Due to planned training of Instructors, we would like to remind members that there is no training classes on the following dates this week. Sunday 10th February 2013 - Canine Sports Faculty Closed (No Agility, Flyball or Rally Obedience Classes) Wednesday 13th February 2013 - No Obedience or Ring Craft Classes. Add Comment  Canine Sports Faculty Closed Agility, Flyball and Rally Obedience Closed (27th January 2013) Due to the snow and ground conditions, all Agility, Flyball and Rally Obedience classes on Sunday 27th January 2013 have been cancelled for this week. IMPORTANT - OBEDIENCE & RING CRAFT CANCELLED TONIGHT (23rd January) After a meeting of the management team this morning, it was decided that in the interests of safety given the current bad weather and road conditions in Kensworth. All classes at Kensworth Village Hall would be cancelled tonight for Obedience & Ring Craft. A extra week will be added onto the end of the course instead.  Canine Sports Faculty Closed - Agility, Flyball and Rally Obedience Closed (20th January 2013) Due to the snow and ground conditions, all Agility, Flyball and Rally Obedience classes on Sunday 20th January 2013 have been cancelled for this week. 
The Central Bedfordshire Canine Trust together with the National Lottery Big Lottery Fund today announced they are Ready To Rally! with the opening of a new Rally Obedience facility at the trusts Canine Sports Faculty. The Central Bedfordshire Canine Trust (Reg. Charity 1124683) was the first (and still the only) canine organisation to receive Lottery Funding for a dog related activity, when it opened its Canine Sports Faculty for Agility & Flyball in Kensworth, Bedfordshire, two years ago. Over the last six months the trust has been in private talks with the Big Lottery Fund to expand the funding to include the new Canine Sport of Rally Obedience. The new facility which will open late January 2013 will be funded by the Big Lottery Fund and will provide training classes for Rally Obedience. For under 18’s, over 65’s and anyone on a low income the classes will be free and for anyone else wanting to take part there will be a minimal fee. The funding proposal and agreement have been negotiated by the trusts Chief Executive, Gary Gregory and although the amount is currently undisclosed, it is known it will pay for the new training facility, equipment and venue. Gary said today “We are over the moon that the Big Lottery Fund has agreed to fund the new facility. Two years ago we were the first canine organisation to receive lottery funding for Agility and Flyball and we have been able to prove to the Big Lottery Fund that Canine Sports increase community relations, encourage people to get active and promotes a healthy lifestyle.” As well as providing the training classes in Rally Obedience the overall project it designed to help people of all ages and abilities take part in regular exercise and activities with their dogs, particularly those who are not able to take part in traditional sports. Gary added “Not everyone is a gym bunny, and we have been able to show the Big Lottery Fund that by involving their dogs, we have given people the opportunity to take part in an alternative form of exercise, as well as a motivation for taking part.” It is understood that the plans were well under way, prior to The Kennel Club formally recognising Rally Obedience and included officials visiting Rally Obedience seminars last summer. Rally Obedience is a cross between obedience and agility, with the dog and handler working together to perform exercises at signs (stations) along a course set by the judge. It is the latest Canine Sport to be recognised by The Kennel Club and the trust was particularly interested in it, as it was suitable for handlers with disabilities to take part in. The trust which also organises the Central Bedfordshire Dog Show & Central Bedfordshire Canine Sports Games announced the funding will also help promote these events, responsible dog ownership and in particular will enable the Canine Sports Games to hold Agility, Flyball and Rally Obedience special classes for disabled handlers as well as the extra equipment and facilities (including accessible toilets) required to make the event venue welcoming and accessible to people with additional needs. The Central Bedfordshire Dog Show in June 2013, will be attended by Her Majesties Lord Lieutenant Of Bedfordshire (who is the Queens Representative). Her Majesties Lord Lieutenant Of Bedfordshire will be accompanied by a party of MP’s, council and local dignitaries who will present a Big Lottery Fund insignia to the trust to celebrate the new funding partnership between the Central Bedfordshire Canine Trust and The Big Lottery Fund. 
