newsletter february 2015 · long reining fun day stourport rs march 29 . ihdt nat champs keysoe...

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www.wolverleydriving.co.uk 1

Newsletter February 2015

From The Chair Dear all,

As I write this I feel spring is definitely on its way! The evenings are getting lighter and whilst there is still a nip in the air, for those of us who have not kept our ponies and horses going through winter, it is time to get on with the fitness programme (in my case ponies and owner!).

We had a lovely Annual Dinner in January and it was great to catch up with colleagues. Major Laura Holmes was very inspiring and gave us a different perspective as animal owners through her talk about being a vet and soldier in war zones. She has kindly offered to give a further talk in March. Well done to all whips and grooms for their achievements over the last season and a special thank you to all our stewards, helpers and committee members who make it possible.

Taking on board the feedback you gave us at the AGM I think we have responded well with a varied diary of events to suit all needs and wants, and also thanks to club members who have agreed to help organise them. We will be asking for further volunteers for some of the events so look out for calls/emails for help. We specifically need to know asap who will be attending Spring Camp in May so we can start planning and also offer up any spare places to non Wolverley members. Reflecting the feedback the whole camp will be coaching and practice with no competition element and will cater for all levels, shapes and sizes - we have also ordered good weather!

We have also been trying to source venues closer to the M5 to cater for members who live further away and to the south of the district and also to ensure we don't outstay our welcome at the venues which are so generously offered to us by supporters of the club. We believe we have two new venues - one being the Shed just outside Stourport. Their land should be available to us from August onwards and potentially offers facilities for cones, dressage and a short obstacle course. The other (subject to confirmation) is near Holt Heath - we will keep you posted on both.

We have also managed to get WDDC members a 10% discount at Equestrian & Country Feeds Ltd, Top Barn Business Centre, Holt Heath (01905 621300) - Linda is sorting out membership cards for all members. If any other members are able to negotiate similar deals with suppliers then please let us know and we will pass on the information. As they say in times of economic challenge "every little helps!". Also let us know if you need more Club cards to distribute.

On behalf of the Club Committee I wish you all the very best for the season ahead and meeting up with you at the different events. Now where did I put those long reins and my trainers? Giselle.

http://www.wolverleydriving.co.uk/

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Please contact someone if you have a point to raise or a contribution to make.

WHATS ON IN 2015 KEY: WDDC organized event - Other events - Event under consideration Event Where Date BDS Hereford skills training day Monnington Court March 15 Vet talk by vet Laura Holmes Wolverley Church Hall March 20 Long reining fun day Stourport RS March 29 IHDT Nat Champs Keysoe April 3-5 BDS Hereford Rally Monnington April 6 Midland Carriagedriving trial Catton April 18/19 Wyre Forest Drive Wyre Forest Apr 25 Midland Carriagedriving trial Tutbury May 2/3 BDS Hereford show practice Kings EC, Bromyard May 3 BC National Trial Catton Hall May 8-10 Spring Camp Lincomb EC May 15/17 Blossom Rally Wichenford May 30 Three Counties Show Malvern June 12-14 Midland Carriagedriving trial Belvoir Castle June 13/14 Indoor/Outdoor mini trial Enville Hall June 20 BDS Hereford midsummer day rally Kay Walton’s June 21 BC National Trial Sandringham June 26-28 Carriages at the Castle Picton Castle June 27-28 Drive (with cones) Charlcotte Farm July 4 BC National Trial Catton Hall July 10-12 KC Show / driving classes Leominster July 12 Indoor/Outdoor mini trial Top Barn/The Shed? July 19 BDS Hereford rally Burton Court July 19 Midland Carriagedriving trial Onley July 25/26 Shropshire Driving Days Brampton Bryan July 25-29 BC National Trial Raehills Aug 1-2 Burwarton Show Burwarton Aug 6 BC National Trial Lowther Aug 14-16 Traditional Driving Fun Day Mount PleasentAug 16 BDS Hereford clipper rally Orleton Aug 16 Midland Carriagedriving trial Widmerpool Aug 22/23 BDS Hereford rally Begwyns Aug 31 Road Safety Test training? The Shed? Tba Carriage Dog Trial Lincomb EC Sept 5 BDS Hereford musical drive Monnington or Bromyard Sept 6 Victoria Foods Extravaganza Hand EC, Clevedon Sept 11-13 Midland Carriagedriving championships Catton Hall Sept 12/13 BC National Championships Cirencester Park Sept 18-20 Traditional Driving Fun Day Croft Castle Sept 27 Charlcotte ODE Charlcotte Farm Oct 4 or 11 Supper/natter with speaker The Shed Oct Poppy Drive Wyre Forest Oct Pony Club Achievers’ badge training Wheatland PC Annual General Meeting Wolverley Church Hall Nov Christmas walk Tba Dec 28? Annual Dinner/Presentation of Awards Tba Jan 2016


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Note: An offer has been received from Claudia Bunn to deliver training for Private Driving and putting a pair together Training for back-steppers has been requested.

www.newbertequine.com

Don’t forget – your committee members can be contacted on the following numbers.

