Race Sponsors

Date

Feb

2008

To All B.W.R.A Members

Due to circumstances beyond the control of the B.W.R.A.

Doncaster Stadium ( Stainforth )

 Has informed the National Committee they are no longer in a position to hold any other meetings other than NGRC. This is a precaution and control while a virus being investigated by the NGRC is brought to a conclusion.

THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Now Wish To inform Members that both the:

TYRONE BEND OPEN 9th March 2008.

&

THE B.W.R.A BEND CHAMPIONSHIPS 30th March 2008

Have now been relocated to:

 Highgate Stadium.

The committee would like to thank the Managment of Highgate for there assistance and help.

To All B.W.R.A Members

Minutes from BWRA Reps Meeting 10th February 2008 - Old Hall

Regions Present

North West:     L. Broom, J. Marsden, F Marsden

North East:      R. Young, P. Jobson, E. Miller

North York's:    J. Noble, T. Rowley

South York's:    W. Potts, Y. Raganoli

East Midlands: I. Cunningham, K. Cunningham, K. Wright

Scotland and South Regions not represented.

Whippet News: C. Cornish

A Meeting of the National Committee

Took place prior to the Regional Reps meeting on the same day 10/02/08 reference Mr. & Mrs. Bellwoods ballot results.

The ballot papers result were checked by the whole committee to determine the validity of the ballot papers the following results were agreed upon.

Mr. B. Bellwood,   To take action 84 votes

                         To take no action 74 votes

                         Invalid papers 9 votes

                         Abstentions 5 votes

Mrs. D. Bellwood, To take action 94 votes

                         To take no action 65 votes

                         Invalid papers 8 votes

                         Abstentions 5 votes

A Meeting of the BWRA reps commenced at 12:15pm

The chairman (Tony Cooper) stated that this was a very serious situation involving two persons lives and we have to get this right. The Chairman added to this to put a motion forward that perhaps a more simplified ballot form to be sent out to members and have this situation re-voted upon.

It was then asked what have these two people done to the BWRA as the money was taken from the N.N.W.R.F. It was discussed that the members are attached to both the Associations and a lot members have strong feelings that the money belonged to the membership.

The suggestion of a re-vote was discussed at some length and was rejected by those present as it was believed the Mr. & Mrs. Bellwood had been dealt with fairly and as the ballot results showed the majority of BWRA members wanted action taken against both Mr & Mrs Bellwood. Therefore the results of the ballot shall stand. The chairman offered to the regional representatives any region wishing to scrutinize the ballot papers there and then. They were welcome to do so prior to the results being informed to Mr & Mrs Bellwood.

L. Broom stated that the NNWRF money had been paid back what they could prove had been taken. R. Young replied this could of been a lot more.

L. Broom asked why T. Weatherson and Y. Raganoli had not been as severely reprimanded by the BWRA for a similar offence involving the NWRF.

E. Miller asked why does it always get back to the Tony and Yvonne situation as this is a completely separate matter and has nothing to do with the current situation. E. Miller went on to say that any personal feelings should be kept to themselves.

J. Marsden asked why we were treating Mr & Mrs Bellwood as a couple as it was

                  Diane Bellwood that was the Treasurer of the NNWRF not Bruce.

C. Cornish (Whippet News) then replied if that was the case and it was assumed that B. Bellwood was not guilty then why was he not challenging the ban imposed upon him by the NNWRF.

R. Young & T. Cooper then asked do members know the full extent of what has been taken, for instance, are they aware the taking of monies that should of gone to charities.

At this point several open discussions followed it was also asked if they did sue would they have a case.

R. Young & E. Miller explained that Mr & Mrs Bellwood have brought the sport into disrepute.

The Chairman explained that it was his aim to ensure a fair hearing.

I. Cunningham explained that she did not think this matter should be dealt with at Regional Rep level as some have there own personal opinions.

The Chairman (T. Cooper) then issued the results of the members voting forms returned.

Details as show above.

I. Cunningham asked that if the BWRA did not ban them, would it not then be up to the clubs to decide if they will allow them to run.

R. Young thought that a lot of people felt so strongly that if they were not banned it may result in further repercussions among members racing with them.

Y. Raganoli stated we should stick with the members votes at present.

A Proposal was then issued by L. Broom and seconded by I. Cunningham that we stick with the members votes and see what happens next.

Votes taken 12 votes to continue with the present ballot forms and zero against.

A. Armstrong (National Secretary) said that she thought someone should contact

                     Mr & Mrs Bellwood straight away to inform them of the outcome.

The Chairman then telephoned and explained to Mr B. Bellwood the results of the Members ballot vote and that both himself and Diane were indefinitely suspended from the BWRA. The Chairman also explained that both parties had a right of appeal within 28 days to the National Secretary.

The Chairman (Tony Cooper) then raised the issues once again about BWRA members posting on the K9 Forum and in particular reference comments posted by Tony Taylor stating that the BWRA members Vote would come back rigged with a life ban. The Chairman explained that these type of negative comments do not help in anyway. It was agreed a letter would be sent to Tony Taylor that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated with in the BWRA

R . Young explained she thought the committee were doing a good job under difficult circumstances. These type of people need to be dealt with to try and get whippet racing back on its feet and encourage the friendly family sport that it used to be.

