Club News
December 2023
June 2023
The stand alone trophy show will also be our AGM.
January 2023
A very Happy New Year to you all from me, Hazel and the rest of the Executive and Standards Committee.
As we start off 2023 what could be better than a move up the ladder for the Minipli from NEB to Guide Standard. We are working behind the scenes creating and discussing more ways in which to involve you, our members. We have a number of breed leaflets now available. These are available as a PDF from the website (see link below) or if you attend one of the rosette shows, then you should be able to pick one or two up.
We have extended our rosette shows this year from 7 to 10 and after the Executive meet at Doncaster we will be able to enlighten you as to where and when the points shows will be held.
The breeds that the RVCC look after are mainly "in the making" and as such it takes a dedicated individual to pick one of these breeds. They are definitely not for the faint hearted. So as you go about making your New Years resolution, perhaps think about supporting one of the NEB/GS or Full Standard breeds. Or become a paid member Volunteer at a rosette show to 'man' a stand for the Club to give out information on our breeds.
Moving forward the Club will be different, we pledge to be more interactive, listen to our members, support those breeds in the Assessment classes and support breeds who feel they are ready to move up to the next level.
Check back regularly on the website or on our Facebook page and within the pages of Cavies magazine.
We all wish you a very happy and healthy New Year. We hope to see a lot of you at the forthcoming shows and if we can help you in the meantime, please get in touch.
Chairperson
Hazel Beaudin
As we start off 2023 what could be better than a move up the ladder for the Minipli from NEB to Guide Standard. We are working behind the scenes creating and discussing more ways in which to involve you, our members. We have a number of breed leaflets now available. These are available as a PDF from the website (see link below) or if you attend one of the rosette shows, then you should be able to pick one or two up.
We have extended our rosette shows this year from 7 to 10 and after the Executive meet at Doncaster we will be able to enlighten you as to where and when the points shows will be held.
The breeds that the RVCC look after are mainly "in the making" and as such it takes a dedicated individual to pick one of these breeds. They are definitely not for the faint hearted. So as you go about making your New Years resolution, perhaps think about supporting one of the NEB/GS or Full Standard breeds. Or become a paid member Volunteer at a rosette show to 'man' a stand for the Club to give out information on our breeds.
Moving forward the Club will be different, we pledge to be more interactive, listen to our members, support those breeds in the Assessment classes and support breeds who feel they are ready to move up to the next level.
Check back regularly on the website or on our Facebook page and within the pages of Cavies magazine.
We all wish you a very happy and healthy New Year. We hope to see a lot of you at the forthcoming shows and if we can help you in the meantime, please get in touch.
Chairperson
Hazel Beaudin
November 2022
The Standards Committee have now had their 1st meeting and they will be working alongside the different breeds.
Please get in touch with your breed representative to ensure your included in the discussions moving forward. Breed leaflets are also being put together, so get in touch to get involved.
The reps are:
Swiss – Hazel Beaudin - [email protected]
Lunkaraya – Clare Allen-Holmes - [email protected]
Argentes – Peter Wardman - [email protected]
Chinchilla - Su Schofield - [email protected]
Magpie/Harlequin – Clare Allen-Holmes - [email protected]
Minipli – Debbie Jones - [email protected]
Californian – Peter Wardman - [email protected]
Belted – Su Schofield - [email protected]
Bi/Tri – Debbie Jones - [email protected]
Ridgeback – Peter Wardman - [email protected]
Please get in touch with your breed representative to ensure your included in the discussions moving forward. Breed leaflets are also being put together, so get in touch to get involved.
The reps are:
Swiss – Hazel Beaudin - [email protected]
Lunkaraya – Clare Allen-Holmes - [email protected]
Argentes – Peter Wardman - [email protected]
Chinchilla - Su Schofield - [email protected]
Magpie/Harlequin – Clare Allen-Holmes - [email protected]
Minipli – Debbie Jones - [email protected]
Californian – Peter Wardman - [email protected]
Belted – Su Schofield - [email protected]
Bi/Tri – Debbie Jones - [email protected]
Ridgeback – Peter Wardman - [email protected]
Here are some recent changes to the ballot results, with the vacancies now filled.
October 2022
Here are the Results of the 2022 Ballot for the Executive for next year.
President - no nominations
Chairman - Hazel Beaudin - unopposed
Secretary/Treasurer- no nominations, role is still available to members to express interest.
BCC Rep - Pete Wardman - unopposed
General Committee (8) - all unopposed
Don Payne
Sue Ford
Su Schofield
Pete Wardman
Janet Saynor
Siobhan Beaudin
Clare Allen-Holmes
Sam Richardson
Standards Committee (6)
Oliver Joyce 31
Pete Wardman 31
Su Schofield 26
Melanie Bell 18
Emma Burton 18
Clare Allen-Holmes 14
Hazel Beaudin 13
Siobhan Beaudin 13
Debbie Jones 7
Judging Pannel (15)
Oliver Joyce 33
Don Payne 32
Janet Saynor 30
Jme Eglington 29
Aaron Barnicott 28
Sam Richardson 28
Mark Pascoe 27
Daniel Bennett 26
Su Schofield 26
Melanie Bell 23
Nikki Matthews 21
Rachel Stanley 19
Hazel Beaudin 17
Siobhan Beaudin 16
Betty Crick 14 - now life judge
Debbie Jones 12 - Elected by default
Life Members/Life Judge
Betty Crick - Life Member & Judge
Caroline Smith - Life Member
Yes 28
No 2
Abstain 2
Spoilt 1
President - no nominations
Chairman - Hazel Beaudin - unopposed
Secretary/Treasurer- no nominations, role is still available to members to express interest.
BCC Rep - Pete Wardman - unopposed
General Committee (8) - all unopposed
Don Payne
Sue Ford
Su Schofield
Pete Wardman
Janet Saynor
Siobhan Beaudin
Clare Allen-Holmes
Sam Richardson
Standards Committee (6)
Oliver Joyce 31
Pete Wardman 31
Su Schofield 26
Melanie Bell 18
Emma Burton 18
Clare Allen-Holmes 14
Hazel Beaudin 13
Siobhan Beaudin 13
Debbie Jones 7
Judging Pannel (15)
Oliver Joyce 33
Don Payne 32
Janet Saynor 30
Jme Eglington 29
Aaron Barnicott 28
Sam Richardson 28
Mark Pascoe 27
Daniel Bennett 26
Su Schofield 26
Melanie Bell 23
Nikki Matthews 21
Rachel Stanley 19
Hazel Beaudin 17
Siobhan Beaudin 16
Betty Crick 14 - now life judge
Debbie Jones 12 - Elected by default
Life Members/Life Judge
Betty Crick - Life Member & Judge
Caroline Smith - Life Member
Yes 28
No 2
Abstain 2
Spoilt 1
June 2020
Hello all,
We are going to host an online show on Saturday 20th June with RVCC Panel Judge Jme Eglington, for all breeds that are catered for by the RVCC. Closing Date: Saturday 13th June at 8pm, email: [email protected]
To enter this free event:
Please include the following:
Breed, age, sex, and colour if relevant.
Please email at least 5 pictures of the cavy, remembering breed specifics.
ONE ENTRY PER EMAIL ONLY, NO FACEBOOK OR PHONE MESSAGES.
Photos must be new, and have a handwritten note on each photo that says “RVCC20”.
————--
RVCC Members only - Please also write in about your progress with breeds, what attributes you can see improvement on, what you think needs improvement?
What do you think is a big characteristic of the breed that should be focused on?
And that way we gather information, whilst there is currently no shows.
We are going to host an online show on Saturday 20th June with RVCC Panel Judge Jme Eglington, for all breeds that are catered for by the RVCC. Closing Date: Saturday 13th June at 8pm, email: [email protected]
To enter this free event:
Please include the following:
Breed, age, sex, and colour if relevant.
Please email at least 5 pictures of the cavy, remembering breed specifics.
ONE ENTRY PER EMAIL ONLY, NO FACEBOOK OR PHONE MESSAGES.
Photos must be new, and have a handwritten note on each photo that says “RVCC20”.
————--
RVCC Members only - Please also write in about your progress with breeds, what attributes you can see improvement on, what you think needs improvement?
What do you think is a big characteristic of the breed that should be focused on?
And that way we gather information, whilst there is currently no shows.
National Cavy Club Statement No.4: COVID-19 (coronavirus)
Further to our earlier statements regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic, the National Cavy Club has reviewed and updated its recommendations in regard to cavy shows and meetings in the UK.
It is clear from Government advice that social distancing, at the very least, will be in place for some months to come and that the mass gathering of large numbers of people in close confinement will be one of last restrictions to be relaxed. We do not believe that it is practicable or safe to hold cavy shows with such measures in place.
As such, the National Cavy Club recommends that all cavy shows and similar events are cancelled for the foreseeable future, until such time as Government advice changes. As previously, the National Cavy Club will be rescinding show support for all affiliated shows until further notice.
These measures will be reviewed regularly and a further statement will be issued in early August, unless matters change in the interim.
Whilst we can not predict the future course of the pandemic or the measures to control it, based on the facts available to date we consider that it is highly unlikely that we will be able to hold any cavy shows this year. To this end, we recommend that clubs take appropriate measures and make necessary arrangements to avoid commitments that might have financial implications.
We understand that this is a very worrying time for cavy fanciers and we would like to reiterate that we will be doing all we can to support our members and our affiliated clubs. We are actively exploring alternative ways we can all engage, albeit by different means, so that we can all continue to enjoy our hobby. We are also looking at how we might emerge from this crisis, to ensure we are ready to adapt quickly to what might be a very different landscape and a new normal.
National Cavy Club - 17th May 2020
Further to our earlier statements regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic, the National Cavy Club has reviewed and updated its recommendations in regard to cavy shows and meetings in the UK.
It is clear from Government advice that social distancing, at the very least, will be in place for some months to come and that the mass gathering of large numbers of people in close confinement will be one of last restrictions to be relaxed. We do not believe that it is practicable or safe to hold cavy shows with such measures in place.
As such, the National Cavy Club recommends that all cavy shows and similar events are cancelled for the foreseeable future, until such time as Government advice changes. As previously, the National Cavy Club will be rescinding show support for all affiliated shows until further notice.
These measures will be reviewed regularly and a further statement will be issued in early August, unless matters change in the interim.
Whilst we can not predict the future course of the pandemic or the measures to control it, based on the facts available to date we consider that it is highly unlikely that we will be able to hold any cavy shows this year. To this end, we recommend that clubs take appropriate measures and make necessary arrangements to avoid commitments that might have financial implications.
We understand that this is a very worrying time for cavy fanciers and we would like to reiterate that we will be doing all we can to support our members and our affiliated clubs. We are actively exploring alternative ways we can all engage, albeit by different means, so that we can all continue to enjoy our hobby. We are also looking at how we might emerge from this crisis, to ensure we are ready to adapt quickly to what might be a very different landscape and a new normal.
National Cavy Club - 17th May 2020
August 2019
RVCC AGM NOTICE!
The RVCC AGM and 2018 trophy presentation will be held at Real London Show on 14th September 2019 after lunch.
Any items for the agenda must be with the Secretary by the 31st August 2019, signed by the proposer and seconder. No late items will be accepted.
Proposals to be posted to:
RVCC AGM
c/o 1 Audley Road
Talke Pits
Stoke on Trent
Staffordshire
ST7 1UG
Many Thanks
Nikki Mathews
RVCC Chairman
The RVCC AGM and 2018 trophy presentation will be held at Real London Show on 14th September 2019 after lunch.
Any items for the agenda must be with the Secretary by the 31st August 2019, signed by the proposer and seconder. No late items will be accepted.
Proposals to be posted to:
RVCC AGM
c/o 1 Audley Road
Talke Pits
Stoke on Trent
Staffordshire
ST7 1UG
Many Thanks
Nikki Mathews
RVCC Chairman
May 2018
RVCC Ballot Results 2018-2020
Ballot papers received 66 (Spoiled papers nil).
President (1)
Elected: Pam Ramsden 33.
Not Elected: Ann Rolf 21, Hazel Beaudin 11.
Chairman (1)
Elected: Nikki Mathews 52.
Not Elected: Scott Walker 13.
Secretary (1)
Aaron Barnicott – unopposed.
BCC Representative (1)
Elected: Peter Wardman 39.
Not Elected: Francis Rossi 12, Hazel Beaudin 11.
General Committee (8)
Elected: Nikki Mathews 53 (cannot fulfil due to being chair), Don Payne 49, Sue Ford 44, Su Schofield 44, Jme Eglington 42, Peter Wardman 42, Lisa Leach 39, Sam Richardson 38, Hazel Beaudin 22 (moved up due to position being available).
Not Elected: Scott Walker 19.
Standards Committee (6)
Elected: Nikki Mathews 55, Peter Wardman 47, Mark Pascoe 45,
Su Schofield 45, Emma Burton 39, Hazel Beaudin 25.
Not Elected: Scott Walker 17, Pippa Walker 13.
AGM 2018 (1)
Elected: Warwickshire 33.
Not Elected: Lincoln 27.
Judging Panel (15)
Elected: Nikki Mathews 53, Don Payne 48, Caroline Smith 46, Aaron Barnicott 44, Oliver Joyce 44, Pam Ramsden 44, Janet Saynor 42, Mark Pascoe 41, Betty Crick 39, Jme Eglington 39, Peter Wardman 37, Sue Pearce 36, Lisa Leach 35, Sam Richardson 34, Su Schofield 34.
Not Elected: Kathy Dudding 32, Graham Thorpe 31, Hazel Beaudin 21, Pippa Walker 12.
Bernard Wiles (Scrutiniser) 23.05.18
Ballot papers received 66 (Spoiled papers nil).
President (1)
Elected: Pam Ramsden 33.
Not Elected: Ann Rolf 21, Hazel Beaudin 11.
Chairman (1)
Elected: Nikki Mathews 52.
Not Elected: Scott Walker 13.
Secretary (1)
Aaron Barnicott – unopposed.
BCC Representative (1)
Elected: Peter Wardman 39.
Not Elected: Francis Rossi 12, Hazel Beaudin 11.
General Committee (8)
Elected: Nikki Mathews 53 (cannot fulfil due to being chair), Don Payne 49, Sue Ford 44, Su Schofield 44, Jme Eglington 42, Peter Wardman 42, Lisa Leach 39, Sam Richardson 38, Hazel Beaudin 22 (moved up due to position being available).
Not Elected: Scott Walker 19.
Standards Committee (6)
Elected: Nikki Mathews 55, Peter Wardman 47, Mark Pascoe 45,
Su Schofield 45, Emma Burton 39, Hazel Beaudin 25.
Not Elected: Scott Walker 17, Pippa Walker 13.
AGM 2018 (1)
Elected: Warwickshire 33.
Not Elected: Lincoln 27.