Chair – Giselle Lockett - 01299 896280/07977205441

Secretary – Linda Sprosen - 01562 824350/07792778224

Treasurer – Sandra Phillips - 01299 250508/07899650111

Newsletter – Tony Edwards - 01886 832032/07516744734

Without Portfolio –

Carol Gregory - 01902 763209

Julie Wedgbury - 01746 789686/07773329653

Simon Mitchell - 07855 819597

Tony Gregory -01902 763209/07751309637

Judi Reeve - 01886 832032

Website – Non-Committee – Tony Cowles - 07831 106366

If you are unfamiliar with or require more club cards (see below) please contact Linda Sprosen or Giselle Lockett.


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ACTIVITIES THAT WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED OR YOU MAY HAVE MISSED!....... The Christmas Treasure Hunt 28th December 2014

Bright and sunny broke the day that was to be the Yuletide meet of the Wolverley and District Driving Club. A pub, a starting time, some exercise and lots of observation but not a horse or cart in sight. The 2-legged trawl through beautiful Bridgnorth was a great opportunity to experience paths not normally trod on the average shopping trip. The pretty lanes and steps up and down this hillside town were perused and prodded from all angles as members tried to make progress in this hard-fought competition.

The pub was the Parlors Hall Hotel in Mill Street, Bridgnorth, and the starting time was between 10.30 and 11a.m. on a lovely sunny

Sunday morning. Questions! Questions! Questions! And they all required an answer. There were 2 whole pages of them to test and quiz the participants in our observation skills as we traversed the streets of Bridgnorth in an effort to find the correct answers!!! (some appeared to be a little ambiguous but the judge’s decision was final!) David Smith smiled as he kept an eye out to see if he had fooled us in this year’s treasure hunt. He loitered by the final clue, the telephone box, to play a prank on competitors searching for the phone number. Luckily for Sue Anderson and team mate Peter Hughes, who answered the phone when he rang, she didn’t listen to his message that suggested the phone box would self-destruct in 5 seconds…… hahaha. Having been threatened with being carted away by men in white coats (by David) we were all kept on our toes with cryptic clues as well as simple observational clues that led us round the town and back to the original starting point, The Parlors Hall Hotel where we happily congregated afterwards for a warming drink and a slap-up meal. After the great carvery the questions were all answered and prize-giving ensued. First prize went to the very intelligent (or lucky) Sandra and Geoff who became the proud owners of a fab box of Thornton’s chocs. Booby prize of a pot of vitamin tablets was won by Team Sheti who appeared thrilled with the prize.

Thanks to David Smith and his glamourous assistant, Janie, for a super and hilarious day and for getting the grey matter going with a fun-filled treasure hunt in Bridgnorth.

CC.


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Wolverley Driving Club……Annual Dinner. Once a year we get to see the legs of female Wolverley Driving Club member’s at the Annual Dinner, very nice too. 43 members and friends enjoyed a lovely 3 course meal at the Granary accompanied by a well presented picture show of the clubs activities last season provided by Tony “Spielberg” Cowles. The sight of Army uniforms and paraphernalia was a bit worrying, even though conscription is long over. However, dinner was followed by a fascinating insight into a career combining the veterinary profession and soldiering by Major Laura Holmes. Now retired from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and the Household Cavalry, Laura talked about her care of and exploits with 300 Cavalry horses and her time in Afghanistan, most interesting. Laura then answered questions about the Army and its horses. Special thanks to Linda Sprosen for organising the event for us, and Tony Gregory for being MC for the evening and helping our new Chair, Giselle, to present the club’s annual awards. Jo Pitts took the Blood Sweat and Tears trophy for her encouraging help with juniors. Judi Reeve took the Driving Trials ribbon and whips trophy. No surprise that Tony Edwards won the Grooms trophy Our incoming Chairman won the much coveted Cones trophy. Tony Bache and Madge Edwards were thanked for their services to the club, outgoing Chairman and President respectively and were presented with gifts. Good to have our dinner at the end of January. Not much winter left and back in the box seat! DS.

