Summer 2002

HOOLI - Sheridel Hyperion

10th March 1993 – 4th June 2002

When I was born you weren't yet two
But from that day we always knew
We'd be best friends, have lots of fun,
As I learnt how to walk then run.

Seven short years you spent with me,
You shared my breakfast, lunch and tea.
You were my guardian, playmate, friend.
On you I always could depend.

Your tail stopped wagging, I held your paw,
You closed your eyes and were no more.
Your soul soared upwards to the sun
Which will shine brighter from now on.

I said goodbye and tears I cried,
My sadness I just couldn't hide.
Gone, not forgotten, you'll always be
Forever in my memory.

Until we meet again dear friend,

Ben Mercer

The day before he died, Hooli 'hosted' a barbecue and collected £53 for Newfoundland Welfare - a fitting tribute from all his friends.

Thank you Hedd and Del for entrusting us with such a special boy.

 Kev and Angie

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HORSHAM NEWFS TURN WELLINGTON COUNTRY PARK INTO NEVER-NEVER LAND

Having won the Team Game at the 2000 Spectacular, it fell upon Elaine, Wendy, Sarah, and myself to organise this year's Team Game.  It was Sarah who came up with the idea of basing it on Peter Pan, in which Nana is actually a Newfoundland and not a St. Bernard or Old English as often portrayed in films and pantomimes.  

During the previous year the four of us could often be seen in conspiratorial huddles, making notes and often laughing demonically.  There were also numerous shopping trips to buy costumes and props, not to mention a crocodile flown in from America.  In the interests of safety it was decided to co-opt Pat onto the team to keep an eye on things.

The challenge was issued in the Newfoundland Club Newsletter and by the Spectacular weekend we had a record entry of eight teams ø it was going to be a busy weekend.  

We arrived at Wellington on the Friday, only to find Sarah suffering with severe stomach pains for which she was dispatched to the local doctor. It was clear that she was unlikely to be able to take up her role as the crocodile.

We made use of the time by re-checking the course and setting up what props and equipment we could. Pat was a willing volunteer to take Sarah's place although I think he was beginning to wish he hadn't by Sunday evening.

Saturday dawned and it was all systems go (apart from those who were suffering from the Òmorning after the night beforeÓ).  Sarah was feeling better and was able to assume her other post as taste tester for those teams needing to win back members they had lost on the course.  

We finished setting up and were ready for the first team, which was Mica's Mob (with Nick and Debbie), but they were minus Bob and Sarah.  So into the fray stepped Keith and Georgia with imaginative improvisation for their costumes.  Being the first away is never easy but they overcame the inevitable Òteething problemsÓ and posted a creditable score.  

The next scheduled team, Tinkerbell's Tarts failed to materialise so the next up were Wendy's Darlings (Colin and Wendy with Kev and Angie plus Izzy).  Some lovely costumes as usual but a fair bit of improvisation and rule bending together with severely injuring the crocodile saw them heavily penalised.

Next up were two teams from Wales.  Ffion's Fearless Friends and Kayleigh's Korageous Komrades. Neither of whom had done much in the way of swimming or carting but the former ended up setting a score for the rest to chase.  (Very good costumes too.)  

Bob and Sarah eventually arrived and as we had a vacant slot teamed up with Mick and Dawn together with Bruce to form Elmwood.  A pair of pyjamas, a wig and some borrowed costumes made a sight for sore eyes but a valiant effort albeit with some outside help.

Sunday, and we had just about recovered and ready for the final forays.  Pan's People had to withdraw so we were down to two teams. First up were Tinkerbell's Belles ø great costumes and a very good effort all round.  Last but by no means least was the aptly named Pandemonium.  Once again, some good costumes but they lost on a good round by missing and losing some ÒLost BuoysÓ.

It was now time for the final reckoning and it was no easy task with some tough decisions not least of which was deciding on the best costumes.