Judging Panel (15)
Elected: Nikki Mathews 53, Don Payne 48, Caroline Smith 46, Aaron Barnicott 44, Oliver Joyce 44, Pam Ramsden 44, Janet Saynor 42, Mark Pascoe 41, Betty Crick 39, Jme Eglington 39, Peter Wardman 37, Sue Pearce 36, Lisa Leach 35, Sam Richardson 34, Su Schofield 34.
Not Elected: Kathy Dudding 32, Graham Thorpe 31, Hazel Beaudin 21, Pippa Walker 12.
Bernard Wiles (Scrutiniser) 23.05.18
Aaron Barnicott
Secretary
Secretary
April 2018
Happy Easter
Please note that the nominations have now closed for the RVCC ballot - no nominations will be accepted. I will be printing out and posting to all paid members the paper ballot, which will be due by the first of May - 30 days from posting. Our scrutineer is Bernard Wiles, all ballots will have an envelope to post directly to Bernard, you must provide your own stamp.
Pam Ramsden
Please note that the nominations have now closed for the RVCC ballot - no nominations will be accepted. I will be printing out and posting to all paid members the paper ballot, which will be due by the first of May - 30 days from posting. Our scrutineer is Bernard Wiles, all ballots will have an envelope to post directly to Bernard, you must provide your own stamp.
Pam Ramsden
January 2018
Dear Members
First off, I would like to wish everyone a happy New Year and to thank all members for their support in 2017. We have had an eventful year and the 2018 show schedule has been confirmed. Unfortunately we as a club have had our ups and downs this year but with any luck we are moving in a positive direction. We have had further resignations as Dorte Roeper has stepped down from Chairman of the RVCC. Due to this resignation and other recent vacancies it was felt by the Executive that it would be in the best interest of the club to hold the bi-annual election early. The election would have taken place after the AGM and then completed by October. However, we will be holding it as soon as possible and according to the rules. There are instructions and information below, as well as a nomination form. There will be an announcement in the Feb edition of Cavies. All nominations will close 4 weeks after the announcement in Cavies. After the closing date there will be four weeks for ballots to be returned to the scruitneer. As a result of running the ballot early, the AGM will take place later in the year when all posts have been filled. Instead of serving for 2 year positions - all positions will run for 2 1/2 years until the next bi-annual election is held for the club. We would encourage all members to think about participating in club leadership. If there are any questions please contact the Secretary.
All the best
Pam Ramsden
First off, I would like to wish everyone a happy New Year and to thank all members for their support in 2017. We have had an eventful year and the 2018 show schedule has been confirmed. Unfortunately we as a club have had our ups and downs this year but with any luck we are moving in a positive direction. We have had further resignations as Dorte Roeper has stepped down from Chairman of the RVCC. Due to this resignation and other recent vacancies it was felt by the Executive that it would be in the best interest of the club to hold the bi-annual election early. The election would have taken place after the AGM and then completed by October. However, we will be holding it as soon as possible and according to the rules. There are instructions and information below, as well as a nomination form. There will be an announcement in the Feb edition of Cavies. All nominations will close 4 weeks after the announcement in Cavies. After the closing date there will be four weeks for ballots to be returned to the scruitneer. As a result of running the ballot early, the AGM will take place later in the year when all posts have been filled. Instead of serving for 2 year positions - all positions will run for 2 1/2 years until the next bi-annual election is held for the club. We would encourage all members to think about participating in club leadership. If there are any questions please contact the Secretary.
All the best
Pam Ramsden
Nomination/Ballot Information
The RVCC Executive are announcing the early bi-annual ballot due to various resignations in various positions. The ballot procedures under normal circumstances would have occurred after the AGM and completed before the BCC meeting in October 2018. However, due to vacancies it is felt that it is important to bring the process forward.
Applications for nominations will be available from the Secretary and on the website. Alternatively, any member can request one to be sent via email.
According to the rules - The names of all new nominees should be sent to the Secretary by the closing date for nominations, which will be announced in the Cavy Press and which will give at least 4 weeks notice of the date for closure of nominations.
With this in mind - the announcement will not be in press until the February issue at the time of press the closure of nominations will take place 4 weeks after the announcement in Cavies magazine. However, you are welcome to send your nominations early and at any time until the date of closure. After the closure date the postal ballot will be mailed to all members -- again there will be a four week time frame to post back the ballots to the scrutineer.
Officers of the Club
The Officers of the Club consist of: President, Chairman, eight General Committee Members and Secretary/Treasurer (combined office). No person may occupy more than one of the above positions. And these Officers will be known as ‘the Executive’. Other Officers are to consist of an Auditor, one BCC Representative dependent upon membership - with larger membership there may be 2 and Deputy (all of which should be Members of the Executive), six RVCC Standards Committee Members, and one or more Scrutineers.
All nominations for new candidates for election as Officers must be made by a Proposer and Seconder who will be Adult members, and the prior consent of the nominee must be obtained in writing.
Any member who is nominated as an Officer of the Club must have been a member of the RVCC at the time of the nomination and have been a member for the preceding three years. Please be aware that the positions are for two and a half years, because of the early ballot you should not allow yourself to be nominated unless you are certain you will be able to serve for the entire term.
The names of all new nominees should be sent to the Secretary by the closing date for nominations, which will be announced in the Cavy Press and which will give at least 4 weeks notice of the date for closure of nominations.
General Executive Members
The Executive will transact all business of the Club, settle all disputes or any questions not presented in the rules. They must be contactable and in communication with the chair and maintaining club business.
President
The President is responsible for Club leadership, presides at the AGM and represents the Club in all official Club business. The President is responsible for making sure that the Executive follows the rules and provides guidance and direction. The President is a voting member of the Executive.
Chairman
The Chairman is responsible for leading the Executive. They make sure that the Club is running smoothly and effectively and provides support to the Club. They are responsible for Chairing the Executive and organizing the Executive meetings. The Chairman ensures that the Standards Committee is functioning properly and that there is full participation within the Executive as a whole. The Chairman is in charge of making sure all relevant matters are discussed and effective decisions for the club are made and carried. The Chair does not vote unless there is a tie.
Secretary/Treasurer
The Secretary/Treasurer's role is to run the stock shows and monitor point shows, they are responsible for making sure that the points are calculated, rosettes, awards, award cards and trophies are given to members and all finances related to club business. They maintain a membership list and are responsible for the AGM minutes and Executive Committee minutes. They are responsible for the handbook and the bi-annual ballot. They are also a voting member of the Executive but have the added responsibility of attending every stock show unless they find a stand-in. It is the Secretary's responsibility that the stock shows are staffed. The Secretary is a voting member of the Executive. There is no travel stipend available for shows.
Club Judges
Fifteen Club Judges will be elected biennially by postal ballot, judges to be unique Guide Standard breeds, Full Standard breeds (without a specialist breed club) and serious experimental New/Emerging breeds (Non-Standardised) breeders or past breeders and members of the Club. All existing Judges will automatically be included on the ballot unless the Secretary is notified in writing to the contrary. All nominations for new candidates for election as Judges must be made by a Proposer and Seconder who will be Adult members, and the prior consent of the nominee must be obtained in writing.
All nominations for new candidates for election as Judges must have been a member of the RVCC at the time of the nomination and have been a member for the preceding five years; unless such member has previously been elected as a Club Judge, in which case the period of membership must be at least 3 years including the current year. All Club Judge nominees MUST be familiar with guide/breed/notes of all breeds under the RVCC umbrella. This information is very important when judging the large variety of breeds that the RVCC is responsible for.
Please be aware that the positions are for two and a half years because of the early ballot and you should not allow yourself to be nominated unless you are certain you will be able to serve for the entire term. In addition judges need to be flexible and serve the club. They must be willing to judge at least one show during the elected year.
Standards Committee Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Standards Committee are to formally review all breeds under the RVCC umbrella. The status of all NEB and Guide Standard varieties should be formally reviewed by the Standards Committee at intervals of no longer than two years, and recommendations made to the Executive Committee for any changes that might be required. In addition, the Standards Committee is responsible for the Assessment Classes. Therefore, it is important for individuals to have some knowledge of genetics as this is important in understanding new potential breeds and be able to comment on the background and objectives of the breed presented for assessment. The Standards Committee is responsible for maintaining contact with members of the various breeds, informing them of any potential changes, and writing up a report for the annual BCC meeting. Once the committee is elected they will vote a chair of this committee who will be responsible for making sure that members are contacted, breed reports are written and a final report is completed to be presented to the BCC for the annual October meeting.
The RVCC Executive are announcing the early bi-annual ballot due to various resignations in various positions. The ballot procedures under normal circumstances would have occurred after the AGM and completed before the BCC meeting in October 2018. However, due to vacancies it is felt that it is important to bring the process forward.
Applications for nominations will be available from the Secretary and on the website. Alternatively, any member can request one to be sent via email.
According to the rules - The names of all new nominees should be sent to the Secretary by the closing date for nominations, which will be announced in the Cavy Press and which will give at least 4 weeks notice of the date for closure of nominations.
With this in mind - the announcement will not be in press until the February issue at the time of press the closure of nominations will take place 4 weeks after the announcement in Cavies magazine. However, you are welcome to send your nominations early and at any time until the date of closure. After the closure date the postal ballot will be mailed to all members -- again there will be a four week time frame to post back the ballots to the scrutineer.
Officers of the Club
The Officers of the Club consist of: President, Chairman, eight General Committee Members and Secretary/Treasurer (combined office). No person may occupy more than one of the above positions. And these Officers will be known as ‘the Executive’. Other Officers are to consist of an Auditor, one BCC Representative dependent upon membership - with larger membership there may be 2 and Deputy (all of which should be Members of the Executive), six RVCC Standards Committee Members, and one or more Scrutineers.
All nominations for new candidates for election as Officers must be made by a Proposer and Seconder who will be Adult members, and the prior consent of the nominee must be obtained in writing.
Any member who is nominated as an Officer of the Club must have been a member of the RVCC at the time of the nomination and have been a member for the preceding three years. Please be aware that the positions are for two and a half years, because of the early ballot you should not allow yourself to be nominated unless you are certain you will be able to serve for the entire term.
The names of all new nominees should be sent to the Secretary by the closing date for nominations, which will be announced in the Cavy Press and which will give at least 4 weeks notice of the date for closure of nominations.
General Executive Members
The Executive will transact all business of the Club, settle all disputes or any questions not presented in the rules. They must be contactable and in communication with the chair and maintaining club business.
President
The President is responsible for Club leadership, presides at the AGM and represents the Club in all official Club business. The President is responsible for making sure that the Executive follows the rules and provides guidance and direction. The President is a voting member of the Executive.
Chairman
The Chairman is responsible for leading the Executive. They make sure that the Club is running smoothly and effectively and provides support to the Club. They are responsible for Chairing the Executive and organizing the Executive meetings. The Chairman ensures that the Standards Committee is functioning properly and that there is full participation within the Executive as a whole. The Chairman is in charge of making sure all relevant matters are discussed and effective decisions for the club are made and carried. The Chair does not vote unless there is a tie.
Secretary/Treasurer
The Secretary/Treasurer's role is to run the stock shows and monitor point shows, they are responsible for making sure that the points are calculated, rosettes, awards, award cards and trophies are given to members and all finances related to club business. They maintain a membership list and are responsible for the AGM minutes and Executive Committee minutes. They are responsible for the handbook and the bi-annual ballot. They are also a voting member of the Executive but have the added responsibility of attending every stock show unless they find a stand-in. It is the Secretary's responsibility that the stock shows are staffed. The Secretary is a voting member of the Executive. There is no travel stipend available for shows.
Club Judges
Fifteen Club Judges will be elected biennially by postal ballot, judges to be unique Guide Standard breeds, Full Standard breeds (without a specialist breed club) and serious experimental New/Emerging breeds (Non-Standardised) breeders or past breeders and members of the Club. All existing Judges will automatically be included on the ballot unless the Secretary is notified in writing to the contrary. All nominations for new candidates for election as Judges must be made by a Proposer and Seconder who will be Adult members, and the prior consent of the nominee must be obtained in writing.
All nominations for new candidates for election as Judges must have been a member of the RVCC at the time of the nomination and have been a member for the preceding five years; unless such member has previously been elected as a Club Judge, in which case the period of membership must be at least 3 years including the current year. All Club Judge nominees MUST be familiar with guide/breed/notes of all breeds under the RVCC umbrella. This information is very important when judging the large variety of breeds that the RVCC is responsible for.
Please be aware that the positions are for two and a half years because of the early ballot and you should not allow yourself to be nominated unless you are certain you will be able to serve for the entire term. In addition judges need to be flexible and serve the club. They must be willing to judge at least one show during the elected year.
Standards Committee Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Standards Committee are to formally review all breeds under the RVCC umbrella. The status of all NEB and Guide Standard varieties should be formally reviewed by the Standards Committee at intervals of no longer than two years, and recommendations made to the Executive Committee for any changes that might be required. In addition, the Standards Committee is responsible for the Assessment Classes. Therefore, it is important for individuals to have some knowledge of genetics as this is important in understanding new potential breeds and be able to comment on the background and objectives of the breed presented for assessment. The Standards Committee is responsible for maintaining contact with members of the various breeds, informing them of any potential changes, and writing up a report for the annual BCC meeting. Once the committee is elected they will vote a chair of this committee who will be responsible for making sure that members are contacted, breed reports are written and a final report is completed to be presented to the BCC for the annual October meeting.
nomination-information-2018.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |
You can download an application form below.
nomination-application.docx | |
File Size: | 26 kb |
File Type: | docx |
September 2017
Dorte Roeper has now taken over as Standards Committee Coordinator. In order to ensure appropriate consideration of all matters to do with RVCC breeds, including their standards and the way they are judged, any questions, problems, concerns or ideas should be sent to Dorte at [email protected]. This is the ONLY official channel for these matters to be raised.
May 2017
The AGM for the RVCC had to be moved from the Selston venue to the Stafford show. So our AGM will be on July 15th at the NCC combined stock show. We only have the room for one hour so we will start the AGM promptly at 12:00 and end at 1:00. Members are free to bring their lunch. Please forward any AGM items to the RV mail address for consideration. We will be celebrating our 50th year and there will be cake at the RV stand. Handbooks are currently being printed and will be available at the stock show. Unfortunately we do not have funds to post handbooks so members will need to pick them up at stock shows.
Please make a note that referring to RV's is a category similar to Self and Non-self - the RV category includes the NEB and Guide Standard. If secretaries and judges reporting in Cavies could please refer to the group such as Blues in Guide Standard rather than RV that would be helpful and clear to which category they are classed in.
We have updated our show schedule so please make sure that you check the schedule - there are no longer any NEB AOV classes - these have been taken by the informal Assessment class. Any cavy without BCC approved notes cannot be entered into a show and are only eligible for Assessment classes at RVCC stock shows and approved NCC stock shows. With any change there are always a few bumps - we realized that under NCC rules all cavies must be entered into the show. So secretaries should charge a £1 for all cavies entered into the Assessment class. For penning fees the same prices should be applied to cavies in the assessment class.
Our next shows will be Cumbria on June 11, and the South West Championship show on June 25th.
