Change of address
WOULD all Show Managers and Cat Club Membership Secretaries please be advised of our change of address as from Tuesday, 17 May.
The Capricciosa Cat-Clan is now based at an old bungalow in a lovely location with lots of cat space, also lots of DIY to be done!!
The address is Villa Capricciosa, 21a Hillside Rise, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1NH. We are taking the same telephone number with us to the new address.
Peter & Babs Bailey and all the Capricciosa Cat-Clan
Imperial Classes
AS A Show Manager, I am in the process of booking judges for our next show. I cannot understand the reasoning behind the Imperial Classes.
Persians, Semi Longhair, British, Foreign and Burmese have their own Imperial Classes. But, when it comes to Oriental & Siamese, they have a JOINT Imperial Class. Now in my estimation, there are only about EIGHT judges in the country that can do this Imperial Class.
Also, taking into consideration that there is a cat show on almost every Saturday in the calendar year, these EIGHT judges will be like gold dust.
Now to become an Imperial Grand you need FIVE different judges. As judges are not allowed to judge the same class within three months either side of a show or within 100 miles, therefore no Oriental or Siamese cat will be made up, unless exhibitors are prepared to travel the length and breadth of the country, including Ireland and Jersey.
I would appreciate your comments. E-mail shungshu@tesco.net
Anne Stephens, Kernow CC Show Manager
Colour split at shows
I WOULD like to raise a few questions about colour splits at shows...
1. When are rules for the ‘sake of rules’ and not for the benefit of successful shows?
2. How many shows would benefit from a split of colour?
3. Why do GCCF refuse colour split?
4. How many entries is enough?
5. Who does a colour split hurt?
6. Why can’t Show Managers decide which classes they wish to offer?
7. How many existing shows with colour splits would be viable if this was reduced to 1 Open Adult M/F and 1 Open Neuter M/F?
8. Even shows with colour splits would surely benefit from a further split for Tabby and Tortie groups?
9. Why do the GCCF insist on applying limitations and putting obstacles in the way of show entries?
Not to have a split for Colour/Colour Classes for each group at their own breed shows
1. Harms the promotion for small breeds
2. Makes attracting entries almost impossible
3. Makes it difficult to have a showcase for the breed
4. Causes a lack of interest for exhibitors
5. Is the death knell of all small breed shows.
Changing these rules would mean (depending on breed), approximately 8 Open Classes plus 5 Tortie and 5 Tabby, extra classes. We can find no reason to substantiate this rule. Open Classes, like the Miscellaneous Classes, should be at the discretion of the Show Manager.
Judges will only award Certificates to exhibits that merit them.
Why do numbers matter? If we offer the opportunity for exhibitors to enter?
How many in each class (whether the class is entered or not) should not be relevant.
This situation is totally frustrating for both Show Managers and exhibitors alike.
The GCCF exists to protect and promote the welfare of our feline friends, not to be obstructive.
What do others think?
‘Concerned’
Manchester & District CC Show - what a success!
ON Saturday, 7 May 2005, I attended Manchester & District Cat Club’s first Championship Show after exhibiting at two previous Sanction Shows in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
This year’s show had the maximum entry of over 400 cats and I believe that some entries were returned because the hall capacity was reached.
Having been an exhibitor for nearly 30 years, I felt I must write and say how well I thought this show went. One thing did stand out straight away - EQUALITY - the HPs were awarded exactly the same as the pedigrees. HPs were awarded ‘Best of Colour’ rosettes and these were identical to the pedigree Best of Breed rosettes. Entry fees were very reasonable for members.
I particularly liked the idea of individual section catalogues. You paid £1.50 for one section and two sections amounted to £2.50. I only needed the HP and British sections, so it cost me almost half of what I would have normally paid for a full catalogue.
The Household Pet Section selection of classes was tremendous - with possibly one of the best ever split of Open classes I have seen. In addition to all Open classes being split male and female, there were also ‘Super Pet’ classes for HPs who had gained at least three Best in Show awards. A lot of thought had obviously gone into shaping up this Section. Master Cat Certificates were also awarded, and I was thrilled that each of my four HPs was awarded a certificate. There was also a special gift of a mug for each exhibitor to mark the Club’s promotion to Championship Status, which I thought was a lovely memento.
The large Trafford Centre was only about a ten minute walk from the Leisure Centre, so exhibitors could look round the wide range of shops if they so wished.
The Best in Show cats were placed in their special pens between 3.30 and 4pm and the show closed at approximately 4.30pm.
The Show Manager and Committee are to be congratulated on an excellent first Championship Show. To exhibitors I would say - this Club is one to watch - its shows give excellent value for money and with one successful Championship Show under its belt, I think it will go from strength to strength. I, for one, will be back to support the Club next year.
Pat Kidd, Kresta British Shorthairs
FIP research - funding needed
Dru Milligan, President of the *Orion Foundation has sent the following letter to OUR CATS...
I AM pleased to announce that the “Ring” raffle sponsored by the Orion Foundation is finally up and going. The funds will go to the Winn Foundation and be earmarked for FIP research. Raffle tickets are $5.00 each. The draw will be held at the CFA Annual Meeting held in Atlantic City in June (16th-19th).
There is a picture of the prize (a fabulous dress ring) on the Orion website - see http://www.orion foundation.com. The ring is appraised at $2,200 and is a 14+ carat blue topaz flanked on either side by diamonds. Tickets are available to UK residents via PayPal or by sending a cheque (made out to the Winn Foundation) to Dru Milligan, 1809 N. O’Connor Road, Irving, TX 75061 - please contact Drucilla M@aol.com to arrange this. Please support this raffle and the Winn Foundation’s research into FIP.
Together we can make a difference!
* The Orion Foundation is a group of cat owners and breeders who are trying to raise awareness of FIP and also raise funds for research.
HELP!! - Burmese in crisis
A REVISION of the Burmese SOP is due to go before the GCCF Council Meeting on 22 June for ratification.
The current SOP states: “Slight tabby markings may be found on the face” of Red & Cream Burmese. This has been removed from the revised SOP.
Having consulted some of the “senior” breeders of these colours and experts on genetics, we have been advised that it is GENETICALLY IMPOSSIBLE for these tabby markings to be eliminated. That being so it is vital that the SOP should not be changed in this respect.
We need your help. It is NOT too late to stop this!!
Please telephone me on 01823 490659 or (preferably) e-mail me at anna.hobberdy@dsl.pipex. com and I will let you know what you can do to help.
P.S. If you are a breeder or exhibitor of Red and Cream cats of ANY breed, you will be aware of the impossibility of breeding cats without these facial marks. Please feel free to help the Burmese retain its current SOP, irrespective of what breed you keep.
Anna Virtue, Hobberdy Burmese
Change of e-mail address
WOULD people in the Cat Fancy please note my new e-mail address.
Closing down is lizinwales@tesco.net which is being replaced with cloudfallinwales@tesco.net
My address is Cloudfall Cottage, 5 Kelston Court Gwespyr, Nr Holywell, Flintshire CH8 9LN. Telephone 01745 856448/Mobile 07769 862357.
Liz Mills, ‘Cloudfall’