Thank you

I would like to thank the members of WDDC for their thoughtful and generous gift of the garden voucher upon my retirement. I have enjoyed working with the team so that others hopefully can have as much fun as I have over many years. Madge Edwards.

Visit our Facebook Page! You will be able to see when

events are planned and upload your driving photos for all to share. Search for

“Wolverley & District Driving Club”

If anyone is interested in purchasing clothing – fleeces,

sweatshirts, polo shirts, caps etc, with the Club logo please contact

Linda Sprosen.


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Wolverley& District Driving Club Annual Awards for the year 2014 Whip Points 1st Judi Reeve 142 points W.H James &Son Cup 2nd Julie Wedgbury 140 points 3rd Giselle Lockett 120 points 4th Anthony Gregory 92 points 5th Dawn Tebbett 90 points 6th = Simon Mitchell 80 points Tony Cowles 80 points Groom Points lst Tony Edwards 102 points Blakedown Landscape Challenge Cup 2nd= Carol Gregory 70 points Sam Mitchell 4th Martin Newman 62 points 5th Felicity Newman 61 points 6th = Sue Beaman 40 points Barbara Wright Cones Overall 1st Giselle Lockett 2nd = Julie Wedgbury Dawn Tebbett 4th Judi Reeve 5th Tony Gregory 6th Claudia Bunn WDDC Driving Trials Cup Judi Reeve Blood Sweat Toil and Tears Jo Pitts The Annual Dinner Raffle made £70. Thank you to Tony Gregory, Giselle Lockett, Vicki Poole and Linda Sprosen for providing raffle prizes.

To demystify how the championship results are calculated: Here follows a brief explanation of how the results are calculated:

All entries at all events receive 10 points for the whip and 10 points for the groom.

In addition, at every competitive event, the winner is given 12 points, 2nd 10 points, 3rd 8, 4th 6, 5th 4 and 6th 2.

The groom also gets the same points.


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Doug Joiner passed away peacefully on the 8th September 2014. We held a tribute to his life in Childer Wood on Saturday 25th October. It was a magical evening with over 200 attending, reminiscing, celebrating and mourning his passing. The death of Doug Joiner leaves a huge hole in the worlds of both horse logging and the working horse movement.

Doug was involved with the British Horse Loggers from its original formation in the early 1990s, and became Chair of the BHL Committee in 2000, when BHL was a specialist group within the Forestry Contracting Association. Doug then led the BHL on a period of rapid change and development.

Under his leadership, the BHL separated from the FCA, and was established as an independent group. Shortly afterwards, Doug’s practical example and advocacy brought to the BHL the patronage of HRH The Prince of Wales. Royal patronage opened doors for a small organisation. The British Horse Loggers Charitable Trust was formed with Doug as Chair, and this allowed the creation and funding of the British Horse Loggers Apprenticeship Scheme.

Doug was always hospitable, and saw social gatherings as very necessary cement for a small organisation with a membership spread widely and thinly across the UK and beyond. His woodland, Childer Wood in Herefordshire, was the venue for the annual BHL AGM and Competitions over many years, together with other courses and events.

He was a tireless and fluent advocate of horse logging, running demonstrations, talks and training courses, encouraging and inspiring many new entrants to take up the reins. Doug’s networking skills were phenomenal, both by e-mail and face to face. He travelled widely in the UK and Europe, especially in support of FECTU, and had visited horse loggers as far away as Japan.

In more recent times, Doug’s interests diversified from his horse logging core to a wider view of the modern working draught horse on the land and on the streets. His personal enterprise, the British Festival of the Working Horse, has promoted demonstrations of modern economic horse power in market gardens, vineyards, and elsewhere.

For those of us who knew him, we are left with the memory of a big, genial, generous, hospitable and, above all, passionate man. He is going to be a very hard act to follow. The finest memorial we can give him is to continue the cause of which he was so eloquent a champion.

If you have any information or article that you would like me to include in the

next newsletter, please contact me. Email is the easiest method (for me), but a

phone call or just a chat when we meet would be great.

Email: [email protected]

Telephone 01886832032

Tony Edwards, Editor.


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The articles within this Newsletter reflect the views of the contributors, and are

not to be taken as representative of the Wolverley & District

Driving Club.

