Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but here goes, as it affects so many of us who own dogs.

As you will be aware the South East Region on the Countryside Alliance is organising a gathering outside the new £16 million RSPCA HQ in Wilberforce Road, Southwater, Horsham, to highlight the dangers and implications of a hunting ban to the ordinary dog owner and to raise awareness amongst the public and the media of the tens of thousands of working dogs that would be at risk from a ban.

All packs of hounds from the South East and other regions including dogs from London have been invited to attend, along with all other dogs and their owners. Please bring your terriers, gundogs, lurchers, greyhounds etc. (on leads please and bring a “pooper scooper”).

If you haven’t got a dog, please come and support us anyway; there will be a number of cardboard cut-out dogs on sticks available!

This event is designed as the National focus for many other dog events throughout the country which will take place during early August.

We expect this event to receive national press coverage. There will be a speaker to address the gathering.

We have arranged a private field a short walk from RSPCA HQ in which we will meet at 11am.

Please look for orange CA Rally signs directing you from the two roundabouts on the A24 to the North and South of Southwater, which is south west of Horsham, West Sussex. These will lead you to the field where there will be a marshal to direct you. Please do not go direct to the RSPCA HQ.

If further details are required please contact the SW Regional Office on 01798 344720.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

When is it Jo? I live in Horsham, so would love to go.

I didn't know that Dave :) I'm from Horsham, originally - only moved to Reading 3yrs ago!!

Fiona
x x x

Unfortunately Jo living in South Yorkshire I'm afraid it's too far for me;( But I'll be with you in spirit;) Good Luck:)

Stacey x x x

P.S; When is it?

I'd love to go Jo, but too many people know me at headquarters and it would reflect badly on my dad :( He's still very involved in the Society and I'd hate to do anything that could affect his reputation.

I'll be with you in spirit though :)

Fiona
x x x

Done a search for dates and got this link Countryside Alliance South East

>>>>Wednesday 7 August

CA South East Dog Day
RSPCA Headquarters, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex
11am <<<<<<<

Well done - silly old me forgot to put in the date!! Geriatric or what?

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Just wondering if I can manage 5 flatcoats in harness, as husband has to work on Wednesday! I may be fairly easy to identify if anyone would like to say hello - Pam can you get up??

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

I'll keep an eye out for you Jo, I'm planning to go, will have my GSP and JRx with me, you won't be alone I know lots of people who are planning to take 5/6 dogs on their own. If the family come with me I might even be able to help you out. Ingrid

Thanks, Ingrid - I'll hold you to that!!!!

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Feel free Jo, there are at least 2 of us going and only 2 dogs so if you need any help, give me a shout. Ingrid

Unsure at present if I can make it - with my hounds. Wish I'd known sooner.
I used to be a voluntary homevisitor for the R.S.P.C.A. when I lived on the Isle of Wight (prior to autumn '97).

Pam

Try to make it, Pam (and everybody else, of course).

As far as home visits for the RSPCA are concerned, they used to phone me up fairly regularly in Pembrokeshire pleading poverty and wanting home visits done (not even petrol money offered) - and they have all these millions ££££s stashed away.............no further comment!

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

hi,
will anyone ever take on the r.s.p.c.a, i would not give them the drippings from my nose,more like the masons,
if they have all this money then why can't they afford to have and pay behaviorist at there shelters to asses and help with the problems that these poor dogs have, instead of inexperienced idiots doing more harm than good regards tina.

Tina, I think you will find that Masons are more use to the community :D

hi leigh
i just ment it as a figure of speach,masons are more open these days and am aware they do a lot for the community with there charity, perhaps it's were i am from and years ago it was a very sacred society, hard to infiltrate and they all stick together, does that sound any better regards tina

My comment was very tongue in cheek Tina ;-)

Jo, I am gutted that I will not be able to go today :-( I will be with you all in spirit. Let us know how you get on :-)

I'll take the camera with me Leigh and send you some pictures so you can see how many supporters there are. At least the sun is shining so we won't get wet !!!! Ingrid

Thank you Ingrid! That would be great :-)

Well. we're back. Met Ingrid, plus better half plus gorgeous dogs - lovely to meet up with them - they recognised our pack instantly!!!! Very hot close day for the dogs, and everybody was quite serious and intent on making the point that any legislation will affect all our dogs.

There were all sorts of breeds represented - just about all the hounds, I think, including deerhounds and dachsies. Gundogs, of course - again, very many of the breeds represented, and some show dogs supporting us, which was fantastic - we must all pull together on this one. Also poodles, sheepdogs and many others. Too hot for them, really, but we didn't have to go far.

Well - the RSPCA building - least said the better, I think. Monstrous Carbuncle or what? How they can spend all that money from well-intentioned little old ladies that way is beyond me. It looks a little like a metallic IKEA on a bad day. Ingrid has some photos. Saw some witticisms -

RSCPA= Royal Society for Payment of Cash to Architects ..and another I can't remember

The police were brilliant, as was Richard Meade's address to the crowd (but they could have had a better loud speaker). Two antis were on the gate - felt a little sorry for them. Hope someone gave them a drink.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Many thanks for the feedback Jo. I am glad you had a good day and hope that it wasn't totally wasted on the RSPCA. Ingrid very kindly sent me some photographs. I see what you mean about the new building! How the hell did they get planning permission for that!!!

Thank you Ingrid, much appreciated ... especially the one of the *shiny buttons* ~ that made me feel a lot better :D

Roll on 22nd .... I will be there even if they have to carry me!

There was a rumour that the fact that the ex Chief Officer was connected with the council eased the plans through but nothing was ever proved.

I loved the old building as I spent the majority of my childhood there waiting for dad to finish work - somehow I can't imagine anyone feeling the same about the new HQ.

Fiona
x x x

That building is a real eyesore, I was talking to one of the organisers who told me their car park is bigger then the one at the local Tesco, how can they justify all that money.
Jo I would have looked a total idiot if that hadn't been you with dogs, but who cares, I am in awe of you now, 5 gorgeous dogs and not one caused as much chaos as my Hell Hound, still at least he slept all afternoon, and Merlin was pleased to see all his family there, mum, dad, aunties, uncles, grandma, and brothers/sisters.
What a wonderful turnout, over 800 people and twice as many dogs, and no trouble whatsoever, hopefully see you both on the 22nd.
Ingrid

Sounds like you made your point though- glad it was a good turn out:) A peaceful protest eh;) The weather was okay up here- how did it hold out for you lot? Ingrid are those photo's on the pc?- I wouldn't mind seeing them if they are;)

Stacey x x x

Sorry I didn't get there with my hounds - Delivery people phoned to
say our new TV would be delivered Wednesday after 10.30 a.m.
We now have a widescreen 5.1 digital dolby Phillips 28'' screen.

Ironically their is a breed club committee meeting in Bedford on Sunday 22nd Sept so I won't be able to get to the march. (I'm treasurer).

Pam

Pam - surely a committee meeting could easily be changed - after all - this is a very serious and major event that most clubs are working around.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

They're not the only ones Jo! Do you know that the Gundog Society of Wales are still holding their Champ. Show on that day too!

I phoned up the sec a while ago and left a message on his answerphone, but it was never returned. I just hope that for once people get their priorities sorted our.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats