Felis Britannica - UK FIFe Cat Shows and Pedigree Registrations

DATE	NEWS	DOWNLOAD
2010
24th Jul, 2010	Resignation Notification The Executive Committee are very sad to announce the immediate resignation of Sarah Johnson as Acting President of Felis Britannica. We are very sorry to lose such a long standing member of Felis Britannica from the Executive Committee and we are very grateful for all her hard work whilst she was on the Executive Committee. As an Executive Committee, we shall miss her sensible and balanced approach to problems and wish her well in her new role in FIFe on the Breeding & Registrations Commission which we know will keep her very busy and involved with FIFe in a different capacity. We hope that the Clubs and their members will join us in extending our best wishes to Sarah in the future. The Executive Committee
14th Jul, 2010	Notification of the Resignation of the FB President The Executive Committee are very sad to announce the immediate resignation of Neil Gardner as President of Felis Britannica. We are very sorry to lose such a long standing member of the Executive Committee and we are very grateful to him for his many years of loyal service and hard work. We should all be aware that Neil was a chief protagonist in the fight for the rights of the individual members of our predecessor, The Cat Association of Britain which led to their eventual demise and replacement with our current, democratic Federation. We should not underestimate his efforts in the formation of Felis Britannica and his tireless work for the recognition as the UK Member in FIFe. As an Executive Committee, we shall miss his calm and balanced approach to problems. We hope that the Clubs and their members will join us in extending our heartfelt thanks to Neil for his contribution to FB and FIFe over the years and offering our best wishes to him in the future. The Executive Committee
5th Jul, 2010	FB Cat Show 12th September 2010 - EC Statement The Executive Committee were first made aware of the cancellation of the Viking Cat Club show on the 27th June 2010 and this was then discussed at its meeting on 28th June 2010. This information had been received by the Show Commission on 22nd June 2010, although this date has only just been revealed to us. At this point we were informed that all clubs had been contacted and had been unable to step in, although it was noted that no reply was yet received from the Garden of England. The Show Commission Chairman was asked to vigorously pursue an answer from the Garden of England and prepare a statement for publication no later than Wednesday, 30th June 2010. The EC at this point had assumed, obviously incorrectly, that the Phoenix Cat Club was included in the statement of "..all clubs..." The Executive Committee were made aware that the Phoenix Cat Club had actually never been contacted after receipt of an email was sent by their Chairman to the Vice President and General Secretary. When questioned, the Show Commission Chairman admitted that he had not contacted the Phoenix Cat Club and that he had not understood that he needed to, and also that he had failed to read the signature designation on the Phoenix Cat Club email enquiring about the show and had thought that enquiry had emanated from the Garden of England Cat Club. The problem was further exacerbated by the hospitalisation of the Show Commission Chairman on Wednesday 30th June 2010, which regrettably left the commission somewhat inactive for that period of 24 hours. Once the matter had been brought to the attention of the Executive Committee, it responded immediately to grant the licence to the Phoenix Cat Club pending details of the show venue. Pressure from the membership to issue a statement about the cancellation of the Leeds show meant that we had to give an extremely tight deadline to the Phoenix Cat Club. A full investigation into this whole episode and a review of working protocols between Clubs, Commission and the Executive Committee is now underway and we expect to be able to make a full report in the minutes of our next Executive Meeting in July. Any new directives will be issued to the clubs at that point. The Executive Committee are extremely grateful to the Phoenix Cat Club for their offer of assistance in running this show and commend them on their ability to step up and deliver in such an extremely short time frame. The location of the show has been updated on the FIFe website, although the designated club cannot be altered by FB directly, but a request to do so submitted to FIFe. This was done on Thursday night, and so will be updated soon. The Executive Committee
2nd Jul, 2010	Notice from the Show Commission - news regarding the show scheduled for September 12th – The VCC has recently notified the FB Show Commission that, after careful consideration, they will not be going ahead with the Leeds show in September due to the continuing economic situation in the UK - the rising cost of holding cat shows, coupled with reduced income, is making some venues unsustainable, including the annual Leeds show. The show commission has been considering alternative options for the past week and a half, following notification that the show date was being given up by the VCC. Having contacted the other FB clubs to offer them the option of running this show instead of the VCC, The Phoenix Cat Club have agreed to take over this show date at short notice. The show will therefore be going ahead; however, due to the high costs of the Leeds venue, we need to notify you of a venue change, the show is moving to: Grantham Meres Leisure Centre Trent Road Grantham Lincolnshire NG31 7XG A flyer will be available shortly on the FB website once judges have been confirmed. We hope that most of the exhibitors who had planned to show in Leeds will not find this too much of an inconvenience; although we appreciate it is a bit further south than planned. Please support the Phoenix Cat Club as without them stepping in at this stage you would not have a show at all on this date. Finally, we apologise for the lack of communication, especially in view of the rumours that have been circulating in relation to the Leeds Show; but until we had heard from all the parties concerned, and could confirm the show would go ahead, we were not in a position to provide an update on the current situation. John Cunningham, Chair Show Commission