LOADING/TRAINING CART FOR SALE Really useful, light little vehicle to fit single 13.2 to 14.2 single or 13 to 14 hands pair. Basically sound but with ironwork in need of rubdown and painting. Non-rust aluminium chequer plate floor. Back let’s down. Shafts and pole. A steal at £220 ono. Please tel. Claudia Bunn on01386 860626(leave message)

FOR SALE 4 wheeled marathon vehicle to fit 15hh to 16hh with solid rubber tyres and back step. £600.00 2 wheeler to fit 15hh to 16hh with steel wheels and solid rubber tyres. £500.00 Exercise cart to fit 15hh to 16hh. £100.00

Contact - Paul Ingram on 01562 777773

Full results of past events

can be found on the Club

website at

www.wolverleydriving.co.uk



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Talk by Laura Holmes

“When to call out the Vet?” At

Wolverley Church Hall, DY11 5TH

Located off the roundabout at the junction of B4189 Wolverley Road and

B4100 Franche Road (OS Ref 138-828792)

On Friday 13th March 2015

at 7.30pm

Cost £5 per person to include Ploughman’s Supper (Please bring your own liquid refreshments, tea and coffee provided)

Cheques made payable to WDDC or Bacs Acc no #51276859

Sort Code 40-26-08

Please reply by 6th March 2015

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ENTRY FORM

Names of People attending ....................................................................................

............................................................................................................................. .......

...................................................................................................................................

Enclosed cheque made Payable to WDDC .......................................................

Paid by Bacs………………………………………………………………………………

Return to Linda Sprosen, 156 Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, DY10 2SL or

email [email protected]

Optional – Pay by BACS Internet Transfer & Email completed form to [email protected]

Wolverley& District Driving Club Account # 51276859 Sort Code 40-26-08


mailto:[email protected]

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Long Reining and Fun Day At

Stourport Riding School, Upper Poolands Farm, Hartlebury Road, Stourport, DY13 9JD

Sunday 29th March 2015 10.00am

Entry fee £10.00 per turnout.

Bring your own refreshments

WDDC club rules and disclaimer apply

To include:- Exercises, Teams, Games, Cones and a lot of fun You will need a pair of long reins, an open bridle, a pad preferably with a back strap and crupper and a whip, Gloves, hard hat and good footwear. Entry Form closing date 20th March 2015 Name(s): …………………………………………………………………………………. Signed ……………………………………………………………………………………….. Signed parent / guardian for junior…………………………………………… Address and Tel No …………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………… E mail address ………………………………………………………………………. Horse/pony details Name[s] ……………………………………………………………… Height [s] ……………………………………………………………………………. Cheque/Bacs payment…………………………………………..cheques made payable to WDDC Return to LindaSprosen 156 Birmingham Road, Kidderminster DY10 2SL

Optional – Pay by BACS Internet Transfer & Email completed form to [email protected]

Wolverley & District Driving Club Account # 51276859 Sort Code 40-26-08



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SPRING CAMP 15,16& 17TH MAY 2015

At Lincomb Equestrian Centre Stourport on Severn DY13 9RB

The camp is designed for all levels from beginner to the experienced (Whips and

Grooms). The WDDC wants to support you in achieving your driving goals for 2015,

through a friendly, supportive and fun experience by providing training/ instruction

for those who want it and the opportunity to hone your skills for the more

experienced. Nothing will be compulsory.

Cost £100 per turnout including driver and turnout.

Detailed programme will follow once we know numbers.

To secure your place on the Spring Camp please complete this pro forma and return

with £20 deposit per turnout by the10th march to Linda Sprosen, 156 Birmingham

Road, Kidderminster, DY10 2SL. The remainder to be paid in full by 3rd May 2015. You

can pay by instalments if you wish.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - ----------------------

ENTRY FORM

Name…………………………………… Email………………………………………

Contact Telephone Number(s)………………………………………………………

First Turnout

Whip Name Groom Name Pony(ies)Horse Name & height

Second Turnout

Whip Name Groom Name Pony(ies)Horse Name & height

Stabling details and cost to follow.

Cheque Made payable to WDDC or Pay by Bacs Wolverley& District Driving Club

Account~51276859 Sort Code 40-26-08

Return to Linda Sprosen, 156Birmingham Road Kidderminster, DY10 2SL or e

mail [email protected]

For Whips/Grooms under 16 years of age:

I authorise……………………………………to attend the WDDC Spring Camp and ride on

carriages

Signed: - ……………………………………………. Parent/guardian.



newsletter february 2015 · long reining fun day stourport rs march 29 . ihdt nat champs keysoe...

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