We eventually arrived at the following results:

FFION'S FEARLESS FRIENDS TINKERBELL'S BELLES KAYLEIGH'S KOURAGEOUS KOMRADES MICA'S MOB PANDEMONIUM WENDY'S DARLINGS ELMWOOD TINKERBELL'S BELLES MICA'S MOB				132 points 129 points 116 points 115 points 114 points 112 points 78 points overall best costume best improvised costumes
The cast were: Steve Mallett Wendy Adcock Elaine Mallett Sarah Cundy Pat Bridger				Captain Hook Pirate and Scorer Smee Taste Tester Crocodile and Safety Steward

Our thanks go to all those who entered and to Horsham Newfs for there assistance with the equipment.

I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did.

Steve Mallett

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RAGLEY WATER TRIALS

After an extremely hot and tiring journey on Friday, Nick and I arrived (hours later than planned due to traffic) at a very nice peaceful campsite and met up with the others from the group.  We had a nice evening and all enjoyed (I hope) the curries I had cooked for everyone.  On Saturday morning we all arrived at Ragley Hall dressed for the sun, but Nick, Angie and Georgia were soon on their way back to the campsite for jeans, jumpers and coats for us all, the weather was not as hot as we had anticipated.

All the dogs from our group did well in the water, carting and obedience competitions.  Pat's Esta came 2nd in the carting and won a cup, I think Pat had the cup in his possession for about 10 minutes when it was taken back, the cup was for obedience not carting, poor Pat was close to tears!!  Kev and Angie's Dexter would have been in the run off for 1st place in the obedience if someone had not mistaken Dexter for Izzy and queried the judge's decision.  Izzy did a spectacular retrieve in the obedience ring, it incorporated a runner to the lake on her way back to Kev.  She also decided to take in the lake during her sit stay É Oh yes and her down stay.  But to make up for it Izzy won the trophy for Best Working Show Dog.

I think we all enjoyed Ragley even though some of us found ourselves stewarding for much of the day. Not that we minded, in fact I really enjoyed it.  Keith has a word of warning for everyone. If you are carrying a full poo bag and someone shouts, Òlook outÓ, DO NOT raise the hand containing the full bag to protect your face from an incoming football.  Ball hits bag ø bag splits ø need I say more.  Keith was heard to say ÒThank goodness it was solidÓ or words to that effect, as he wandered back to the lake for a spot of cleaning up.

Back at the campsite we all enjoyed ourselves with some nice food and a few drinkies, some of us and they know who they are (hic!) had more than was sensible, but who wants to be sensible when away for the weekend.  According to some of the site residents we didn't go to bed until 2AM, we had a visit the next morning asking us to keep the noise down (what noise?) after midnight or we may be asked to leave.  I don't think it helped matters when one of the residents asked if he could have some peace and quiet and someone replied, ÒYes, help yourselfÓ.  Apparently on Sunday night Angie and Keith were talking via pen and paper after the 12 O'clock curfew.

So did we enjoy Ragley? Yes we did, Ragley Hall is a beautiful setting and despite a few hiccups with the organisation it was a really great day out.

Debi Hawkins

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HORSHAM NEWFS RALLY - Southwater/Bat & Ball

Sat/Sun August 3rd/4th 2002

Much fun and frivolity was had at the Rally this year.  We had a good turn out for both swimming and carting events.  The knicker competition went down a storm. Some of us are still reeling from the shock of finding out the sort of underpants our esteemed Chairman and one of our longer standing members wear!  Although attention must be paid to the winner, Debbie Hawkins, who obviously keeps a close eye on the undies each Member sports day to day.

The results of the competitions are shown below:

Swimming:
1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th	Mica Panda Bruno Tallie Jasper Juno	Nick & Debbie Pat & Wendy Steve & Elaine Keith & Georgia Mike & Sarah Sue Worsell	42:16 43:37 43:75 45:65 48:37 50:88
Carting:
1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th	Izzy Robbie Dexter Mica Esta Hudson	Kevin & Angie Steve & Elaine Kevin & Angie Nick & Debbie Pat & Wendy Colin & Wendy	13 13.5 14 15 15 17
Overall:
1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th	Mica Dexter Izzy Robbie Tallie Esta	Nick & Debbie Kevin & Angie Kevin & Angie Steve & Elaine Keith & Georgia Pat & Wendy