28th Jun, 2010	WEBSITE PROBLEMS As may have been noticed by some visitors, the FB website was offline for 24 hours during May. This was due to a major hardware failure of the server that hosts all of FB's online facilities, and resulted in all data being lost. Once the server was rebuilt, a full restoration of data was performed from our backups. Unfortunately it became evident last week that some of the databases had been corrupted - possibly as part of the restoration, or possibly due to data corruption of the data in the days prior to the total hardware failure, causing corrupted database files to be backed up, and subsequently used for the restoration. This will have resulted in missing information and other anomolies since the original hardware failure. The result of this is that the online databases that hold the entire history of FB's show results has been corrupted, and the database tables will need to be re-created, and the data restored from the original offline data backups. This is a significant amount of work, and is likely to take a few weeks to complete. We thank you for your patience, and will get the work completed as soon as possible. If visitors notice any other problems with the website, please report them using the WEBMASTER link at the foot of the page.
10th Mar, 2010	MARKET HARBOROUGH CHANGE OF VENUE Unfortunately, due to a double booking by the lesiure centre we are having to move the venue for our show on the 27th & 28th March 2010. Please be aware that the new venue will be at Lutterworth Sports Centre Coventry Road Lutterworth Leicestershire LE17 4RB T+ 44 (0)1455 200800 F+ 44 (0)1455 550437 This venue is about 10 miles away from the original venue so hopefully will cause minimal disruption. Please accept the apologies of the ACC show team but this is really out of our control. A revised schedule will be posted shortly. John Cunningham Show Manager
2009
1st Oct, 2009	REGISTRATION POLICY The Executive Committee would like to draw to your attention the policy regarding payments in relation to the processing of registrations. Registrations are only processed by the Registrar once payment has been received from the member club. Registrations are not considered to have been received by FB until all the correct paperwork; including payment, has been supplied by the club / member and they then enter the back of the queue on that date, with regard to processing timescales. Non-payment by the clubs will inevitably lead to delays in your registrations being returned. There are registrations on hold at this time due to the non-payment of fees. If you have any questions regarding outstanding registrations, please contact your club pedigree secretary.
30th Jul, 2009	ALCESTER SHOW CANCELLATION Following the cancellation of the Alcester show, scheduled for July 25th, the FB Executive have become aware of much misinformation surrounding the cancellation. When a show is cancelled, there is understandably disappointment - not only for the exhibitors, but the people organising the show also. During the past 2 months the members of the Executive have contributed many days putting together this show, only for it to be cancelled. Everything was in place for the show to go ahead, with the catalogue complete and all paperwork prepared. With such a low entry, the Executive were only too aware that a dispensation was far from certain, but hoped one might be granted based on the circumstances faced by FB here in the UK and outcomes to recent dispensation requests. When, late on Wednesday, we were notified by the FIFe Board that they were unable to grant a dispensation for an International Show with only 71 exhibits, there was no choice but to cancel the show. The Executive fully understand why the FIFe Board took this decision, even though it was not the answer we had hoped for. It has been suggested that not enough effort was put into trying to secure the required number of entries. In truth, the Executive have spent many hours individually contacting people in an attempt to encourage more entries. Although this doubled the entry in the 10 days leading up to the cancellation, there were far more people declining than accepting, for one reason or another : already entered in another show, or restricted by the GCCF 13 day rule unable to afford another show in the current economic climate too far to travel concerned about swine flu, and so avoiding crowds! school holidays had just started Experience has shown that direct contact, either by post, email or telephone with potential exhibitors provides a much better response than generic forum posts, since it reaches a much wider audience, and is far less likely to be overlooked. With so many people contacted directly, and having already declined, it became evident that there was little chance of getting anywhere near the required number. Many FIFe exhibitors in the UK are not aware that there is a FIFe rule that says an International FIFe show must have an entry of 150 cats - this is unique to FIFe, and some other organisations operate shows with less than 100 cats. It is this rule that is most likely to prevent an FB show going ahead, rather than the financial aspect. Changing this rule, as has been suggested by some, is not a quick process, since it