Pam Ramsden, Secretary
Please make a note that referring to RV's is a category similar to Self and Non-self - the RV category includes the NEB and Guide Standard. If secretaries and judges reporting in Cavies could please refer to the group such as Blues in Guide Standard rather than RV that would be helpful and clear to which category they are classed in.
We have updated our show schedule so please make sure that you check the schedule - there are no longer any NEB AOV classes - these have been taken by the informal Assessment class. Any cavy without BCC approved notes cannot be entered into a show and are only eligible for Assessment classes at RVCC stock shows and approved NCC stock shows. With any change there are always a few bumps - we realized that under NCC rules all cavies must be entered into the show. So secretaries should charge a £1 for all cavies entered into the Assessment class. For penning fees the same prices should be applied to cavies in the assessment class.
Our next shows will be Cumbria on June 11, and the South West Championship show on June 25th.
Pam Ramsden, Secretary
March 2017
The RVCC continues to go from strength to strength. Our AGM was scheduled to be at the Selston venue on May 7th, however the venue is undergoing renovations which may not be complete by the May 7th show - so rather than wait and it not be available the executive committee have decided to move it to the NCC combined Stock Show on July 15th. This facility will be able to easily accommodate a large number of members.
The Executive Committee have decided to purchase and dedicate three perpetual trophies - each dedicated to a long term fancier(s) who were determined by the Committee to have made a significant impact to the fancy and specifically the RVCC. So we would like to announce that the perpetual trophy for Full Standard has been dedicated to Mithril Stud, the Guide Standard trophy dedicated to Ken Lomas and the NEB to be dedicated to Ted Brearley. We have invited either their families or themselves to come and present the trophies. So please join us in this celebration of dedication to the fancy and our acknowledgment of their contribution to our club.
Memberships will be past due by the time Cavies magazine will publish these notes so I hope everyone gets their memberships paid. The handbook is in the process and the very last day to get your advert in the magazine or your contribution is April 30th as I will be sending it for publication.
The Standards Committee is currently in the process of evaluating all of the breeds under the RV umbrella - if you have any comments or suggestions please send them to the secretary. You do not have to be an exhibitor or breeder to send comments but you MUST be an RVCC member. You can send any comments to our email address [email protected] all emails will be acknowledged.
During our first executive meeting we decided to create an "assessment class" for cavies that are in the process of development and that do not yet have approved guidance notes. This was approved within the RVCC for all RVCC stock shows and has now been approved for all NCC shows to begin April 2017. The rationale behind this was to create a basis for logical development of new varieties through the life-cycle to Full Standard. Our guidelines are as follows:
“The RVCC should support only those breeds that it believes have the ultimate potential to develop to Full Standard status. In order to effect this, appropriate Guidance Notes (for NEBs), Guide Standards and Full Standards will be formulated by the Standards Committee, after appropriate consultation with breeders of the variety, and then presented to the Executive Committee before submission to the BCC.
The status of all NEB and Guide Standard varieties should be formally reviewed by the Standards Committee at intervals of no longer than two years, and recommendations made to the Executive Committee for any changes that might be required. In normal circumstances a period of at least two years but no more than five would be expected to elapse between the approval of Guidance Notes for an NEB and a proposal to the BCC to move to Guide Standard. Likewise, at least two years but no more than five will be expected to elapse between the granting of Guide Standard status and a recommendation to move to Full Standard.”
“In addition, NEB classes at RVCC shows should be confined to varieties for which there are Guidance Notes agreed by the RVCC Standards and Executive Committees. These Guidance Notes should state in outline the genetic basis for the variety and the significant features for breeding and judging it. This regulation will also be recommended to the BCC, NCC and SCC to take effect in other shows.
Until such time as such a Guidance Note is agreed, new varieties will be confined to ‘Assessment Classes’ that will be put on at each RVCC Show, in which exhibitors are expected to explain the background and objectives of the breed and the judge can comment constructively on its potential. Those members of the Standards Committee that are in attendance will also be expected to review exhibits shown in Assessment classes. This will allow early identification of varieties with (or lacking) the potential to develop further, such that, where appropriate, Guidance Notes can be produced at an earlier stage.”
This proposal was approved by the recent NCC AGM and was approved to be implemented at the three main stock shows plus the AGM show. The new assessment class is NOT another class where a judge decides the best entry but instead is intended as an assessment where each exhibit will be reviewed and discussed informally. At this assessment class other judges as well as standard committee members can attend and are also invited to express their views so that both breeders and the RVCC Standards Committee can gain a better idea of the breed's potential and possible directions for the new cavy. After the assessment class the judge will provide feedback to the secretary of the RVCC and where possible include this feedback in CAVIES. No other NCC affiliated club can put on assessment classes without the express approval of the RVCC so that we can insure that individuals from the Standards Committee are in attendance to provide feedback.
NEB classes will only be open to cavies that have guidance notes that have been approved and accepted. These changes we believe are for the benefit of the cavy fancy as the RVCC wants to discourage haphazard breeding and showing and to encourage our members to be more focused and serious about their breeding experiments and the new breeds they are trying to develop. Our main goal is to nurture new breeds and exhibitors alike and to prepare these new cavies to reach full standard status while at the same time to not encourage cavies with limited potential to compete in NEB or Guide Standard classes indefinitely with no goal or purpose.
Our next point show will be Aril 22nd at the Dunfermline Rabbit & Cavy Club. Our next Stock show will be May 7th at Selston & Sherwood Cavy Club. Our judges for this stock show will be Caroline Smith for Guide Standard and Nikki Matthews for NEB/Full. An assessment class will be at this show.
We will have RVCC mugs and t-shirts at the show. I hope to see you there!
Pam Ramsden, Secretary
The Executive Committee have decided to purchase and dedicate three perpetual trophies - each dedicated to a long term fancier(s) who were determined by the Committee to have made a significant impact to the fancy and specifically the RVCC. So we would like to announce that the perpetual trophy for Full Standard has been dedicated to Mithril Stud, the Guide Standard trophy dedicated to Ken Lomas and the NEB to be dedicated to Ted Brearley. We have invited either their families or themselves to come and present the trophies. So please join us in this celebration of dedication to the fancy and our acknowledgment of their contribution to our club.
Memberships will be past due by the time Cavies magazine will publish these notes so I hope everyone gets their memberships paid. The handbook is in the process and the very last day to get your advert in the magazine or your contribution is April 30th as I will be sending it for publication.
The Standards Committee is currently in the process of evaluating all of the breeds under the RV umbrella - if you have any comments or suggestions please send them to the secretary. You do not have to be an exhibitor or breeder to send comments but you MUST be an RVCC member. You can send any comments to our email address [email protected] all emails will be acknowledged.
During our first executive meeting we decided to create an "assessment class" for cavies that are in the process of development and that do not yet have approved guidance notes. This was approved within the RVCC for all RVCC stock shows and has now been approved for all NCC shows to begin April 2017. The rationale behind this was to create a basis for logical development of new varieties through the life-cycle to Full Standard. Our guidelines are as follows:
“The RVCC should support only those breeds that it believes have the ultimate potential to develop to Full Standard status. In order to effect this, appropriate Guidance Notes (for NEBs), Guide Standards and Full Standards will be formulated by the Standards Committee, after appropriate consultation with breeders of the variety, and then presented to the Executive Committee before submission to the BCC.
The status of all NEB and Guide Standard varieties should be formally reviewed by the Standards Committee at intervals of no longer than two years, and recommendations made to the Executive Committee for any changes that might be required. In normal circumstances a period of at least two years but no more than five would be expected to elapse between the approval of Guidance Notes for an NEB and a proposal to the BCC to move to Guide Standard. Likewise, at least two years but no more than five will be expected to elapse between the granting of Guide Standard status and a recommendation to move to Full Standard.”
“In addition, NEB classes at RVCC shows should be confined to varieties for which there are Guidance Notes agreed by the RVCC Standards and Executive Committees. These Guidance Notes should state in outline the genetic basis for the variety and the significant features for breeding and judging it. This regulation will also be recommended to the BCC, NCC and SCC to take effect in other shows.
Until such time as such a Guidance Note is agreed, new varieties will be confined to ‘Assessment Classes’ that will be put on at each RVCC Show, in which exhibitors are expected to explain the background and objectives of the breed and the judge can comment constructively on its potential. Those members of the Standards Committee that are in attendance will also be expected to review exhibits shown in Assessment classes. This will allow early identification of varieties with (or lacking) the potential to develop further, such that, where appropriate, Guidance Notes can be produced at an earlier stage.”
This proposal was approved by the recent NCC AGM and was approved to be implemented at the three main stock shows plus the AGM show. The new assessment class is NOT another class where a judge decides the best entry but instead is intended as an assessment where each exhibit will be reviewed and discussed informally. At this assessment class other judges as well as standard committee members can attend and are also invited to express their views so that both breeders and the RVCC Standards Committee can gain a better idea of the breed's potential and possible directions for the new cavy. After the assessment class the judge will provide feedback to the secretary of the RVCC and where possible include this feedback in CAVIES. No other NCC affiliated club can put on assessment classes without the express approval of the RVCC so that we can insure that individuals from the Standards Committee are in attendance to provide feedback.
NEB classes will only be open to cavies that have guidance notes that have been approved and accepted. These changes we believe are for the benefit of the cavy fancy as the RVCC wants to discourage haphazard breeding and showing and to encourage our members to be more focused and serious about their breeding experiments and the new breeds they are trying to develop. Our main goal is to nurture new breeds and exhibitors alike and to prepare these new cavies to reach full standard status while at the same time to not encourage cavies with limited potential to compete in NEB or Guide Standard classes indefinitely with no goal or purpose.
Our next point show will be Aril 22nd at the Dunfermline Rabbit & Cavy Club. Our next Stock show will be May 7th at Selston & Sherwood Cavy Club. Our judges for this stock show will be Caroline Smith for Guide Standard and Nikki Matthews for NEB/Full. An assessment class will be at this show.
We will have RVCC mugs and t-shirts at the show. I hope to see you there!
Pam Ramsden, Secretary
Mugs and t-shirts will be available on the club stand along with other merchandise, helping to support the club!! Mugs £5, t-shirts £8.
February 2017
The RVCC have had a fantastic start to the 2017 year. This is our 50th Anniversary year and we hope that all our members join with us to celebrate this historic year. Our first stock show was at Doncaster and was very successful. Thank you to Dorte Roeper for judging guide standard and David Collier for judging full standard and NEB's. Congrats to our winners: Alston & Joyce for full standard - satin, Alston & Joyce for guide standard - blue and Aurora Cavies for a Californian. Our next stock show will be April 9th at Birmingham Cavy Club, our judges will be Paul Conway for guide standard and Lisa Leach for NEB and full standard. We are finalizing the handbook if anyone would like to have their stud details published in the handbook, half page ads are £10 and full page ads are £20. Cheques should be made to the RVCC and electronic versions of the ad can be can be sent to the email [email protected] - we also have RVCC merchandise - t-shirts, mugs and calendars. Our committees are now in full working order and we are asking any members who are interested in Ridgebacks, Bicolour, Tricolour, Brindle or Tortoiseshell to submit their comments to the RVCC email. It is the standard committee's intention to review these breeds at this time to prepare a report for the AGM. Now is the time to let the committee know what your thoughts, feelings and advice for these breeds. The executive committee had their first bi-annual meeting at Doncaster. At this meeting it was decided to create a new assessment class to help with the development of new varieties. The NEB classes at RVCC shows will be confined to varieties for which there are guidance notes agreed by the RVCC standards and BCC. Until guidance notes are agreed, new varieties will be confined to assessment classes in which exhibitors are expected to explain the background and objectives of the breed and the judge can comment constructively on its potential. Any members of the standard committee that are in attendance will be expected to review exhibits shown in these assessment classes. These new assessment classes will allow early identification of varieties with (or lacking) the potential to develop further, so exhibitors as well as the standard committee and RV judges can be involved in the development. The assessment class is NOT another class where the exhibit is judged but instead is reviewed and discussed. On a note of clarification - Satinized and crested Californians should be judged in NEB AOV because they are judged on both crest/satinization but also Californian markings which makes them NEB. The Minipli was evaluated by the BCC and at that time it was decided that they would not be supported. Until exhibitors contact the standard committee they are not at present eligible to be shown in the assessment classes as it has been previously decided by the BCC that they are not currently a viable breed in their current state. Minipli exhibitors are encouraged to contact the standard committee and review their current breeding and genetic plans for re-evaluation.
Memberships are now due with the directions and forms on our webpage.
Thanks
Pam Ramsden, Secretary
Memberships are now due with the directions and forms on our webpage.
Thanks
Pam Ramsden, Secretary
RVCC Results 2017-2018
We had a 63% return rate - the question of having point shows was carried and these will be announced at a later date.
President: Ann Rolph
Chairman: Dorte Roeper
Secretary/Treasurer: Pam Ramsden
BCC Representative: Pam Ramsden
BCC Deputy Rep: Caroline Smith
General Committee: (8)
Aaron Barnicott, Nikki Matthews, Sue Ford, Anthony Oakden, David Collier, Lisa Leach,
Pete Wardman, Gerry Harvey
Standard Committee: (6)
Pam Ramsden, Caroline Smith, David Collier, Jan Alston, Dorte Roeper, Pete Wardman
RVCC Judging Panel: (15)
Aaron Barnicott, David Collier, Betty Crick, Jme Eglington, Oliver Joyce, Nikki Matthews, Dorte Roeper, Su Schofield, Graham Thorpe, Pete Wardman, Paul Conway, Kathy Dudding, Gerry Harvey, Lisa Leach, Caroline Smith
Thank you to all members who participated in the voting process and a big thank you to all who previously served on the committees.
Below is a copy of the full results with the number of votes.
We had a 63% return rate - the question of having point shows was carried and these will be announced at a later date.
President: Ann Rolph
Chairman: Dorte Roeper
Secretary/Treasurer: Pam Ramsden
BCC Representative: Pam Ramsden
BCC Deputy Rep: Caroline Smith
General Committee: (8)
Aaron Barnicott, Nikki Matthews, Sue Ford, Anthony Oakden, David Collier, Lisa Leach,
Pete Wardman, Gerry Harvey
Standard Committee: (6)
Pam Ramsden, Caroline Smith, David Collier, Jan Alston, Dorte Roeper, Pete Wardman
RVCC Judging Panel: (15)
Aaron Barnicott, David Collier, Betty Crick, Jme Eglington, Oliver Joyce, Nikki Matthews, Dorte Roeper, Su Schofield, Graham Thorpe, Pete Wardman, Paul Conway, Kathy Dudding, Gerry Harvey, Lisa Leach, Caroline Smith
Thank you to all members who participated in the voting process and a big thank you to all who previously served on the committees.
Below is a copy of the full results with the number of votes.
December 2016
Now that the BCC notes have been published - I would like to say a few things in general in the hopes that it will enlighten and provide context.
