seriously, yet here we have our governing body imploding, with accusations flying, people droning on throughout the meeting, the room being cleared of observers, talk of being sued, statements being read, one magazine openly flaunted at the front of the hall.
It beggars belief that any final decision will be fair, rational and based on sound business principles.
As my friend is a well known delegate, I have asked the Editor not to reveal my name and address, but fervently hope that all this is settled, and that the GCCF can move on in a positive way.
I still like OUR CATS and am still at a loss why the Executive seems (seemed?) hell bent on getting rid of it! Is there ANY guarantee that anyone who may take over the mantle of official journal would do any better?
Perhaps they are like Baldric in Black Adder, and they have a cunning plan...
Name and address supplied
Booby prize
I always buy Raffle Tickets to support Cat Shows and other events. I allow myself to spend £5. I also ALWAYS donate a prize, if I show my cat.
Having been so generous it is very disappointing to win prizes that are not new. Just recently I won paperback books more suited to a Jumble Sale than as prestigious prizes at a cat show. Not only did they have well-scuffed, line marked shiny covers, one even had a mug ring on it! The pages were well turned and coloured at the edges. There were pencil markings on one page of one book and the flyleaf was written upon, on another.
I know people find it difficult to keep finding items to offer as prizes, but a variety of special offers from shops can supply for most occasions when a Raffle Prize is requested. Even a set of four NEW soaps is preferable to second-hand used items.
Also I know it would difficult to refuse an offer of a ‘not so new’ item, but these should not, at any time, be offered as prizes in a raffle.
Mrs P. A. Rudkin