The Central Bedfordshire Canine Trust is keen to promote the new discipline of Rally Obedience. So the January Bronze & Silver Rally-O Course is FREE to any trust member enrolled on a January Obedience, Agility or Flyball course and for anybody who is on a low income (gets free NHS Prescriptions). You must still enrol in the normal way and select the free payment option. Click Here For More Information And To Enrol Over the last year the trust has noticed that an ever growing number of members are taking part in more than one training course with the trust at a time, either with the same dog or different dogs. As the trusts training courses grow and now include Obedience, Flyball, Agility, Ring Craft and Rally Obedience we are keen to encourage members to have fun with their dogs in as many disciplines as possible! We know that everyone has to watch the pennies and we want to make it simpler and easier for members to enjoy our full range of training courses. We have listened to our members who told us, that taking part in more than one course at a time was difficult because it was a lot of money to find at the same time each renewal and it could be confusing. So the Training Pass is aimed at members who take part in two or more courses at a time. The monthly subscription of £25 covers two handlers and up to three dogs from the same household, for an unlimited number of training courses across all our activities. We are very excited and proud to launch the new training pass, and already many members have signed up ready to enjoy the savings! We listened to your feedback and acted upon it, and we hope that as many members as possible will utilise the new scheme. Training passes are not suitable for everyone, and if you only attend one training course at a time, you are better to continue enrolling in the normal way. You can find out more about the new training passes and apply online at the link below. We are no longer accepting the “trial paper applications” for training passes. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. The Central Bedfordshire Canine Trust, is very pleased to announce that our first ever “Central Bedfordshire Canine Sports Games” sponsored by Cobby Dog will take place on Sunday 9th September 2012 at Nash Farm, Kensworth. The new annual event really does have something for everyone, and promises to be a great day out for your dog, you and the whole family! Complete beginners can attend the 11am “Have A Go Agility & Flyball” session where our experienced instructors will introduce you and your dogs to the exciting world of dog Agility and Flyball. From 12.00 noon the fun really starts, as everyone from beginners to experienced competitors have the chance to take part in a class for their level. Including Flyball time trial, fastest tunnel, agility pairs relay and Agility classes for all levels. This fantastic day showcases the great fun to be had for you and your dog! The whole family are invited, refreshments will be available but you are welcome to bring your own chairs, picnic and spend a great day taking part and watching the action packed and fun competitions. This informal day has all the hallmarks of a great day out, and certainly is not to be missed! At just £5 per dog for the whole days activities (enter as many classes and “Have A Go” Sessions as you like, all for just £5 per dog). Free admission and parking for spectators, friends and family! So whether you are a complete beginner wanting to try Agility and Flyball or a seasoned competitor, aiming for the podium and medals, this event is not to be missed! Dog Registration for this event closes on Thursday 6th September 2012, for more information or to register online, click here! Kennel Club Accredited Instructor Scheme Mentor Withdraws Support For Bedfordshire Members!05/05/2012 The Central Bedfordshire Canine Trust was extremely disappointed today; to have it confirmed that the Kennel Club Regional Mentor for the East Of England, Sheena Stebbing was withdrawing her support to Kennel Club Accredited Instructor Scheme members in Bedfordshire as the sessions did “not justify a 5 hour journey so we will no longer be attending your sessions” The trust however remains committed to finding an alternative solution, and to continuing to provide the sessions under the new group name of the “Central Bedfordshire Instructors Club” The Central Bedfordshire Canine Trust has been hosting the monthly sessions in Dunstable, Bedfordshire on behalf of the regional mentor to enable local KCAI members the opportunity to attend a session in their local area and work towards the KCAI Scheme and City & Guilds Qualification, as many of the other sessions are a long drive away and there is no other provision in Bedfordshire. The trust provided the venue at no charge to The Kennel Club or the regional mentor, but charged a token £2 per person fee for refreshments. As the activities of the sessions grew, the trust found itself subsidising the sessions even further by arranging speakers, certificates and administration to the group, it was recently announced the trust would change the pricing to an annual membership of the group of £10.60 per year and just £4 per session attended to cover venue, speaker and insurance costs. KC Regional Mentor, Sheena Stebbing said in an email to the Central Bedfordshire Canine Trust, Chief Executive, Gary Gregory when the price changes were announced: “leave me no choice but to cancel all meetings at Dunstable in the future” In a response the trusts Chief Executive said “The Central Bedfordshire Canine Trust offered the KCAI Mentor the use of the venue and has fully supported the KCAI scheme. However when it was first agreed it was not envisaged that the support would extend to sending out certificates, arranging speakers, printing of paperwork or administration. Whilst we willingly have done so to support the scheme and would continue to do, it is crucial that all these costs to the trust are covered. The Trust and myself have to date, been unwavering in our support for the KCAI scheme and the sessions, but the simple fact is that in these economic times, the trust as a charity cannot continue to subsidise the financial loss of these sessions.” With immediate effect the Kennel Club Regional Mentor, Sheena Stebbing will not be attending the sessions, but the trust is committed to providing support to KCAI members in Bedfordshire as we fear the loss of a support network will undo the progress made so far, in encouraging dog training instructors to sign up to the scheme and gain a qualification the public can have confidence in. Gary Gregory added: “We think it is unacceptable that KCAI scheme members should have to travel so far for a mentoring session, when they pay The Kennel Club an annual fee for the support and mentoring of a Regional Mentor. We are very disappointed with the decision and would urge the mentor in question and The Kennel Club to reconsider, the offer of our support and venue is always open, but the sessions must cover the trusts costs. If the distance is too far for the mentor to drive, we would urge the Kennel Club to appoint a more local mentor to better serve its Bedfordshire members.” The trust is currently working on alternative arrangements for the sessions, and these may include study groups for members to support each other and the continuation of the monthly talks and networking opportunities. The trust will call an emergency meeting of its management committee on Tuesday 8th May 2012 to decide what alternatives may be found, and will then issue a further release and information. No Agility Or Flyball Classes Tomorrow! Due to the recent weather and ground under foot, there will be no Agility or Flyball Classes on Sunday 29th April 2012 at the trusts Canine Sports Faculty. | The Latest Trust News!
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