Want A Holiday
Although I have been given the opportunity to appear as a Judge at Ferret Shows many times, it was with tongue in cheek that I set off for Liverpool, having been invited to the North West Ferret Owners Club (NWFOC) Members Show.
Having arrived at mine hosts abode late in the evening somewhat tired from travelling, I did not see the garden or the Ferrets until next morning.
The first thing I noticed was not the well built sturdy cages all of which were 8ft long on 2 levels with concrete floors, but the lovely smell of Honeysuckle and other flowers in bloom.
Imagine a garden 30yds long by 10yds wide, with flowers, trees and shrubs concealing fences and garage with a well kept lawn, across the centre of which was a honeysuckle covered trellis with an archway. Beyond this were various pieces/sizes of pipe, boxes with holes cut in, car tyres, climbing frames, underground runs and many other items too numerous to mention laid out in a haphazard manner.
NB The garden had been made completely escape proof to Ferrets.
David suggested that I go to the far end of the garden and what a surprise that was. While letting the Ferrets out of their cages he continually made what can best be described as a kissing sound which the Ferrets related to as they kept to within 2/3 yards of him, either looking up or milling around at his feet.
He then sprinted towards me still chattering to the Ferrets, what a sight as all 9 chased behind him, yet as soon as he stopped running they went off in different directions to play in/around the various items already mentioned or to dig in the garden along the sides. They were obviously enjoying it as they rarely stopped "Chuntering".
Another surprise followed around 20 minutes later when David walked back to their cages, and commenced to call them, they immediately left whatever they were doing and ran to him jumping and climbing back in without any encouragement.
When we arrived for the show that evening there were around 50 people present most of them with their Ferrets. I was introduced to their Chairman Stan Davis who made me most welcome and then he proceeded to enlighten me on the evenings schedule which had been prepared in a relaxed but professional way, I then met their Secretary Colin Sykes who is a real "Country Character"
The NWFOC has only been formed about 12 months, yet with Stan and Colin running it they have a great future to look forward to. Their abilities and methods far exceed some who have been tinkering with it for several years.
Members had come from roughly a 50 mile radius with some from Manchester. As is usual in most clubs these days with the ever increasing popularity of the Ferret, the majority were pet owners.
I later learnt that because of the enthusiasm of members to enter their Ferrets weeks beforehand was so great that the committee had made a brilliant decision to restrict the numbers of Ferrets to make it equal for everyone.
An owner of a Pet shop was present selling items all at a discount to the members.
Refreshments (Non Alcoholic) were made available all evening for myself and the other 2 judges Karina Rodgers of Shropshire who is involved with all kinds of animals sometimes hand rearing them, includes Badgers, Hedgehogs and Squirrels and Ritchie Shepard ( Betty's Husband ).
Betty Shepard was answering members questions throughout the evening in an informative and professional style, I know I'm biased towards her, but in the view of many, She puts into Ferret Welfare every day what a lot think about once a year.
A amateur video was made of the evening, which members can look back on to learn from mistakes or pick up on good points of which there were many.
In my working life I organised and attended Trade Union conferences and it completed my short holiday to meet old acquaintances from the Tourism & Leisure department.
It was with sadness that I left this great city, the NWFOC, Betty & Richie Shepard, David Jones and his sons who had made my stay so wonderful.
The Ferrets World is a better place thanks to the dedication of the above people.
Tom Sturgess