I will be convening my executive committee and will be letting them know on Friday December 16 - I will expect that everyone on both committees will be active and attend meetings and answer emails – I cannot have people sitting on either committee who are unresponsive – we have a lot to accomplish this year.
I am going to address some of the issues that have been brought up by members. The BCC decisions cannot be overturned or changed. The rules are very clear and I would encourage everyone to read them – the BCC is made up of representatives from every club – who voted and had long discussions on every item. As the secretary of the RVCC I will NOT entertain any conversation to break the rules – go against the BCC ruling or change anything that is contrary to the BCC minutes. So for anyone who believes that your £4.50 gives you the right to tell me as secretary what the RVCC should do in terms of the BCC – don’t bother – you will only become frustrated and angry probably turning to social media to vent. We have no official procedure to go against the BCC – read our rules. If you want to lodge a complaint – the National is where you want to go. Although it will cost you £50 to file. Yes, the executive committee, secretary, chairperson, and standard committee are all placed to represent our member’s – and that INCLUDES the silent ones – although I appreciate the vocal ones – I would remind everyone that there are other voices as well and just because they are not yelling the loudest – doesn’t mean that they are less important. Another minor issue to consider is that just because you have 5 people who have agreed with you on social media – doesn’t mean that you will have that support with the rest of club members.
The next thing is you MUST be a member to have a voice – there are quite a few people who are stating an opinion and haven’t even bothered to pay membership fees. A year’s membership is less than a large special coffee from Costa – and if you are going to entertain us all with “well I stopped years ago because (fill in the blank). I will say - please spare us – well some of us didn’t – we weathered the storm – we are still here – and we are trying to make this a better place. Change and upheaval is always difficult and in a club this size – someone is always going to be unhappy – we don’t need the peanut gallery on the side. What we really need is dedication and commitment.
Every year each breed under the RVCC umbrella are discussed at the BCC annual meeting with the exception of the full standards who remain in the club because they have no other place to go. 2016 was no different than any other year. Just because you haven’t heard much (until recently) doesn’t mean that the RVCC and BCC weren’t having conversations about the various unstandardized breeds.
The RVCC was established for the sole purpose of moving new and emerging breeds (unstandardized) breeds through a process to reach full standard. We were not originally designed to be a stand-alone club like the self or the Agouti. However, as breeds attained a full standard and there were not enough members to create a stand-alone club they remained in the RVCC. Under the rules nothing stops a group of people from creating a “satin club” and having the satins move from under the RV umbrella. The RVCC have helped two clubs become established and successful and many breeds have moved through the RVCC to attain full standards.
The NEB category has a history - at the end of 2004 there was a removal of the unstandardized section which then became the New Emerging Breeds (NEB) this "section" was specifically designed to help breeders showcase their new breeds and allow them to be shown in main shows and RV shows - previously these NEB could only be shown at RV stock shows and few awards/cards/rosettes/rewards were provided. When the changes to the category was created more rosettes and cards could be awarded which made exhibitors in this section very happy.
The category of NEB was created to "showcase" serious breeding experiments in the hope that they would be further developed and move to a breed that would eventually be recognised by the BCC and attain full standard - as that is what any NEB would hope to qualify for. Being a NEB never meant that they would ever automatically receive full standard - and it was not based on the number of people that showed - or the exhibitors involved or anything else and was solely based on the possibility of a new breed being created and moving through the procedure.
Unfortunately due to new exhibitors and a loss of information over the years - this category of NEB appeared to become its own “standard” and lost what it was created for. In the past new breeds were supposed to have contact with the standard committee so that guide notes could be written while they were being developed - these "guide" notes could change over time as the breed was further developed. Once the new developed breed reached a point where the “creators” felt they were ready to move forward they were presented to the standard committee for possible acceptance into the RVCC - the entire basis for presenting three generations is to show the establishment of the breed – as consistent and true breeding. Full standards are written for adults but do make provisions in the side notes if there are differences in younger pigs or between boars/sows – for example boars being harsher coated than sows. All of this is what the standards committee does – once the committee is satisfied and members have voted – they take the proposal to the AGM for the membership to vote – once this is done then it goes to the BCC for a decision. The BCC can either a) accept the guidance notes as it stands b) accept with revisions c) reject.
Exhibitors are supposed to work WITH the standards committee not just show pigs year after year without being recognised as being a breed that the RVCC would support - which is the case of a few NEB that have been shown. What has happened is that members believe that it is their “right” to show cavies in this category indefinitely – this was NEVER the case and further cavies without the first process are not considered to be under the RVCC umbrella. They belong to no club – and technically have no support and fall DIRECTLY under the BCC rules.
In the past the genetics were not required but with all things time marches on - and I believe we have a better understanding of genetics so NEB's are required as of this year to provide the standard committee with the genetic formula as to how this NEB was created as well as what is hoped to be accomplished by this NEB - why the developer feels this is a new breed and what future goals/aims are proposed. The reason for all this documentation is important; first that this breed can be assessed as to whether this would be a variety that the RVCC will support and second, to allow the standard committee to guide them in the development.
The case of the minipli is a sad situation and many exhibitors are left feeling let down - I feel that it is a lack of understand on a) what the NEB status really is and b) why they needed to present the cavy to the standard committee who could have guided them through the process or let them know the problems.
The minipli is based on faulty information – you cannot have two long haired cavies produce a mid-length coat – and although people told me that they were using an “old fashion” lunkarya in the genetic breeding – what I would have said and did say was – yes – but the reason WHY we lunkarya people no longer use those for showing is because they are NOT mid-length in fact what happens is that the coat is so harsh that it “snaps off” about mid-length leaving you with the impression that it is mid-length but instead it is just a damaged long coated cavy. The genetics for a long coated animal remains. Basically the breeders needed to go back to the genetics and introduce something with a shorter coat and then select back animals – but this would take years – and perhaps not work. It would require a great deal of time and space – and many test experiments to get the desired length of coat.
I am sure exhibitors asked themselves - why should I go through all that work when I can show them like they are right now? I am winning red cards and rosettes? And to a certain extent exhibitors were right – they were showing the cavies – and in some cases winning – until the BCC evaluated these cavies because in reality the RVCC weren’t responsible for them – by not presenting themselves to the standard committee even after being asked on many different occasions – the BCC made the decision because technically the BCC was the “club” responsible for them at this point. Had they followed the procedure the RVCC club could have intervened on their behalf. At this point- it will be very difficult to fix the issues with this situation.
The next section pertains to the minipli but also to any other new breeds - What is “true-breeding” vs. “cross-breeding”. A few people have made these statements in regards to the minipli with some saying all cavies are cross-breeds. I think a brief explanation is important.
True breeding when expressed in genetics means that in this case the cavy – must be homozygous for every trait – so once the genes that you want are found – for example – the fox cavy – all of the characteristics are present after you have narrowed down the genes and selected for only those particular genes. An understanding of dominant vs. recessive is very helpful. Dominant genes only require one copy from a parent to have the trait – for example crests are dominate – this doesn’t mean you cavy will have a “good” crest – that is controlled by other genes – but that the crest will be present. A recessive gene requires the same gene from both parents – the colour black in animals is always recessive – you can tell visibly when an animal only has one because although they will be black – it isn’t that true shiny black and instead is more of a dull black. With a recessive gene more time must be used in narrowing down the genetics. This involves something called “line breeding” which is breeding animals that are closely related genetically – and this must be done to isolate genes and bring out the desirable traits. Many fanciers turn their noses in disgust because often it involves mating a “father” to a “daughter” – although animals do not make this distinction – people do and so will be critical of this type of breeding. It does have some issues – and should be undertaken with care. Yes we do out crosses – for a variety of reasons – some to improve type, in others like the roan which has been mentioned – is a “true-breeding” cavy – if you breed roan to roan – you will get 50% roans, 25% solids and 25% whites. The whites are usually born with genetic issues because of the genes involved – the genes are linked to other genes that are adversely affected – causing blindness, a varying degree of mouth problems and deafness. This is consistent in other animals – dogs for example. So in order to avoid these whites – roans are bred to solids – which changes the percentage of roaned animals. But they are NOT crossbreds.
When discussing the minipli you will have one dominant rexoid gene and one recessive rexoid gene – and two longhaired genes. When you breed these pairs of genes you will only get crossbreds at the first generation – one dominant rexoid and one recessive rexoid – which is the creation of the minipli that does have characteristics of both parents – but it is genetically impossible to be mid-length – When you breed two minipli’s together – you will end up with animals that could be Lunkarya – could be alpaca – and could be the desired minipli – but without testing the genetics which is which? The characteristics are so similar that these animals are difficult to distinguish – IF the minipli exhibitors had bothered to consult the standard committee this would have been explained – Just because you imported what you “thought” were 25 generation minipli’s how do you know what they truly are? They could be anything. It is not uncommon for you to have what you thought was a purebred only to find out after breeding that something entirely questionable “popped out”.
Did the BCC need to have examples at the meeting – no and why would they when the exhibitors did not even bother with the standard committee – the genetics is all wrong – on the basis of cross-breeding it is felt that they could endanger two cavies – the alpaca and the upcoming Lunkarya. In fact they have been banned in many other countries on the basis of this and the fact that they are not true breeding, and are distinctive enough to be a breed. France is the only country that has a standard for them.
IF minipli exhibitors want to persevere with this breed – they will need to seek advice from the standard committee – however they will need to change them substantially before they are presentable. The BCC ruling will stand – and I as secretary will not award a card or rosette even if a judge choses to ignore the ruling and place them first in a NEB class. As I said before I will not go against a BCC ruling. You as a member can ask at the RVCC AGM to have this reversed – but the RVCC is not in charge of the BCC – what might be voted for – will still have to go to the BCC. Minipli’s are not even a currently recognized breed at this point by the RVCC and you are attempting to go directly against advice. But as many have cried out that the club is for members – as your representative to the BCC I will most certainly put your proposal forward – as your secretary I will not give any awards to a discouraged breed.
The next decision I will discuss is the ridgeback - I have to be honest I knew very little about the genetics of the ridgeback – so I had to do a bit of reading. The ridgeback gene appears to be a bit complicated but dominant and was a result of a mutation. In genetics we call this epistasis – or that one gene affects another so there are other factors involved in the development of a good ridge. When breeding you end up with four variations a) ridge, b) smooth and what I call peaked/abby like ones. The peaked ones I suspect are the ones that are causing the breed difficulty because they look like bad abbys and what appears to be a rosette – but instead are just the genetics of the mutation that are flatter. What I believe is happening with exhibitors who do not understand the genetics of the breed – see these and think the ridgeback are coming from Abbys and breed them to abbys in an attempt to improve the ridges. This is probably what is showing up at shows – and will have rosettes’ and coat flaws. What probably should be happening is in order to really lock in the gene – selective line breeding – and people breeding for ridges and only ridges.
Although there was a discussion about the number of breeders – and yes there are more than one – but sadly the majority are not members of the RVCC. Again supporting a breed but not supporting a club – especially when they are supporting a breed that has not achieved a standard. The Ridgeback gained guide standard in 2004 and the reality is that nothing has really happened since and in fact there has been a decline in quality. The BCC made the decision to place them in NEB with the hope that good quality ridgebacks will be produced – serious exhibitors’ and breeders will become interested and respond. Or perhaps a mistake was made giving them guide standard in the first place and they are not a viable breed.
A question has been “Why weren’t people consulted?” Well actually that is what the AGM is for and a standard committee report was provided. The AGM is the time for members to come and discuss various agenda items – 34 people attended. I collected for the BCC a report on all the breeds – the number of REGISTERED members – who had shown what cavies at what RVCC stock shows. I don’t have information on other shows – so I can’t comment on non-members and non-RVCC shows. So actually you were consulted – the people complaining are people who didn’t attend. Not one single person sent me any information on the ridgeback – and before anyone says they didn’t know they should – other people who show breeds in guide standard did. In fact I was able to help out the magpie/Harlequins and get the wording changed on their guide standard so it doesn’t have the word “roaning” to describe the intermingling of hair.
If you are disappointed about the ridgeback there are two comments –1) yes, there are a few good examples and a few breeders – but when every single judge at the BCC makes a comment about the poor quality and they are in agreement that Ridgebacks are being shown without complete ridges – the question should be asked – is every single person in that room wrong? Or is there a problem with the breed that needs to be examined. 2) If there are not improving – they will never attain full standard – so why SHOULD they remain in guide standard? If the objective is to move them to full standard, clearly the objective is not being met.
If a breed is in guide standard exhibitors should be working especially hard to attain full standard – so in my opinion this is NOT a BCC issue – this is an exhibitor issue. Were they demoted? I don’t see it as a demotion – instead I see that they need some work – and without a “wake-up call” breeders would have probably just carried on and then 25 years later can’t figure out why they are still in the RV club and not attained full standard. But it is possible that by this time they have been so badly bred they don’t even exist and are never shown.
No exhibitor “owns” a breed whether you created it or improved it or bought it from another country. It will be subjected to the same procedure – As someone who had some of the very first lunkarya in the UK - consistently showed them and bred them for over 10 years – supplied countless people with stock – you would think that I would have some say in how they were presented – I wasn’t – otherwise they would be brushed out – people come and go – the breed should carry on. It should have a standard that isn’t reliant on one or two exhibitors as well as not dependent on what people have in their sheds.
My suggestion is to work on the ridgeback – get more people involved in the breed – show your best – not something that doesn’t meet the guide standard. There is an opportunity to rewrite the notes if necessary – the standard committee will work with members of the RVCC who show this breed and present a plan to the BCC in October 2017 – meanwhile they will be shown in their own category under the NEB.
The Swiss – I collected and collated all the information that the various Swiss breeders took the time to send me. I put it into the report for the BCC – currently the Swiss are being shown at a variety of lengths – short/medium/ long a standard cannot be based on this. So a decision had to be made – clearly what people had in their sheds is the length of coat they wanted in the guide standards. The problem here was that none of the Swiss exhibitors could agree – there was not a consensus. I received 17 emails/facebook messages – and there were all mixed between short/long/medium. So all of this information was reported to the BCC – I was asked to bring examples of coat length – and that is exactly what I did. I don’t think it would have been appropriate to have Swiss people there – if there were 8 Swiss people at the meeting I suspect there would have been 10 suggestions of coat length. Again I would say that each and every person were judges – and have judged Swiss – so the question was coat length – and they did not base a decision on one U/5 Swiss. Again – the determination is for guidance – the Swiss does not have a full standard – it might be that after 2 years exhibitors decide that the coat length is inappropriate and take it back to the standard committee to be taken back to the BCC for a re-evaluation. What I do agree with is that Swiss in order to go forward MUST be shown with consistency.
The tricolour/bicolour/brindle/tortishell – were all placed in guide standard so that their standards could be relaxed – which is a benefit to everyone and the cavy. Although what was written is possible – the likelihood of matching the standard is remote – so a well-marked animal under the current standards will have a difficult time placing – however if the standards are relaxed so they are not so specific about areas of colour – they will not be as difficult to breed – and perhaps generate more people interested in these breeds.
