anyone know REALLY GOOD one without a slippery floor suitable for helping a complete novice and their puppy in southampton

There are 3 in Southampton that I know of.  My favourite is the one run by Romsey Canine Club.  Loads of help and advice on offer.  Nice big hall, wooden floor, but mats are put out to move the dogs on.

thanks, would you have some contact details or date/time details that i can pass onto my puppy owner please?

Doesn't this one close for the summer months? I've heard it's very good too and may try it out in September when they open for business again.

oh really? :( thats a shame as they were hoping to get some ringcraft prior to stating showing in August :(

Ours shuts up for the summer months as well.

I completely forgot, they do shut, and start up in September.  There is one just on the outskirts of Southampton on Tuesday evenings at 7.30, I will find the address of the hall out.  A nice one to go to for newbies as its not overly busy so there is time for one on one help and the dog is always gone over by a man and a woman each evening.  Again a wooden floor, but with mats out for the triangle.
I would say that it would be a good idea for them to get the basics here for a month, then move to Romsey in September.  The Romsey has more of a show format for them to get used to how a show works, and has a match on the first week of every month.

All details for the Tuesday night ringcraft at Upham are in the link below.  Its a nice one to start babies off at.  I will have to check when Romsey starts up again and then I'll post those details.  To be honest I have never been to the central Southampton one, but I know they shut for a chunk of the year, and have heard they specialise in toy breeds.  (Tuesdays Sept-May, details on the Southampton and district Canine Association)

http://www.uphamvillagehall.org.uk/Users.html

there is one in totton on a wednesday but its  just for toy breeds and there was one in millbrook but dont know if it still runs