would need to go to a FIFe GA - the soonest a change could be made is Jan 1st 2011, and that assumes that any such proposal gets the required majority at first the FB AGA and then the FIFe GA. Traditionally, the FIFe Board will give a dispensation for shows with at least 100 cats, although this is a privilege we currently enjoy, and the Executive do not assume it will always be granted, or continue to be the norm. For Alcester, the entry was less than half of the 150 normally required for an International Show, and the entry would have had to increase by 41% to even reach 100 cats! This was clearly impossible with the number of people who had already declined to enter. It has also been suggested that exhibitors who had already entered should be asked for more entries. This was unrealistic, as every exhibitor entered would have had to bring at least one more cat for even 100 exhibits to have been reached. Had the entry been a few short, it may well have been made up with such an approach, but as is evident from the numbers involved, this was not an option. There have also been comments by individuals suggesting that they were not contacted by clubs in which they held associate membership, regarding entering the show. With regard to FB business, it is the responsibility of clubs to contact their full members, not their associate members, and so an associate member would not have been contacted. If they were to be contacted through a club, then it would have been the club in which they were a full member. It has also been suggested that the Maine Coon Guild were unhappy about the rescheduling of the show, and were not notified of the details. This is untrue. The Chair of the Show Commission was asked by the Executive to contact the secretary of the MCG before anything about the Alcester show was announced publicly, so that they were fully informed of what had been decided by the Executive. When the MCG secretary was telephoned she said that "she had no objections as it was not in the same area as the MCG show so should not affect their entry". Ultimately this show was cancelled because not enough exhibitors were able to enter, and the FIFe Board were unable to grant a dispensation for such a low entry. The EC therefore had no option but to cancel the show. With the FIFe requirements for International Shows we would urge all exhibitors to enter shows well in advance - it is not very pleasant for anyone - exhibitors, organisers, visitors, service providers or stall holders - when a show is cancelled only a few days before the event, but FB clubs have traditionally kept entries open until the week before the show, as so many exhibitors enter at the last minute. The Executive have been unanimous in their approach to this show, and every effort was made to ensure that exhibitors were given an opportunity to attend a show during the height of summer. The Executive collectively picked up the organisation of the show at the last minute. Fran de Courcy Rolls agreed to be the named show manager in order for the show to proceed, since she was the most experienced person that could be in attendance on the day of the show, but due to work commitments could not undertake many activities prior to the show and ensured that the EC were aware of this. The EC did everything possible to ensure a show was offered to our exhibitors. We would also again like to thank those exhibitors who did support the show, and join them in their disappointment that the show didn't enjoy enough support to go ahead. Neil Gardner President For, and on behalf of, the Executive Committee
23rd Jul, 2009	With great regret the Alcester show, due to be held on the 25th of July, has been cancelled, this is due to the lack of support in regards of entries and failure in being granted dispensation from FIFe to hold an international show. The Executive Committee would like to thank all those who did support the show.
22nd Jun, 2009	The updated Felis Britannica Disciplinary Process (Version 1.4) is now available for download under the library tab
22nd Jun, 2009	The schedule for the Felis Britannica show that is being held on the 25th of July in Alcester, is now available for download. Closing date is the 17th of July 2009.
12th Jun, 2009	Notice from the Executive Commitee - news regarding the show scheduled for July 5th - Having lost their Manchester venue and having been unable to book a similar hall at a similar price, the VCC regret that they have had to cancel their planned July show. The date was offered to all the FB clubs but no one was able to take this on at short notice. In view of this, and not wanting our exhibitors to lose out on a show, the EC have decided FB will host the July event. It has not been possible to find a suitable venue for the previous date, and coupled with the time constraints this has meant that the show will be held on the 25th July instead. Due to holidays (not ours!) we cannot confirm absolutely the venue but it seems likely that it will be in the Worcs or West Midlands area. This will be confirmed definitely on Wednesday of next week. A flyer will be available shortly on the FB website once judges have been confirmed but in the meantime perhaps you would all like to pencil us in for this later date. We hope that most of the exhibitors who had planned to show in Manchester will not find this too much of an inconvenience although we appreciate it is a bit further south than we had planned. FB needs your continued support to grow - and don't forget this is YOUR organisation and we depend on you for its success. As this is not a club effort, we would appreciate any offers of assistance in all areas - we need you! Finally, we apologise for the lack of communication, but until we had heard from all parties concerned we did not feel it fair to pre-empt the situation.