Finally, I would encourage everyone to read the rules – for both the BCC and the RVCC – just because we don’t “like” something doesn’t mean we simply disregard them. There are mechanisms in place and procedures to be followed. The RVCC is central to new and emerging breeds – serves a function in the fancy and has an important job to do. I disagree that the club has been weak in any way – we perhaps have been lax in some respects in the past years, but hopefully that will change.
I will NOT allow the executive committee to breech the rules or dissolve into a “bitch fest” we have other things on the agenda to accomplish this year. I want the fancy to grow and to encourage members – but I will not tolerate chaos or constant bemoaning – take it somewhere else – I don’t need it and neither does the club. Your £4.50 isn’t worth the trouble. We do represent our members – but we are also the caretakers of the club.
This is our 50th anniversary and that is something to celebrate. I personally would like to focus on that and getting the club up and running and focus on doing things like having a great handbook and having a good showing year.
Pam Ramsden
Now that the BCC notes have been published - I would like to say a few things in general in the hopes that it will enlighten and provide context.
I will be convening my executive committee and will be letting them know on Friday December 16 - I will expect that everyone on both committees will be active and attend meetings and answer emails – I cannot have people sitting on either committee who are unresponsive – we have a lot to accomplish this year.
I am going to address some of the issues that have been brought up by members. The BCC decisions cannot be overturned or changed. The rules are very clear and I would encourage everyone to read them – the BCC is made up of representatives from every club – who voted and had long discussions on every item. As the secretary of the RVCC I will NOT entertain any conversation to break the rules – go against the BCC ruling or change anything that is contrary to the BCC minutes. So for anyone who believes that your £4.50 gives you the right to tell me as secretary what the RVCC should do in terms of the BCC – don’t bother – you will only become frustrated and angry probably turning to social media to vent. We have no official procedure to go against the BCC – read our rules. If you want to lodge a complaint – the National is where you want to go. Although it will cost you £50 to file. Yes, the executive committee, secretary, chairperson, and standard committee are all placed to represent our member’s – and that INCLUDES the silent ones – although I appreciate the vocal ones – I would remind everyone that there are other voices as well and just because they are not yelling the loudest – doesn’t mean that they are less important. Another minor issue to consider is that just because you have 5 people who have agreed with you on social media – doesn’t mean that you will have that support with the rest of club members.
The next thing is you MUST be a member to have a voice – there are quite a few people who are stating an opinion and haven’t even bothered to pay membership fees. A year’s membership is less than a large special coffee from Costa – and if you are going to entertain us all with “well I stopped years ago because (fill in the blank). I will say - please spare us – well some of us didn’t – we weathered the storm – we are still here – and we are trying to make this a better place. Change and upheaval is always difficult and in a club this size – someone is always going to be unhappy – we don’t need the peanut gallery on the side. What we really need is dedication and commitment.
Every year each breed under the RVCC umbrella are discussed at the BCC annual meeting with the exception of the full standards who remain in the club because they have no other place to go. 2016 was no different than any other year. Just because you haven’t heard much (until recently) doesn’t mean that the RVCC and BCC weren’t having conversations about the various unstandardized breeds.
The RVCC was established for the sole purpose of moving new and emerging breeds (unstandardized) breeds through a process to reach full standard. We were not originally designed to be a stand-alone club like the self or the Agouti. However, as breeds attained a full standard and there were not enough members to create a stand-alone club they remained in the RVCC. Under the rules nothing stops a group of people from creating a “satin club” and having the satins move from under the RV umbrella. The RVCC have helped two clubs become established and successful and many breeds have moved through the RVCC to attain full standards.
The NEB category has a history - at the end of 2004 there was a removal of the unstandardized section which then became the New Emerging Breeds (NEB) this "section" was specifically designed to help breeders showcase their new breeds and allow them to be shown in main shows and RV shows - previously these NEB could only be shown at RV stock shows and few awards/cards/rosettes/rewards were provided. When the changes to the category was created more rosettes and cards could be awarded which made exhibitors in this section very happy.
The category of NEB was created to "showcase" serious breeding experiments in the hope that they would be further developed and move to a breed that would eventually be recognised by the BCC and attain full standard - as that is what any NEB would hope to qualify for. Being a NEB never meant that they would ever automatically receive full standard - and it was not based on the number of people that showed - or the exhibitors involved or anything else and was solely based on the possibility of a new breed being created and moving through the procedure.
Unfortunately due to new exhibitors and a loss of information over the years - this category of NEB appeared to become its own “standard” and lost what it was created for. In the past new breeds were supposed to have contact with the standard committee so that guide notes could be written while they were being developed - these "guide" notes could change over time as the breed was further developed. Once the new developed breed reached a point where the “creators” felt they were ready to move forward they were presented to the standard committee for possible acceptance into the RVCC - the entire basis for presenting three generations is to show the establishment of the breed – as consistent and true breeding. Full standards are written for adults but do make provisions in the side notes if there are differences in younger pigs or between boars/sows – for example boars being harsher coated than sows. All of this is what the standards committee does – once the committee is satisfied and members have voted – they take the proposal to the AGM for the membership to vote – once this is done then it goes to the BCC for a decision. The BCC can either a) accept the guidance notes as it stands b) accept with revisions c) reject.
Exhibitors are supposed to work WITH the standards committee not just show pigs year after year without being recognised as being a breed that the RVCC would support - which is the case of a few NEB that have been shown. What has happened is that members believe that it is their “right” to show cavies in this category indefinitely – this was NEVER the case and further cavies without the first process are not considered to be under the RVCC umbrella. They belong to no club – and technically have no support and fall DIRECTLY under the BCC rules.
In the past the genetics were not required but with all things time marches on - and I believe we have a better understanding of genetics so NEB's are required as of this year to provide the standard committee with the genetic formula as to how this NEB was created as well as what is hoped to be accomplished by this NEB - why the developer feels this is a new breed and what future goals/aims are proposed. The reason for all this documentation is important; first that this breed can be assessed as to whether this would be a variety that the RVCC will support and second, to allow the standard committee to guide them in the development.
The case of the minipli is a sad situation and many exhibitors are left feeling let down - I feel that it is a lack of understand on a) what the NEB status really is and b) why they needed to present the cavy to the standard committee who could have guided them through the process or let them know the problems.
The minipli is based on faulty information – you cannot have two long haired cavies produce a mid-length coat – and although people told me that they were using an “old fashion” lunkarya in the genetic breeding – what I would have said and did say was – yes – but the reason WHY we lunkarya people no longer use those for showing is because they are NOT mid-length in fact what happens is that the coat is so harsh that it “snaps off” about mid-length leaving you with the impression that it is mid-length but instead it is just a damaged long coated cavy. The genetics for a long coated animal remains. Basically the breeders needed to go back to the genetics and introduce something with a shorter coat and then select back animals – but this would take years – and perhaps not work. It would require a great deal of time and space – and many test experiments to get the desired length of coat.
I am sure exhibitors asked themselves - why should I go through all that work when I can show them like they are right now? I am winning red cards and rosettes? And to a certain extent exhibitors were right – they were showing the cavies – and in some cases winning – until the BCC evaluated these cavies because in reality the RVCC weren’t responsible for them – by not presenting themselves to the standard committee even after being asked on many different occasions – the BCC made the decision because technically the BCC was the “club” responsible for them at this point. Had they followed the procedure the RVCC club could have intervened on their behalf. At this point- it will be very difficult to fix the issues with this situation.
The next section pertains to the minipli but also to any other new breeds - What is “true-breeding” vs. “cross-breeding”. A few people have made these statements in regards to the minipli with some saying all cavies are cross-breeds. I think a brief explanation is important.
True breeding when expressed in genetics means that in this case the cavy – must be homozygous for every trait – so once the genes that you want are found – for example – the fox cavy – all of the characteristics are present after you have narrowed down the genes and selected for only those particular genes. An understanding of dominant vs. recessive is very helpful. Dominant genes only require one copy from a parent to have the trait – for example crests are dominate – this doesn’t mean you cavy will have a “good” crest – that is controlled by other genes – but that the crest will be present. A recessive gene requires the same gene from both parents – the colour black in animals is always recessive – you can tell visibly when an animal only has one because although they will be black – it isn’t that true shiny black and instead is more of a dull black. With a recessive gene more time must be used in narrowing down the genetics. This involves something called “line breeding” which is breeding animals that are closely related genetically – and this must be done to isolate genes and bring out the desirable traits. Many fanciers turn their noses in disgust because often it involves mating a “father” to a “daughter” – although animals do not make this distinction – people do and so will be critical of this type of breeding. It does have some issues – and should be undertaken with care. Yes we do out crosses – for a variety of reasons – some to improve type, in others like the roan which has been mentioned – is a “true-breeding” cavy – if you breed roan to roan – you will get 50% roans, 25% solids and 25% whites. The whites are usually born with genetic issues because of the genes involved – the genes are linked to other genes that are adversely affected – causing blindness, a varying degree of mouth problems and deafness. This is consistent in other animals – dogs for example. So in order to avoid these whites – roans are bred to solids – which changes the percentage of roaned animals. But they are NOT crossbreds.
When discussing the minipli you will have one dominant rexoid gene and one recessive rexoid gene – and two longhaired genes. When you breed these pairs of genes you will only get crossbreds at the first generation – one dominant rexoid and one recessive rexoid – which is the creation of the minipli that does have characteristics of both parents – but it is genetically impossible to be mid-length – When you breed two minipli’s together – you will end up with animals that could be Lunkarya – could be alpaca – and could be the desired minipli – but without testing the genetics which is which? The characteristics are so similar that these animals are difficult to distinguish – IF the minipli exhibitors had bothered to consult the standard committee this would have been explained – Just because you imported what you “thought” were 25 generation minipli’s how do you know what they truly are? They could be anything. It is not uncommon for you to have what you thought was a purebred only to find out after breeding that something entirely questionable “popped out”.
Did the BCC need to have examples at the meeting – no and why would they when the exhibitors did not even bother with the standard committee – the genetics is all wrong – on the basis of cross-breeding it is felt that they could endanger two cavies – the alpaca and the upcoming Lunkarya. In fact they have been banned in many other countries on the basis of this and the fact that they are not true breeding, and are distinctive enough to be a breed. France is the only country that has a standard for them.
IF minipli exhibitors want to persevere with this breed – they will need to seek advice from the standard committee – however they will need to change them substantially before they are presentable. The BCC ruling will stand – and I as secretary will not award a card or rosette even if a judge choses to ignore the ruling and place them first in a NEB class. As I said before I will not go against a BCC ruling. You as a member can ask at the RVCC AGM to have this reversed – but the RVCC is not in charge of the BCC – what might be voted for – will still have to go to the BCC. Minipli’s are not even a currently recognized breed at this point by the RVCC and you are attempting to go directly against advice. But as many have cried out that the club is for members – as your representative to the BCC I will most certainly put your proposal forward – as your secretary I will not give any awards to a discouraged breed.
The next decision I will discuss is the ridgeback - I have to be honest I knew very little about the genetics of the ridgeback – so I had to do a bit of reading. The ridgeback gene appears to be a bit complicated but dominant and was a result of a mutation. In genetics we call this epistasis – or that one gene affects another so there are other factors involved in the development of a good ridge. When breeding you end up with four variations a) ridge, b) smooth and what I call peaked/abby like ones. The peaked ones I suspect are the ones that are causing the breed difficulty because they look like bad abbys and what appears to be a rosette – but instead are just the genetics of the mutation that are flatter. What I believe is happening with exhibitors who do not understand the genetics of the breed – see these and think the ridgeback are coming from Abbys and breed them to abbys in an attempt to improve the ridges. This is probably what is showing up at shows – and will have rosettes’ and coat flaws. What probably should be happening is in order to really lock in the gene – selective line breeding – and people breeding for ridges and only ridges.
Although there was a discussion about the number of breeders – and yes there are more than one – but sadly the majority are not members of the RVCC. Again supporting a breed but not supporting a club – especially when they are supporting a breed that has not achieved a standard. The Ridgeback gained guide standard in 2004 and the reality is that nothing has really happened since and in fact there has been a decline in quality. The BCC made the decision to place them in NEB with the hope that good quality ridgebacks will be produced – serious exhibitors’ and breeders will become interested and respond. Or perhaps a mistake was made giving them guide standard in the first place and they are not a viable breed.
A question has been “Why weren’t people consulted?” Well actually that is what the AGM is for and a standard committee report was provided. The AGM is the time for members to come and discuss various agenda items – 34 people attended. I collected for the BCC a report on all the breeds – the number of REGISTERED members – who had shown what cavies at what RVCC stock shows. I don’t have information on other shows – so I can’t comment on non-members and non-RVCC shows. So actually you were consulted – the people complaining are people who didn’t attend. Not one single person sent me any information on the ridgeback – and before anyone says they didn’t know they should – other people who show breeds in guide standard did. In fact I was able to help out the magpie/Harlequins and get the wording changed on their guide standard so it doesn’t have the word “roaning” to describe the intermingling of hair.
If you are disappointed about the ridgeback there are two comments –1) yes, there are a few good examples and a few breeders – but when every single judge at the BCC makes a comment about the poor quality and they are in agreement that Ridgebacks are being shown without complete ridges – the question should be asked – is every single person in that room wrong? Or is there a problem with the breed that needs to be examined. 2) If there are not improving – they will never attain full standard – so why SHOULD they remain in guide standard? If the objective is to move them to full standard, clearly the objective is not being met.
If a breed is in guide standard exhibitors should be working especially hard to attain full standard – so in my opinion this is NOT a BCC issue – this is an exhibitor issue. Were they demoted? I don’t see it as a demotion – instead I see that they need some work – and without a “wake-up call” breeders would have probably just carried on and then 25 years later can’t figure out why they are still in the RV club and not attained full standard. But it is possible that by this time they have been so badly bred they don’t even exist and are never shown.
No exhibitor “owns” a breed whether you created it or improved it or bought it from another country. It will be subjected to the same procedure – As someone who had some of the very first lunkarya in the UK - consistently showed them and bred them for over 10 years – supplied countless people with stock – you would think that I would have some say in how they were presented – I wasn’t – otherwise they would be brushed out – people come and go – the breed should carry on. It should have a standard that isn’t reliant on one or two exhibitors as well as not dependent on what people have in their sheds.
My suggestion is to work on the ridgeback – get more people involved in the breed – show your best – not something that doesn’t meet the guide standard. There is an opportunity to rewrite the notes if necessary – the standard committee will work with members of the RVCC who show this breed and present a plan to the BCC in October 2017 – meanwhile they will be shown in their own category under the NEB.