L. Rowley (National Registrar) raised the detail of breeding received on registration forms, for instance quoting whippet/greyhound or unknown/unraced in not acceptable and will result in possibly having forms returned unregistered. Members must be more specific, this will assist with a smooth registration of there charges.

Meeting Closed.

2008

To all B.W.R.A. Member's

The Result of the Ballot forms sent to All B.W.R.A. Members.

339 Ballot Forms sent. 172 Ballot Forms returned.

Result: Mr Bruce Bellwood.

Members Voted.

To take No action 74.Votes. To take action 84.Votes. Abstain 5. Votes Invalid 9. Votes.

The Majority of the votes to Indefinitely suspend Mr B Bellwood from the B.W.R.A.

Result: Mrs Dianne Bellwood.

Members Voted.

To take No action 65.Votes. To take action 94.Votes. Abstain 5. Votes Invalid 8. Votes.

The Majority of the votes to Indefinitely suspend Mrs D Bellwood from the B.W.R.A.

The Committee have informed Mr & Mrs Bellwood today 10th February 2008 as to the outcome of the B.W.R.A. Members Ballot

Mr & Mrs Bellwood have the right of appeal to the National Secretary with in 28 days.

January

2008

To all B.W.R.A. Member's

In Reply to your comments on the K9 web site.

1.Proposals every two years was brought in 2004 the votes were as follows.

For 121 Against 45 Abstain 5 Votes

2. Dope testing was stopped in 2006 BWRA AGM.

Minutes from Agm November 5th 2006.

The drug testing issue was also discussed with the solicitor, IE the legality of the procedure and legal implications for any person involved with taking of samples. It was made quite clear that the BWRA would need a sum of money put to one side of an amount no less than £50,000 to cover some of the costs that may arise from a positive result, this sum would only be the tip of the iceberg if the BWRA were to be brought to court by any owner who challenged the result of their whippet producing a positive sample.

The Chairman (Tony Cooper) explained one way would be to get every owner to sign a waver that they would not sue any BWRA member involved in the taking of the said sample if the sample was returned positive, but after what the solicitor had informed the BWRA this waver may not hold up in a court of law.

Neil Gilbert then proposed that we stop drug testing for the foreseeable future and John Stayte Seconded this. A vote was then taken and it was agreed to stop testing.

I was not secretary at this time but the minutes of the 2006 AGM would have been sent out to all Regional Secretaries and published in the Whippet News.

If any member has any problems or questions, please do not hesitate to contact myself or any other committee member we are more than willing to assist you with your query.

Alison Armstrong BWRA National Secretary

2008

B.W.R.A Reps Meeting

Minutes from Reps Meeting 16th December 2007

Highgate Stadium.

Regions Present.

North West: L Broom, J Marsden & F Marsden North East: E Miller, P Jobson & R Young North Yorkshire: J Noble,J Gill. & T Rowley South Yorkshire: D Cockhrane & Y Raganoli East Mids: L Windle & S Copley.

The Meeting was held as a letter had been received from a solicitor representing Mr B Bellwood

The meeting opened with the Chairman reading out the letter received from Mr Bellwood's solicitor. It was agreed that most of the points in the letter were correct and that a vote to ban Mr Bellwood should not have been taken at an Annual General meeting, when Mr Bellwood was not present and therefore unable to defend himself.

L Broom then asked what Y Raganoli was doing in the meeting when a proposal was passed at the AGM that any one ever under a ban from BWRA could not be a Regional Rep.

Y Raganoli was then asked to leave the meeting Mr D Cockrhane also left.

Mr Bellwood was then invited into the meeting to put forward his case. Mr Bellwood stated that allegations had been made against him that were not true, he also stated that he was asked not to attend the NNWRF meeting which was held before the B.W.R.A AGM and he did think he would be discussed at the B.W.R.A AGM Meeting.

Following a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that it was wrong to have taken the vote to ban Mr & Mrs Bellwood at the B.W.R.A AGM when feelings were running high from the N.N.W.R.F meeting.

Mrs Armstrong stated that we probably would not have been in this situation had we not allowed the N.N.W.R.F to hold their meeting prior to the B.W.R.A AGM.

A vote was taken to put it out to a postal vote therefore giving all members their chance to vote on what or if any punishment should be imposed on Mr & Mrs Bellwood.

Votes were for 7 against 7. the Chairman had the casting vote and voted that it should go out to a postal vote. Proposal forms to be sent out as soon as possible in the new year.

.........................................................................................................

Linda Windle then spoke on behalf of the East Midlands Region

The East Midlands:  Linda stated that they were not happy that the proposals were put forward and voted on at the 2007 AGM when it is not proposals year until 2008.

J Gill proposed L Windle Seconded: The proposals voted on at the AGM should be carried over until the 2008 Proposals meeting. Votes For 9 Against 6 Passed.

The Following Proposals will need to be put forward again for the 2008 proposals meeting.

•  To reinstate Dope testing

•  Memberships to be increased to help cover the cost of testing

•  Any Person who has ever been under a Ban from the BWRA cannot be put forward as a     Regional Representative.

 Alison ( B.W.R.A National Secretary)

Postal Voting Forms.

All members by now should have received this form.

Please return as soon as possible.