18th Jan, 2009	Offical Invitation to the Felis Britannica Annual Points Awards dinner, that will be held on the evening of the 14th of March. RSVP is required by the 1st of March.
13th Jan, 2009	The offical Invite, for nominations and proposals to the Felis Britannica AGA 2009.
13th Jan, 2009	The Points Awards 2008, will be awarded to the winners at an awards dinner ,which will be held on the evening of the 14th of March 2009, at Holiday Inn Milton Keynes, 500 Saxon Gate West, Milton Keynes,MK9 2HQ. An offical invite will be circulated to FB members shortly.
2008
12th Dec, 2008	The Felis Britannica AGA 2009 will be held on the 14th & 15th of March, at the Holiday Inn Milton Keynes 500 Saxon Gate West, Milton Keynes, MK9 2HQ.
15th Sep, 2008	Invite to FELIS BRITANNICA open meeting on October 12th, 2008
16th Aug, 2008	The latest Felis Britannica newsletter Vol 2 Issue 2, is now available for download
20th Jun, 2008	Minutes of the 2008 Felis Britannica AGA.
31st Mar, 2008	The 2007 Overall Points Awards Winners were: Overall Winner and Adult of the Year 2007 - Taurus Goloubchik (Siberian) owned by Lynne Geary Kitten of the Year 2007 - Mycoon Anacoon Skywalker (Maine Coon) owned by Julie Beatson Junior of the Year 2007 - Tiganlea Tsarina Odile (Norwegian Forest) owned by Corinne Boyle Neuter of the Year 2007 - Tangaloor Zuki Firetip (Maine Coon) owned by Caro Hewitt Breeder of the Year 2007 - John & Caroline Tipper of Tiganlea Norwegian Forest Cats Best Household Pet 2007 - Willow owned by Jordan Hackles
9th Mar, 2008	The form that all current members of Felis Britannica are required to complete and return to their club secretaries by the 30th of March, with regard to FIFe article 2.6 as explained in the latest FB newletter (Vol 2 Issue 1), is available for download.
27th Feb, 2008	The latest Felis Britannica newsletter Vol 2 Issue 1, is now available for download
20th Feb, 2008	As an outcome of the FB AGA last weekend, the points awards will now be calculated from the Winners Show 07 to the Maine Coon Guild show on the 5th of October 08. This will enable the Winners of the Points Award competiton to be presented their trophies in a ceremony at the Winners Show 08.
18th Feb, 2008	As a result of the AGA 08, FB have new commission chairs. Melanie Gardner has now been ratified as the Show Commission Chair and Sarah Johnson has been elected the Chair of the Breeding, Health and Welfare Commission.
18th Feb, 2008	As of the 08 AGA, the Executive Committee has been increased to include all commission chairs.
7th Feb, 2008	The paperwork for the Felis Britannica AGA 2008 is now available for downlod.
2nd Jan, 2008	The FB AGA 2008 will be held at Totworth Hall, Gloucestershire on February 16/17th, 2007. A Gala dinner, open to all members and at which the 2007 Points Award winners will be presented with their trophies, will be held on the Saturday evening.
2007
1st Jun, 2007	Points Award standings updated & breeder added.
26th Apr, 2007	Approved minutes from the FB AGA, held on February 17/18th, 2007.
22nd Apr, 2007	FIFe GA 2007 The details, and invite to, the FIFe General Assembly 2007 in Albufeira, Portugal are now on the FIFe website. The English agenda is available for downloaded. English agenda (ZIP)
25th Mar, 2007	Points Award results for 2006 posted on the website. PA 2006
25th Mar, 2007	Updated show calendar posted, with extended programme information for the next 5 years.
6th Feb, 2007	The paperwork for the Felis Britannica AGA 2007 is now available for download. FB AGA 2007 paper link
2006
11th Dec, 2006	The FB AGA 2007 will be held at Great Barr Hotel, Birmingham on February 17/18th, 2007. A Gala dinner, open to all members and at which the 2006 Points Award winners will be presented with their trophies, will be held on the Saturday evening.
11th Dec, 2006	Executive Committee December '06 newsletter now available.
30th Jul, 2006	Felis Britannica response to the DEFRA Consultation on the implementation of EU Regulation 1/2005 (Welfare of animals during transport) is available for download.
20th Mar, 2006	The details, and invite to, the FIFe General Assembly 2006 in Rome are now on the FIFe website. FIFe website