The Swiss – I collected and collated all the information that the various Swiss breeders took the time to send me. I put it into the report for the BCC – currently the Swiss are being shown at a variety of lengths – short/medium/ long a standard cannot be based on this. So a decision had to be made – clearly what people had in their sheds is the length of coat they wanted in the guide standards. The problem here was that none of the Swiss exhibitors could agree – there was not a consensus. I received 17 emails/facebook messages – and there were all mixed between short/long/medium. So all of this information was reported to the BCC – I was asked to bring examples of coat length – and that is exactly what I did. I don’t think it would have been appropriate to have Swiss people there – if there were 8 Swiss people at the meeting I suspect there would have been 10 suggestions of coat length. Again I would say that each and every person were judges – and have judged Swiss – so the question was coat length – and they did not base a decision on one U/5 Swiss. Again – the determination is for guidance – the Swiss does not have a full standard – it might be that after 2 years exhibitors decide that the coat length is inappropriate and take it back to the standard committee to be taken back to the BCC for a re-evaluation. What I do agree with is that Swiss in order to go forward MUST be shown with consistency.
The tricolour/bicolour/brindle/tortishell – were all placed in guide standard so that their standards could be relaxed – which is a benefit to everyone and the cavy. Although what was written is possible – the likelihood of matching the standard is remote – so a well-marked animal under the current standards will have a difficult time placing – however if the standards are relaxed so they are not so specific about areas of colour – they will not be as difficult to breed – and perhaps generate more people interested in these breeds.
Finally, I would encourage everyone to read the rules – for both the BCC and the RVCC – just because we don’t “like” something doesn’t mean we simply disregard them. There are mechanisms in place and procedures to be followed. The RVCC is central to new and emerging breeds – serves a function in the fancy and has an important job to do. I disagree that the club has been weak in any way – we perhaps have been lax in some respects in the past years, but hopefully that will change.
I will NOT allow the executive committee to breech the rules or dissolve into a “bitch fest” we have other things on the agenda to accomplish this year. I want the fancy to grow and to encourage members – but I will not tolerate chaos or constant bemoaning – take it somewhere else – I don’t need it and neither does the club. Your £4.50 isn’t worth the trouble. We do represent our members – but we are also the caretakers of the club.
This is our 50th anniversary and that is something to celebrate. I personally would like to focus on that and getting the club up and running and focus on doing things like having a great handbook and having a good showing year.
Pam Ramsden
June, July, August & September 2016
We are now over half way through the year and we have had a significant increase in entries at our shows in particular the NEB section with high entries in the Californian classes. Our first Show was Birmingham with 121 entries and the AGM at Selston had 126 entries and Nene Valley 81. At time of writing these notes and despite the changes in date impacting some of our exhibitors for the SW Championship Show I have been informed that we have 98 entries in this case for me to judge. All entries over 80 the Executive in conjunction with the advertised appointed panel judge consider options to add a second judge (firstly an RVCC Panel Judge that is not due to officiate in 2016, if no RVCC Panel judge is available then a National Cavy Club A panel judge will be appointed). At this time two Show have potential for a high entry being the NCC Show at Stafford, Oliver Joyce is the already assigned judge (and we have a reserve panel judge already confirmed in case entries are high) and the REAL London.
The AGM went ahead with the award of the breed trophies and we have had a change in the points allocation for our shows which covers 2016 and will be on our website and explained in next month’s Cavies Magazine. Discussions were held on various breeds and we are looking forward to moving ahead with the ESCC for the Slate and Blue breeds and we need exhibitors of these breeds to contact the RVCC Standards Committee Coordinator, Pam Ramsden, if you have not already. In addition, members Dorte Roeper and Evelyn van Vliet are active in this area and it is essential that exhibitors get their cavies to ESCC and RVCC Shows to support these breeds advancement. The RVCC Standards Committee has been more active and Pam Ramsden is ongoingly updating the breeds report that she shared at the AGM. Due to a former engagement I will not be able to attend the BCC Meeting in October this year and Pam Ramsden will be representing the RV Club and the deliberations of the RVCC Standards Committee in my absence.
This is an advanced notification that this is a ballot year for the RVCC and all Executive (President, Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer), BCC and Deputy BC Representatives (could be but not necessarily members of the RVCC Standards Committee), General (8) and Standards (6) Committees and judging panel (increased from 12 to 15 as agreed at the 2016 AGM) positions are up for election. Due to the loss of membership records prior to 2015 means that the Club rules of 3 years for a committee appointment and the 5 years for a judging panel appointment are relaxed until the full number of years of membership are available. It is proposed to send the ballot out in early-November so the post holders will be aware and able to start managing the Club from 1st January 2017. In addition to the Committee and Judging Ballot there will also be the ballot for all RVCC Club Shows and these will return to their Area Show allocation (minimum of 7 shows) that was suspended over the past 4 years due to lack of venue offers. Please see RVCC Rules if you need more information any additional shows that are held and not balloted will not have points allocation as detailed in Club rules and as determined by the RVCC Committee. Next is how to do this:
Caroline Smith
The AGM went ahead with the award of the breed trophies and we have had a change in the points allocation for our shows which covers 2016 and will be on our website and explained in next month’s Cavies Magazine. Discussions were held on various breeds and we are looking forward to moving ahead with the ESCC for the Slate and Blue breeds and we need exhibitors of these breeds to contact the RVCC Standards Committee Coordinator, Pam Ramsden, if you have not already. In addition, members Dorte Roeper and Evelyn van Vliet are active in this area and it is essential that exhibitors get their cavies to ESCC and RVCC Shows to support these breeds advancement. The RVCC Standards Committee has been more active and Pam Ramsden is ongoingly updating the breeds report that she shared at the AGM. Due to a former engagement I will not be able to attend the BCC Meeting in October this year and Pam Ramsden will be representing the RV Club and the deliberations of the RVCC Standards Committee in my absence.
This is an advanced notification that this is a ballot year for the RVCC and all Executive (President, Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer), BCC and Deputy BC Representatives (could be but not necessarily members of the RVCC Standards Committee), General (8) and Standards (6) Committees and judging panel (increased from 12 to 15 as agreed at the 2016 AGM) positions are up for election. Due to the loss of membership records prior to 2015 means that the Club rules of 3 years for a committee appointment and the 5 years for a judging panel appointment are relaxed until the full number of years of membership are available. It is proposed to send the ballot out in early-November so the post holders will be aware and able to start managing the Club from 1st January 2017. In addition to the Committee and Judging Ballot there will also be the ballot for all RVCC Club Shows and these will return to their Area Show allocation (minimum of 7 shows) that was suspended over the past 4 years due to lack of venue offers. Please see RVCC Rules if you need more information any additional shows that are held and not balloted will not have points allocation as detailed in Club rules and as determined by the RVCC Committee. Next is how to do this:
- Details to be sent to myself as Secretary by email or post (not Facebook).
- For Nominations of new appointees to committee or judging panel the nominees agreement by letter or email and then a Proposer and Seconder who must all be members of the RVCC in 2015 and 2016.
- Existing post holders will be contacted by the RVCC Secretary and need to confirm that they wish to stand for re-election (they do not need a Proposer or Seconder).
- Area Show offers need to include details and dates of the show offer including venue and host club entry fees and any venue access fees. An agreement to enlarge the host club schedule for that show if the breed classes are deemed by the RVCC Executive to be insufficient could result in a show being cancelled (e.g. one class for New Emerging Breeds as this section is currently the most supported in our Club). Local and area Club Secretaries please contact the Executive who can advise on classes to be considered following 2016 entry numbers.
- Closing Date for receipt of completed stock show offers, Committee and Panel Judge new nominations is 15th October 2016.
Caroline Smith
March 2016
Many thanks to those who renewed their RVCC subscriptions with me and those that paid via the NCC Subscription Service.
Since my last notes we now have confirmation of judges for most of our 2016 stock shows. Our first show is Sunday 10th April at Birmingham to be judged by Gerry Harvey. We then have the next show the following Sunday 17th April to be held at Nene Valley judged by Sue Pearce. A very important date for your calendar is the RVCC AGM and show at Selston on Sunday 1st May judged by Kathy Dudding.
Please note the new date and venue for the south west championship show which is now on Sunday 26th June at Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Oakleaze, Gloucester were we are still awaiting confirmation of a judge.
For our AGM in May we require any proposals together with a seconder to be sent in via post or email 14 days prior to the AGM ie 17th April. This must be sent to the secretary, Caroline Smith, please ensure you receive return email confirmation. Apologies for the confusion of the classification of four of our breeds; Brindle, Tortiseshell, Tricolour and Bicolour for 2016 these remain as full standard. These breeds are under notice for the possibility to return to guide standard from January 2017. This is due to the low numbers of these breeds being shown at our stock shows over the last two years. This is to enable potential rewording of the breed standard in the future. It is essential that those of you who own these breeds attend or make written representation for the AGM to state your case. It is additionally advised that you contact Pam Ramsden RVCC standards coordinator at any time for help and assistance (pramsden@email,com).
Many congratulations to all the breed class winners and thank you for your support of our shows last year. Also congratulations to Dorte Roeper Nielsen (Caprani Stud) for the first registration of a single Lunkaraya Champion, Holger Danske, and also the first RVCC Champion for several years.
Caroline Smith
Many thanks to those who renewed their RVCC subscriptions with me and those that paid via the NCC Subscription Service.
Since my last notes we now have confirmation of judges for most of our 2016 stock shows. Our first show is Sunday 10th April at Birmingham to be judged by Gerry Harvey. We then have the next show the following Sunday 17th April to be held at Nene Valley judged by Sue Pearce. A very important date for your calendar is the RVCC AGM and show at Selston on Sunday 1st May judged by Kathy Dudding.
Please note the new date and venue for the south west championship show which is now on Sunday 26th June at Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Oakleaze, Gloucester were we are still awaiting confirmation of a judge.
For our AGM in May we require any proposals together with a seconder to be sent in via post or email 14 days prior to the AGM ie 17th April. This must be sent to the secretary, Caroline Smith, please ensure you receive return email confirmation. Apologies for the confusion of the classification of four of our breeds; Brindle, Tortiseshell, Tricolour and Bicolour for 2016 these remain as full standard. These breeds are under notice for the possibility to return to guide standard from January 2017. This is due to the low numbers of these breeds being shown at our stock shows over the last two years. This is to enable potential rewording of the breed standard in the future. It is essential that those of you who own these breeds attend or make written representation for the AGM to state your case. It is additionally advised that you contact Pam Ramsden RVCC standards coordinator at any time for help and assistance (pramsden@email,com).
Many congratulations to all the breed class winners and thank you for your support of our shows last year. Also congratulations to Dorte Roeper Nielsen (Caprani Stud) for the first registration of a single Lunkaraya Champion, Holger Danske, and also the first RVCC Champion for several years.
Caroline Smith
June 2015
Please note there is a new RVCC Revised Schedule for 2015, which is to be used for the rest of the shows this year, starting with the SW Championship Show at Gloucester Rugby Club.
Please note there is a new RVCC Revised Schedule for 2015, which is to be used for the rest of the shows this year, starting with the SW Championship Show at Gloucester Rugby Club.
May 2015
Congratulations to the AGM Show winners where the report will soon be in Cavies. Many thanks to Graham Thorpe for judging 112 cavies and still managing to attend the RVCC AGM. A special congratulations to Lisa Leach, Cavendish Stud on winning the Guide Standard section at her first RVCC Show with an Intermediate Swiss. Much time was spent looking at the ‘shades of Blue’, and the Californians and this should help in getting the right wording for the ‘Standards for Judges and Exhibitors'.
However for me the highlight of the month was for a nearly 69% Ballot return with results on the website this gives a positive mandate for the new committees for change and moving forward. The other highlight was the level of attendance and discussion at the AGM. The results of the ballot now enable us to publish a full list of Shows with which includes the addition of the one for Lincolnshire Cavy Club passed at the AGM. Judges will be decided from the new judging panel within the next few weeks. The General Committee has lots of new faces with over a 70% change since the last Committee and the Standards Committee is a 50% change.
Congratulations to the 2014 Points winners for the breeds which were awarded by our new Chair Ann Rolph and to Kathy Dudding for counting certificates to enable these to be awarded, results are now on the website.
The remaining RVCC Stock Shows for 2015 are South West Championship Show 27th June (Change of Venue, now Gloucester Rugby Club), NCC Combined Show Stafford Showground 18th July (judge confirmed - Paul Conway), Real London 12th September, Lincolnshire CC 26th September, Welland Valley CC 22nd August, Kent CC 4th October and Warwickshire CC 14th November, the Executive looks forward to seeing you at these events.
The AGM passed several new propositions these included removal of the honorarium from the Executive and two separate members propositions. These were to split the Tortoiseshell and Brindle into two separate breed classes and to split the Argente classes by colour. As a result of these changes a small package of information and a new schedule will be sent to members by the end of April, hopefully to most via email to reduce postage costs.
Caroline Smith
RVCC Secretary/Treasurer
Congratulations to the AGM Show winners where the report will soon be in Cavies. Many thanks to Graham Thorpe for judging 112 cavies and still managing to attend the RVCC AGM. A special congratulations to Lisa Leach, Cavendish Stud on winning the Guide Standard section at her first RVCC Show with an Intermediate Swiss. Much time was spent looking at the ‘shades of Blue’, and the Californians and this should help in getting the right wording for the ‘Standards for Judges and Exhibitors'.
However for me the highlight of the month was for a nearly 69% Ballot return with results on the website this gives a positive mandate for the new committees for change and moving forward. The other highlight was the level of attendance and discussion at the AGM. The results of the ballot now enable us to publish a full list of Shows with which includes the addition of the one for Lincolnshire Cavy Club passed at the AGM. Judges will be decided from the new judging panel within the next few weeks. The General Committee has lots of new faces with over a 70% change since the last Committee and the Standards Committee is a 50% change.
Congratulations to the 2014 Points winners for the breeds which were awarded by our new Chair Ann Rolph and to Kathy Dudding for counting certificates to enable these to be awarded, results are now on the website.
The remaining RVCC Stock Shows for 2015 are South West Championship Show 27th June (Change of Venue, now Gloucester Rugby Club), NCC Combined Show Stafford Showground 18th July (judge confirmed - Paul Conway), Real London 12th September, Lincolnshire CC 26th September, Welland Valley CC 22nd August, Kent CC 4th October and Warwickshire CC 14th November, the Executive looks forward to seeing you at these events.
The AGM passed several new propositions these included removal of the honorarium from the Executive and two separate members propositions. These were to split the Tortoiseshell and Brindle into two separate breed classes and to split the Argente classes by colour. As a result of these changes a small package of information and a new schedule will be sent to members by the end of April, hopefully to most via email to reduce postage costs.
