Dexter Group - Somewhere near us!!!

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Sun May 31, 2009 2:20 pm

Hello to anyone anywhere near the Abergavenny, Monmouth area or reasonable driving distance.

We cannot find a Local Group near us at all and are wondering if there really isn't one then maybe there are other Dexter owners that would like one?

If so we should consider getting together and discussing the possibility - if there are enough of us it may work. If there are only a couple of people maybe we could just have the occasional meeting anyway and a nose at each others cattle?

Post by **Mark Bowles** » Sun May 31, 2009 6:15 pm

Hi Saffy,
it must be 9 or 10 years ago i was in the same position. We were keen but our "local" groups were a fair way away.
At the time i wrote to eveyone in the herdbook that lived in Leicestershire and invited them to a "gathering" at our house, the response was tremendous. We have since established ourselves as the Leicestershire group in 2002 i think.
We are not a high profile group, we just get on with things quietly to suit ourselves. At our height we had 45 herds as members, we have now settled back to about 30, all in Leicestershire and the counties that surround it. Its great, we have done all sorts, this year we plan to run our second herd competion which is a lot of fun.
So my advice is do it, even if you get just a couple of responses it would be worth it, the enjoyment and banter is wonderfull.
If anyone in our area wishes to join our merry group then contact Christine Clarke on 01509 821806

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Sun May 31, 2009 9:33 pm

Thanks Mark - very much what I was considering doing actually and so nice to know it has worked before for you.

Stephanie

oaklands · Post by **oaklands** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:00 am

hi,my name is ruth.We live just outside Abergavenny on a very small holding.Our dexters can hardly be called a herd ,but would like to join in. Started with two,Bramble and Daydream and have had a calf each.Will watch this space for further details

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:23 am

Hi Ruth,

That it brilliant!

I shall PM you some details asap.

Like Mark has suggested I do intend contacting local people in the herdbook by letter that I can't get hold of through this forum and asking them along, also there are a very few locals that I know well enough to ring but it doesn't mean they will want be part of anything of course.

Stephanie

redhill · Post by **redhill** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:20 pm

Count us in Stephanie,

Bill and Sue Osborne,and Patricia Pinkerton,Forest of Dean

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:32 pm

Hello Bill and Sue,

I had hoped you two might be interested - you have saved me a phone call! I shall PM you soon.

Stephanie :D

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:30 am

Hello Again,

I have a letter ready to go out to Monmouthshire and any other interested Members.

The addresses I am using come from the 2006 Herdbook. It is hard to know how big an area people will want to come from, so if you aren't in there or are outside Monmouthshire but would like a letter inviting you to the farm for tea and a chat about hopefully forming a Local Group with us, please let me know asap, then a date can be set, it will be on a weekend to make it convenient for as many of us as possible, does late afternoon sound OK? The more the merrier!

If you have already given me your details there is no need to do it again.

Stephanie

redhill · Post by **redhill** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:48 pm

Hello Stephanie

Is it your intention that the group is only open to DCS members. around here we have a collection of Dexter keepers who are enthusiastic about their cattle, but are not members, I think this is happening all around the country. Sue Castlemears Herd

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:08 pm

I hadn't really thought about it Sue but don't know if there is any reason that we can't incorporate both members and non members of the DCS.

It would be nice to have as many as possible and be as inclusive as possible.

Does anyone here know the answer please? Or any likely problems of having both.

Stephanie

Post by **Mark Bowles** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:02 pm

Stephanie, as far as i know you can do what you want. You can have an unofficail group of anyone who keeps dexters and you run it how you like.
The DCS official way means you have to have an AGM, have a chairman and secretary at the very least, i assume have accounts and sign an affiliation form to the DCS. If the group packs up i think the monies go to the DCS but the DCS does cover you for insurance.
I think i am correct but you may have to contact Sue in the office for confirmation. If you have an official group i think you can still have non DCS members, our group are all members so the question has not arisen apart from when we have newbies come on visits before joining.
Hope this helps a bit, maybe other groups could reply to you too.

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:40 pm

Thanks Mark,

I shall ask Sue if you can be an official group and still have non DCS members.

Stephanie

Pennielea · Post by **Pennielea** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:39 pm

Saffy If you have not yet had an answer from Sue and for the benefit of others who may be interested. We in N.Ireland set up a Group some years ago and it has been a great success both socially and for the promotion of our Breed.

The DCS constitution para 12.1 says:-'If a Regional Association has been set up to further the Objects of the Charity and wishes to be recognised by the Charity it must abide by the constitution laid down for regional associations'

As Mark has said it is up to you whether you ask for recognition or not. If you do not then you should not be able to use the word 'Dexter' in the title of your Group.

The Group Constitution then states:- 'Full membership shall be open to any individual, family or organisation which is also a member of the Dexter Cattle Society."

"Associate Membership shall be open to any individual over the age of 18. Associate Members shall be entitled to received notice of and to attend and speak at all meetings of the Group and can vote."

So you can have a recognised Group containing members who are not members of the DCS.

Ian

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:45 pm

Thanks Ian,

That is brilliant news, when we get together to chat about it the first time, we can find out what most people actually want to do, the main thing is to get together!

Stephanie

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:18 am

Hello again,

I am sending the letter of invitation out by post today but I may well be missing out some people that would like to come, so if you don’t get a letter but you would like to come – please do – we would love to see you!!! You don’t have to be a DCS member or live in Monmouthshire, although we hope to base the group around Monmouthshire and the surrounding area. So if you would like to come along – you will be MOST welcome! Please consider yourself invited if you have Dexters or are intending to get Dexters and live within travelling distance of what I hope will soon be a new group.

There is an exert from the letter below – if you would like my phone number or email address just PM me.

Stephanie

Dear Fellow Dexter Keepers,

I am writing to you as I am hoping to get a few relatively local Dexter owners together with a view to starting a Local Dexter Group as Chris and I cannot find a group to join within a reasonable driving distance and would like to belong to one.

If you are interested please come along to our farm for tea, an informal chat and if the weather is kind and time allows, maybe a short walk around on Sunday 21st June at 4pm.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Stephanie Powell

Our farm is situated approximately 4 miles from Abergavenny and 10 miles from Monmouth, a quarter of a mile the Abergavenny side of Llanvapley. A small black sign at the top of the drive which says - Stephanie Powell Therapies - postcode, NP7 8SF.

From Pontypool, Blaenavon or Gilwern. Come into Abergavenny from the main Heads of Valley roundabout. Just before the Bus Station, with the Abergavenny Hotel on your left turn right onto Holywell Road. At the other end of Holywell Road there is a tiny roundabout, turn right onto the B4233. (After 3.6 miles, the farm drive is on the left.)

From the Monmouth direction, go into Monmouth and at the bottom end of the town, near the old show field, take the Rockfield road, which is theB4233. Keep going through Rockfield, The Onen, past Llantilio Crossenny and Llanvapley. Duffryn Farm drive will be a quarter mile on the right

S :D