Held online on 22/11/20
Before starting the meeting, the Chairman asked those present to take a moment to remember those we had sadly lost throughout 2020: Nanny Whippet (Joan Wayman), Valerie Best, Rae Sebley and Robert Greaves.
Only one club was not represented at this meeting. Turnout and quorum seems to be better supported because of the meetings being held on line, rather than ‘in person’ – everyone can enjoy a ‘lie-in’ and they only have to travel as far as their computer to attend. Representatives are no longer spending sums on petrol and overnight expenses (rarely, if ever, claimed back from those clubs they are representing) and reducing the Breed Council’s carbon footprint is another bonus. Observers may still join the meetings if they would like to, when members of a whippet breed club. Everyone is welcome, now that we have this online ability. Joining the meeting is a simple ‘click’ on the link and you are in! It may well be the way of the future.
There had been much discussion regarding the amount litters bred during Covid19 which could be seen in the Kennel Club Breed Records Supplement. Each club has its own Code of Ethics which may differ from another club, so each must ensure that its members adhere to their own code. Monitoring the Breed Record Supplements and taking action for any infringement is the responsibility of each individual club.
The web site and Facebook pages were receiving a great deal of traffic which was excellent for enabling the flow of breed information to whippet owners and breeders etc. The monthly photo competitions on Facebook were most entertaining and were helping to maintain interest in the pages.
Version 5 of the Illustrated Breed Standard of the Whippet has now been produced and copies are available from Breed Council Secretary Mel Sampson, or from your local Breed Club secretary. The price is £2.50 per booklet with postage at cost above that.
The Annual meeting will be going ahead on line and the positions of both Chairman and Health coordinator are due for election. Any nominations must be proposed and seconded by breed clubs.
There was a great deal of discussion and questions regarding health issues and heart testing. After recommendations from the Kennel Club to consult with the Breed Clubs, the clubs elected to vote on heart testing as a recommendation for the Assured Breeders Scheme. This was passed by a majority. Those clubs who voted in favour should now update their Codes Of Ethics accordingly, to indicate that heart testing is a recommendation for the breed.
The Kennel Club have upgraded their CC allocation and there will be an increase in 2022 but the KC will be notifying those clubs who will receive an additional set of CC’s in early 2021. There was no need for ‘application’.
With the confusion of shows cancelled throughout 2020, the Breed Council web site has a spreadsheet of shows/dates etc, designed and updated regularly by Mark Fryer, for which we are most grateful. You can find this on; https://www.whippetbreedcouncil.com/whippet-shows-excel…
Roger Perkins gave an excellent presentation regarding risk assessments for show secretaries taking Covid19 into account. He is willing to help and advise regarding these issues. His details have been forwarded to the Breed Club secretaries.
Lastly, the on line whippet education event tickets will be available on the following evening at 8.00pm
(Post Script – all 75 tickets were snapped up within 90 minutes, throughout the UK, Europe and as far as Cape Town in South Africa! More online events are planned in the future, these will be advertised on social media and Breed Notes and will be open to all).
Next meeting date, including the Annual meeting is planned for 24th January 2021 at 10.00am If you would like to attend, please contact secretary Mel Sampson on ukwhippetbcs@gmail.com
Ann Beckett-Bradshaw
Chairman