Caroline Smith
RVCC Secretary/Treasurer
RVCC Ballot results 2015-2016
President: Ann Rolph Unopposed
Secretary/Treasurer: Caroline Smith Unopposed
BCC Representative: Caroline Smith Unopposed
Deputy BCC Representative: David Marshall Unopposed
Chairman (1)
Elected: Paul Conway
Not elected: Nikki Matthews
RVCC General Committee (8)
Paul Conway - Elected Chairman not required for General Committee
Ann Rolph - Elected President not required for, General Committee
Elected: Margaret Thorpe, Nikki Matthews, Pete Wardman, Graham Thorpe, Sue Ford,
Pam Ramsden, Anthony Oakden, Gerry Harvey
Not elected: Scott Walker, Neil Smith, David Whiteway, David Rolph
Standards Committee (6)
Elected: Caroline Smith, Jan Alston, David Marshall, Ann Rolph, Su Schofield, Pete Wardman, Pam Ramsden
Not elected: Ted Brearley, Gerry Harvey, David Whiteway
Judging Panel (12)
Elected: Caroline Smith, Paul Conway, David Marshall, Graham Thorpe, Oliver Joyce,
Pete Wardman, Nikki Matthews, Kathy Dudding, Su Schofield, Ann Rolph, Gerry Harvey,
Sue Pearce, Betty Crick
Not elected: Claire England, Pippa Walker
Life Judge Ken Lomas.
Stock Show Venues - Dates and Venues Unopposed
Burgess Small Animal Show (Harrogate – 25th January 2015, Judge Caroline Smith
Birmingham CC – 12th April 2015, Judge Graham Thorpe with AGM
SW Championship Show (Cheltenham) – 27th June
NCC Combined Show venue (Stafford) – 18th July
Real London – 12th September
Kent Cavy Club – 4th October
Stock Show Venues - Dates Decided by Ballot
Warwickshire Cavy Club : Date agreed: 14th November 2015 - 29 votes. Date declined: 19th September 2015 - 17 votes
Welland Valley Cavy Club : Date agreed: 22nd August 2015 - 39 votes. Date declined: 7th November 2015 - 9 votes.
Lunkarya Questionaire
Question 1 To be Presented per Existing Wording: Yes 33 No 14 i.e. statement agreed Guidance Notes for presentation to remain unchanged
Question 2 To be Presented Brushed Out: Yes 16 No 27 i.e. Lunkarya to not be presented brushed out
Question 3 No Preference on Presentation: Yes 9 i.e. no preference on presentation statement
63 papers returned (68%) - 1 late and 2 papers spoilt on the Lunkarya Section.
Allan Trigg - Scrutineer
President: Ann Rolph Unopposed
Secretary/Treasurer: Caroline Smith Unopposed
BCC Representative: Caroline Smith Unopposed
Deputy BCC Representative: David Marshall Unopposed
Chairman (1)
Elected: Paul Conway
Not elected: Nikki Matthews
RVCC General Committee (8)
Paul Conway - Elected Chairman not required for General Committee
Ann Rolph - Elected President not required for, General Committee
Elected: Margaret Thorpe, Nikki Matthews, Pete Wardman, Graham Thorpe, Sue Ford,
Pam Ramsden, Anthony Oakden, Gerry Harvey
Not elected: Scott Walker, Neil Smith, David Whiteway, David Rolph
Standards Committee (6)
Elected: Caroline Smith, Jan Alston, David Marshall, Ann Rolph, Su Schofield, Pete Wardman, Pam Ramsden
Not elected: Ted Brearley, Gerry Harvey, David Whiteway
Judging Panel (12)
Elected: Caroline Smith, Paul Conway, David Marshall, Graham Thorpe, Oliver Joyce,
Pete Wardman, Nikki Matthews, Kathy Dudding, Su Schofield, Ann Rolph, Gerry Harvey,
Sue Pearce, Betty Crick
Not elected: Claire England, Pippa Walker
Life Judge Ken Lomas.
Stock Show Venues - Dates and Venues Unopposed
Burgess Small Animal Show (Harrogate – 25th January 2015, Judge Caroline Smith
Birmingham CC – 12th April 2015, Judge Graham Thorpe with AGM
SW Championship Show (Cheltenham) – 27th June
NCC Combined Show venue (Stafford) – 18th July
Real London – 12th September
Kent Cavy Club – 4th October
Stock Show Venues - Dates Decided by Ballot
Warwickshire Cavy Club : Date agreed: 14th November 2015 - 29 votes. Date declined: 19th September 2015 - 17 votes
Welland Valley Cavy Club : Date agreed: 22nd August 2015 - 39 votes. Date declined: 7th November 2015 - 9 votes.
Lunkarya Questionaire
Question 1 To be Presented per Existing Wording: Yes 33 No 14 i.e. statement agreed Guidance Notes for presentation to remain unchanged
Question 2 To be Presented Brushed Out: Yes 16 No 27 i.e. Lunkarya to not be presented brushed out
Question 3 No Preference on Presentation: Yes 9 i.e. no preference on presentation statement
63 papers returned (68%) - 1 late and 2 papers spoilt on the Lunkarya Section.
Allan Trigg - Scrutineer
April 2015
Ballot:
The 2015 RVCC ballot is now posted and I would like in advance to thank Allan Trigg for his diligent work as Scruitineer and the assistance that we have had from our governing body, the British Cavy Council. The results of the ballot will be published on the RVCC website as soon as available after the closing date and later appear in Cavies May issue. We have had more nominees than positions available for the Chairman, General Committee, Standards Committee and Judging panel (therefore judges have not been allocated at this time for the club stock shows after the forthcoming AGM Show). Thanks to all members who returned there ballot slips and to those who put themselves up for office this bodes well for the future of our club. I am hoping for a minimum 60% ballot return so we have a good mandate for the committees and Executive going forward.
Shows:
The dates of RVCC Area Shows for 2015 are partially confirmed as all Clubs applying were offered a Show as detailed on the RVCC Ballot. Due to the small number of venues offered we will not have an area split this year as the following shows only have a single date they are unopposed and you can add those into your diary: –
AGM Show at Birmingham 12th April (Judge Graham Thorpe) entries close soon;
SW Area Championship Show, Cheltenham 27th June;
NCC Combined Stock Show at Stafford 18th July;
Real London 12th September;
Kent Cavy Club 4th October (date already allocated and advertised by the host club).
The remaining 2015 RVCC shows are:
Warwickshire CC venue and will be either 19th September or 14th November when confirmed from ballot voting;
Welland Valley CC and will be either 22nd August or 7th November when confirmed from ballot voting.
Show venues 2016:
Please note if you want an RVCC Show in your local area in 2016 you need to lobby your local club Secretary to send in options and dates as we request in Cavies Notes from about October 2015.
RVCC Pencards at local shows:
Regarding RVCC pencards at standard local shows these are now being reinstated and supplies will be available from the 12th April at the RVCC AGM. I would like to thank Liane Clark for agreeing to manage this competition and return of cards for the Club.
Retiring RVCC Officials and positions:
As previously mentioned several committee members have stood down at this election and we would like to thank them for their work for the club over several years. These are Ken Lomas (President), Caroline Smith (Chairman role only due to election due to being unopposed as RVCC Secretary/Treasurer), Jayne Crick (RVCC Secretary/Treasurer, RVCC Standards Committee, RVCC Judging Panel), Betty Crick (RVCC General Committee only), Kim Holmes (RVCC General Committee), Dave Smith (RVCC General Committee, deceased), Stuart Inch (RVCC General Committee, RVCC Judging Panel on Club/BCC advice).
AGM details:
The AGM as is previously advertised at the Birmingham CC venue on 12th April at approximately 2pm and held in conjunction with one of our stock shows. Unfortunately we will be unable to provide the following information: 2014 AGM Minutes; membership details are minimal post 2006 and 2015 renewals not paid at the NCC or RVCC Stands at Harrogate or direct to Caroline Smith are incomplete; 2014 accounts are incomplete with the exception of Bank account statements from 2014/15 are available and the Club is solvent. In addition 2015 Show expenditure, printing and postage, stationary, rosettes and trophies delivered from supplier since January 2015 will be reported at the AGM.
Unfortunately due to a lack of points records the breed points trophies cannot be awarded at the AGM for 2014 Shows and the trophies pre-purchased will be used for the 2015 Points Competition.
The RVCC AGM will be chaired by Ann Rolph as the newly elected (unopposed) RVCC President.
Current RVCC AGM proposals:
At time of writing the following proposals are in various stages of submission and consideration at the RVCC 2015 AGM with the deadline open until 29th March 2015:
1. Members proposal for change of wording for the Lunkarya ‘Guidance Notes for Judges and Exhibitors’ principally around brushing out and show preparation, whwre a basic question was added into the ballot to gauge views at a high level. Depending on ballot and AGM outcomes that will be passed to the new RVCC Standards Committee for discussion prior to being discussed with some Lunkarya keeping RVCC members for the September deadline for the next BCC Meeting.
2. Executive proposal for RVCC Secretary/Treasurer honorarium to be removed from the rules and replaced with an option for a maximum £30 per RVCC Area Show attendance by the Secretary (or another appointed RVCC official) to manage card writing and link to appointed RVCC judge and provided that person is only attending the show to perform those activities and is not showing their own cavies. The overall RVCC Secretary/Treasurer will be provided with a paid annual subscription to Cavies Magazine or its monetary equivalent (£40 in 2015).
3. Member’s proposals to increase the number of breed classes on the RVCC Show schedule for a split between Tortoiseshell and Brindle, colour split for Argentes.
Getting the RVCC in a sound and communication improved state is our aim for 2015. We will want to provide additional member benefits and events but need to know from members what you want so that the new Committees can discuss and action this. Therefore significant additional events such as a reinstatement of the forums from earlier years and a Handbook will be planned for 2016 based on your feedback. Therefore please contact us at [email protected] (once the new Committee is in place responses from this email address will be from an allocated member of the RVCC General Committee and should be used for general requests) or please use the rvccuk.secretary@gmail.com for Secretary/Treasurer specific actions.
Mrs Caroline Smith
outgoing 2014 RVCC Chairman
RVCC temporary Secretary/Treasurer
The 2015 RVCC ballot is now posted and I would like in advance to thank Allan Trigg for his diligent work as Scruitineer and the assistance that we have had from our governing body, the British Cavy Council. The results of the ballot will be published on the RVCC website as soon as available after the closing date and later appear in Cavies May issue. We have had more nominees than positions available for the Chairman, General Committee, Standards Committee and Judging panel (therefore judges have not been allocated at this time for the club stock shows after the forthcoming AGM Show). Thanks to all members who returned there ballot slips and to those who put themselves up for office this bodes well for the future of our club. I am hoping for a minimum 60% ballot return so we have a good mandate for the committees and Executive going forward.
Shows:
The dates of RVCC Area Shows for 2015 are partially confirmed as all Clubs applying were offered a Show as detailed on the RVCC Ballot. Due to the small number of venues offered we will not have an area split this year as the following shows only have a single date they are unopposed and you can add those into your diary: –
AGM Show at Birmingham 12th April (Judge Graham Thorpe) entries close soon;
SW Area Championship Show, Cheltenham 27th June;
NCC Combined Stock Show at Stafford 18th July;
Real London 12th September;
Kent Cavy Club 4th October (date already allocated and advertised by the host club).
The remaining 2015 RVCC shows are:
Warwickshire CC venue and will be either 19th September or 14th November when confirmed from ballot voting;
Welland Valley CC and will be either 22nd August or 7th November when confirmed from ballot voting.
Show venues 2016:
Please note if you want an RVCC Show in your local area in 2016 you need to lobby your local club Secretary to send in options and dates as we request in Cavies Notes from about October 2015.
RVCC Pencards at local shows:
Regarding RVCC pencards at standard local shows these are now being reinstated and supplies will be available from the 12th April at the RVCC AGM. I would like to thank Liane Clark for agreeing to manage this competition and return of cards for the Club.
Retiring RVCC Officials and positions:
As previously mentioned several committee members have stood down at this election and we would like to thank them for their work for the club over several years. These are Ken Lomas (President), Caroline Smith (Chairman role only due to election due to being unopposed as RVCC Secretary/Treasurer), Jayne Crick (RVCC Secretary/Treasurer, RVCC Standards Committee, RVCC Judging Panel), Betty Crick (RVCC General Committee only), Kim Holmes (RVCC General Committee), Dave Smith (RVCC General Committee, deceased), Stuart Inch (RVCC General Committee, RVCC Judging Panel on Club/BCC advice).
AGM details:
The AGM as is previously advertised at the Birmingham CC venue on 12th April at approximately 2pm and held in conjunction with one of our stock shows. Unfortunately we will be unable to provide the following information: 2014 AGM Minutes; membership details are minimal post 2006 and 2015 renewals not paid at the NCC or RVCC Stands at Harrogate or direct to Caroline Smith are incomplete; 2014 accounts are incomplete with the exception of Bank account statements from 2014/15 are available and the Club is solvent. In addition 2015 Show expenditure, printing and postage, stationary, rosettes and trophies delivered from supplier since January 2015 will be reported at the AGM.
Unfortunately due to a lack of points records the breed points trophies cannot be awarded at the AGM for 2014 Shows and the trophies pre-purchased will be used for the 2015 Points Competition.
The RVCC AGM will be chaired by Ann Rolph as the newly elected (unopposed) RVCC President.
Current RVCC AGM proposals:
At time of writing the following proposals are in various stages of submission and consideration at the RVCC 2015 AGM with the deadline open until 29th March 2015:
1. Members proposal for change of wording for the Lunkarya ‘Guidance Notes for Judges and Exhibitors’ principally around brushing out and show preparation, whwre a basic question was added into the ballot to gauge views at a high level. Depending on ballot and AGM outcomes that will be passed to the new RVCC Standards Committee for discussion prior to being discussed with some Lunkarya keeping RVCC members for the September deadline for the next BCC Meeting.
2. Executive proposal for RVCC Secretary/Treasurer honorarium to be removed from the rules and replaced with an option for a maximum £30 per RVCC Area Show attendance by the Secretary (or another appointed RVCC official) to manage card writing and link to appointed RVCC judge and provided that person is only attending the show to perform those activities and is not showing their own cavies. The overall RVCC Secretary/Treasurer will be provided with a paid annual subscription to Cavies Magazine or its monetary equivalent (£40 in 2015).
3. Member’s proposals to increase the number of breed classes on the RVCC Show schedule for a split between Tortoiseshell and Brindle, colour split for Argentes.
Getting the RVCC in a sound and communication improved state is our aim for 2015. We will want to provide additional member benefits and events but need to know from members what you want so that the new Committees can discuss and action this. Therefore significant additional events such as a reinstatement of the forums from earlier years and a Handbook will be planned for 2016 based on your feedback. Therefore please contact us at [email protected] (once the new Committee is in place responses from this email address will be from an allocated member of the RVCC General Committee and should be used for general requests) or please use the rvccuk.secretary@gmail.com for Secretary/Treasurer specific actions.
Mrs Caroline Smith
outgoing 2014 RVCC Chairman
RVCC temporary Secretary/Treasurer
February 2015
1. Winners at the first 2015 Show:
Congratulations to the RVCC Harrogate winners at our first Show of 2015. The winning Full Standard was Jan Alston and Oliver Joyce’s Adult Satin, the winning Guide Standard was Melanie Bell’s Adult Swiss and the winning NEB was Moonstone Cavies Adult Lunkarya. Well done to the winners and the full report is elsewhere on the website.
2. Ken Lomas retiring President of the RVCC
It is with some sadness that I report that due to ill health our President, Ken Lomas, will step down at the forthcoming AGM. Ken has been a member of the Club for many years having had a few RV breeds most recently the Slates. In the 80’s and probably before Sylvia Seaborne, Aubrey Roebuck and Ken were staunch supporters and officers of our Club. We wish Ken well and hope that he gets better soon and maybe back behind the judging table as a Life Judge for our Club.
3. RVCC ballot update and Propositions call for the AGM
The RVCC Ballot Sheet will be sent out on 15th March via 1st class mail and 12th March is the deadline for receipt of nominations for RVCC Area Show venues and all officials and judges to be sent to Caroline Smith, Temporary Secretary. Propositions from members (with a Proposer and Seconder) can be sent at any time. However the deadline for receipt of propositions is 14 days prior to the AGM and therefore must be sent to Caroline Smith to arrive by 29th March at the latest for presentation at the forthcoming AGM. Propositions, including any changes to Club rules, will be posted on the Club website at least one week prior to the AGM.
Please contact me by telephone or email if you think you should have received a Ballot Sheet, these will be sent out via 1st class mail on 15th March with a latest with a return date of 1st April 2015.
4. RVCC AGM Show and Schedule
Our next Show incorporating the RVCC AGM will be on 12th April at the Birmingham venue with the AGM held in the afternoon. Unfortunately due to a prior arrangement Paul Conway will be unable to judge at the Show and Graham Thorpe has stepped in however if entries are large then we will appoint a second panel judge to cover the Full Standard breeds. Immediately prior to the AGM Show the RVCC ballot results will be known and announced on the RVCC website and in the next edition of Cavies.
Returning and new members have been sent a copy of the new 2015 RVCC Schedule and this is also available on this website http://rarevarietiescavyclub.weebly.com or on request to the RVCC Secretary.
Caroline Smith
RVCC Chairman and
Temporary RVCC Secretary
1. Winners at the first 2015 Show:
Congratulations to the RVCC Harrogate winners at our first Show of 2015. The winning Full Standard was Jan Alston and Oliver Joyce’s Adult Satin, the winning Guide Standard was Melanie Bell’s Adult Swiss and the winning NEB was Moonstone Cavies Adult Lunkarya. Well done to the winners and the full report is elsewhere on the website.
2. Ken Lomas retiring President of the RVCC
It is with some sadness that I report that due to ill health our President, Ken Lomas, will step down at the forthcoming AGM. Ken has been a member of the Club for many years having had a few RV breeds most recently the Slates. In the 80’s and probably before Sylvia Seaborne, Aubrey Roebuck and Ken were staunch supporters and officers of our Club. We wish Ken well and hope that he gets better soon and maybe back behind the judging table as a Life Judge for our Club.
3. RVCC ballot update and Propositions call for the AGM
The RVCC Ballot Sheet will be sent out on 15th March via 1st class mail and 12th March is the deadline for receipt of nominations for RVCC Area Show venues and all officials and judges to be sent to Caroline Smith, Temporary Secretary. Propositions from members (with a Proposer and Seconder) can be sent at any time. However the deadline for receipt of propositions is 14 days prior to the AGM and therefore must be sent to Caroline Smith to arrive by 29th March at the latest for presentation at the forthcoming AGM. Propositions, including any changes to Club rules, will be posted on the Club website at least one week prior to the AGM.
Please contact me by telephone or email if you think you should have received a Ballot Sheet, these will be sent out via 1st class mail on 15th March with a latest with a return date of 1st April 2015.
4. RVCC AGM Show and Schedule
Our next Show incorporating the RVCC AGM will be on 12th April at the Birmingham venue with the AGM held in the afternoon. Unfortunately due to a prior arrangement Paul Conway will be unable to judge at the Show and Graham Thorpe has stepped in however if entries are large then we will appoint a second panel judge to cover the Full Standard breeds. Immediately prior to the AGM Show the RVCC ballot results will be known and announced on the RVCC website and in the next edition of Cavies.
Returning and new members have been sent a copy of the new 2015 RVCC Schedule and this is also available on this website http://rarevarietiescavyclub.weebly.com or on request to the RVCC Secretary.
Caroline Smith
RVCC Chairman and
Temporary RVCC Secretary
23rd January 2015
Can you help your Club, do you want to be more involved?
Plan moving forward to better link to our members now and into the future.
Current situation: BCC advisory approach to retain all 2013/2014 Executive, Committees and Judging panel members with the exception of Caroline Smith appointed as the Temporary Secretary/Treasurer during this transition period.
Actions now: a new RVCC ballot for all positions including President, Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer, General Committee (8), RVCC Standards Committee (6), BCC Representative, Deputy BCC Representative, Judging Panel (12). Please think if you would want to help your Club in this way it is essential that we have an active and diverse committee to move the Club forward and the mandate from the members.
Ballot - want to be involved and what to do:
ABOVE ALL USE YOUR VOTE – open to all 2014 members and new/returning members with subs paid by 28th February 2015.
The Club has rules which must be complied with for all positions. In summary these are that: -
1. Any person nominated as an Officer of the Club must be a member of the RVCC at the time of the nomination and have been a member for the preceding three years. There is a difference if for new candidates for election as Judges, they must have be a member of the RVCC at the time of the nomination and have been a member for the preceding five years; unless the member has previously been elected as a Club Judge, in which case the period of membership must be at least 3 years including the current year.
2. All nominees, including signed proposers and seconders must be sent Caroline Smith, Temporary Secretary/Treasurer signed by the nominee, proposer and seconder and sent via postal mail, or as a scanned image, with the closing date of 12th March Rule states 4 weeks after publication in Cavies magazine.
3. Existing members of the 2013/2014 Club Executive, Committees or judging panel will be contacted by Caroline Smith to check if they still want to stand in that position. These returning officers and judges will not require re-nomination, proposers or seconders but must comply with the Club rule as in 1 above for length of membership.
4. Those originally nominated in October 2014 for a new position in the 2015/16 committees or judging panel will be contacted but must comply with the membership requirements and have the nomination, proposer and seconder written application resent.
5. Request not in rules – please can all officers and judges (existing and new nominees) provide to me a very brief profile (template available on the club website or on request to me for an email or postal request). Details to include experience relevant to the position, years in the cavy fancy, breeds kept (especially current or past RVs) and other cavy club positions held now or in the past. A summary of this information will be added into the ballot details sent to members.
6. Local club secretaries: please can you submit or resubmit offers for RVCC Area Shows that are to be held from June 2015 onwards in writing or via email. These should include a summary of your Show including your schedule for RVCC breeds and any additional requirements needed by the RVCC membership (this will be included on the ballot slip) these includes things like penning fees, show hall entry costs, partial costs towards Cavies adverts. These area show venue options are included on our biennial ballot paper.
7. The Scruitineer for the ballot has been allocated by the BCC and agreed by the current RVCC Executive.
Timelines: Ballot advertised in Cavies and on the RVCC website, ballot nominations close on 12th March (received by Caroline Smith, RVCC Temporary Secretary).
Postal ballot sent to all paid-up 2014 and 2015 members by 15th March, close of ballot 1st April 2015.
2015/16 Ballot results known to candidates and membership (via the RVCC website) prior to the RVCC AGM on 12th April held at the Birmingham Show venue together with the RVCC AGM Show. RVCC officers and judges for 2015/2016 will play a significant part of the 2015 AGM and handover will occur on that date at the latest. It is expected that the 2015/16 ballot elected RVCC Chairman will manage the AGM meeting on the day.
Please get active in the Club and if you cannot commit to the time or have insufficient length of membership but still want to help then please contact me and let me know in what capacity you would like to get involved.
It is possible and within the RVCC Rules to be nominated for more than one position on the Executive and if that happens the nominee needs to provide details (at time of nomination) as to which position they will accept if they gain the most votes for both nominated positions. By making this choice known, they acquiesce to stand down from the position they do not choose. Therefore, the second highest vote holder will be given the vacated position for 2015/16. This information needs to be on the ballot paper so that members are aware at the time of voting.
Suggested nomination forms can be downloaded here - to be returned by 12th March.
Can you help your Club, do you want to be more involved?
Plan moving forward to better link to our members now and into the future.
Current situation: BCC advisory approach to retain all 2013/2014 Executive, Committees and Judging panel members with the exception of Caroline Smith appointed as the Temporary Secretary/Treasurer during this transition period.
Actions now: a new RVCC ballot for all positions including President, Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer, General Committee (8), RVCC Standards Committee (6), BCC Representative, Deputy BCC Representative, Judging Panel (12). Please think if you would want to help your Club in this way it is essential that we have an active and diverse committee to move the Club forward and the mandate from the members.
Ballot - want to be involved and what to do:
ABOVE ALL USE YOUR VOTE – open to all 2014 members and new/returning members with subs paid by 28th February 2015.
The Club has rules which must be complied with for all positions. In summary these are that: -
1. Any person nominated as an Officer of the Club must be a member of the RVCC at the time of the nomination and have been a member for the preceding three years. There is a difference if for new candidates for election as Judges, they must have be a member of the RVCC at the time of the nomination and have been a member for the preceding five years; unless the member has previously been elected as a Club Judge, in which case the period of membership must be at least 3 years including the current year.
2. All nominees, including signed proposers and seconders must be sent Caroline Smith, Temporary Secretary/Treasurer signed by the nominee, proposer and seconder and sent via postal mail, or as a scanned image, with the closing date of 12th March Rule states 4 weeks after publication in Cavies magazine.
3. Existing members of the 2013/2014 Club Executive, Committees or judging panel will be contacted by Caroline Smith to check if they still want to stand in that position. These returning officers and judges will not require re-nomination, proposers or seconders but must comply with the Club rule as in 1 above for length of membership.
4. Those originally nominated in October 2014 for a new position in the 2015/16 committees or judging panel will be contacted but must comply with the membership requirements and have the nomination, proposer and seconder written application resent.
5. Request not in rules – please can all officers and judges (existing and new nominees) provide to me a very brief profile (template available on the club website or on request to me for an email or postal request). Details to include experience relevant to the position, years in the cavy fancy, breeds kept (especially current or past RVs) and other cavy club positions held now or in the past. A summary of this information will be added into the ballot details sent to members.
6. Local club secretaries: please can you submit or resubmit offers for RVCC Area Shows that are to be held from June 2015 onwards in writing or via email. These should include a summary of your Show including your schedule for RVCC breeds and any additional requirements needed by the RVCC membership (this will be included on the ballot slip) these includes things like penning fees, show hall entry costs, partial costs towards Cavies adverts. These area show venue options are included on our biennial ballot paper.
7. The Scruitineer for the ballot has been allocated by the BCC and agreed by the current RVCC Executive.
Timelines: Ballot advertised in Cavies and on the RVCC website, ballot nominations close on 12th March (received by Caroline Smith, RVCC Temporary Secretary).
Postal ballot sent to all paid-up 2014 and 2015 members by 15th March, close of ballot 1st April 2015.
2015/16 Ballot results known to candidates and membership (via the RVCC website) prior to the RVCC AGM on 12th April held at the Birmingham Show venue together with the RVCC AGM Show. RVCC officers and judges for 2015/2016 will play a significant part of the 2015 AGM and handover will occur on that date at the latest. It is expected that the 2015/16 ballot elected RVCC Chairman will manage the AGM meeting on the day.
Please get active in the Club and if you cannot commit to the time or have insufficient length of membership but still want to help then please contact me and let me know in what capacity you would like to get involved.
It is possible and within the RVCC Rules to be nominated for more than one position on the Executive and if that happens the nominee needs to provide details (at time of nomination) as to which position they will accept if they gain the most votes for both nominated positions. By making this choice known, they acquiesce to stand down from the position they do not choose. Therefore, the second highest vote holder will be given the vacated position for 2015/16. This information needs to be on the ballot paper so that members are aware at the time of voting.
Suggested nomination forms can be downloaded here - to be returned by 12th March.
ballot_nomination_committee_or_exec_2015.doc | |
File Size: | 24 kb |
File Type: | doc |
ballot_nomination_judges_2015.doc | |
File Size: | 24 kb |
File Type: | doc |
RVCC AGM Date and Venue Confirmed
This will be at the Birmingham Cavy Club venue in conjunction with their Show on 12th April by which time the new Committee will be in-place and communicated to members via the RVCC website and the next available issue of Cavies magazine. The remaining confirmed show is the SW Championship Show on June. As members have been asking if the REAL London is an option that will be on the ballot provided their organizing committee offers its date and we already been approached (as have all Specialist Clubs) to consider having an RVCC Show at the NCC Combined Show event at the Staffordshire Showground. It would be possible within our existing Club rules to also attend both these shows in addition to those within the Area Show setup and the RVCC Exec. will make a decision on these additional Shows if necessary to confirm with the REAL London and NCC Committees.
The full Club rules will be available via the RVCC website soon. A suggested form (above) for nomination, proposal and Seconders for club positions, judging panel and Area Show venues, this is not compulsory to use. All nominations will be acknowledged on receipt (ideally provide an email address for this to be sent to) and then checked and confirmed as valid to go onto the ballot form.
Mrs Caroline Smith
RVCC Chairman and Temporary RVCC Secretary
Pinder House, 3 Swallow Close, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5YR
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Text first to 07973 143260, landline after 8pm or weekends 01462 819039
See us on the Harrogate RVCC/ESCC Stand
This will be at the Birmingham Cavy Club venue in conjunction with their Show on 12th April by which time the new Committee will be in-place and communicated to members via the RVCC website and the next available issue of Cavies magazine. The remaining confirmed show is the SW Championship Show on June. As members have been asking if the REAL London is an option that will be on the ballot provided their organizing committee offers its date and we already been approached (as have all Specialist Clubs) to consider having an RVCC Show at the NCC Combined Show event at the Staffordshire Showground. It would be possible within our existing Club rules to also attend both these shows in addition to those within the Area Show setup and the RVCC Exec. will make a decision on these additional Shows if necessary to confirm with the REAL London and NCC Committees.
The full Club rules will be available via the RVCC website soon. A suggested form (above) for nomination, proposal and Seconders for club positions, judging panel and Area Show venues, this is not compulsory to use. All nominations will be acknowledged on receipt (ideally provide an email address for this to be sent to) and then checked and confirmed as valid to go onto the ballot form.
Mrs Caroline Smith
RVCC Chairman and Temporary RVCC Secretary
Pinder House, 3 Swallow Close, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5YR
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Text first to 07973 143260, landline after 8pm or weekends 01462 819039
See us on the Harrogate RVCC/ESCC Stand
1st January 2015
The Chinchilla has been given its Guide Standard and will be moving up from January 2015, great news, good luck to all the Chinchilla breeders in the coming year. Please can club secretaries alter their schedules and give the Chinchillas a class in the Guide Standard section.
The Chinchilla has been given its Guide Standard and will be moving up from January 2015, great news, good luck to all the Chinchilla breeders in the coming year. Please can club secretaries alter their schedules and give the Chinchillas a class in the Guide Standard section.