President's Report
Council had a very busy two days at the time of the Council Meeting 18th April 2013. This was followed the next day by a meeting of the International Shetland Pony Committee, the first for three years.
Accounts and accountants took up quite a proportion of the time with the review of the annual accounts for 2012 and the change of accountants. This change was raised at the Annual General Meeting at Bakewell and we assured the membership that it was already under investigation, a time consuming but necessary duty and responsibility of Council. Any account related questions from members should be sent to the office prior to the next AGM to enable answers to be given without the expense of accountants travelling from Scotland. Whilst on the subject of the AGM, as was requested at the last one, Council agreed to a price reduction of the microchips and hopefully members will give this their support this year to enable us to continue with supply.
A discussion on the new format of the Society magazine, which has been well received and appreciated by members, took place and suggestions were made on further developing future editions. We hope that increased advertisements from members will be placed for the Autumn issue now that more are aware of its increased publication and popularity. An additional benefit of the magazine is the saving of the cost to print the newsletters which has resulted in a reduction in office costs.
We were pleased to have letters of acceptance of Honorary Membership from Mrs Myrna Flaws and Miss Eva Smith – both well deserved by these Shetland Island residents.
The organisation of the 2013 SPSBS Breed Show is well advanced and members have asked do we still want donations…YES please…do send any donations to Mrs Anne McCutcheon, The Lindens Hetton, Skipton BD23 6LT (or me!) as all efforts are being made to make this a show that the Society can be proud of to showcase and promote our versatile Shetland Ponies. It is the Society Breed Show for the whole membership and as such requires members’ financial support.
The ISPC Meeting took place at Hopetoun House and proved a very active and congenial meeting for UK and EU representatives. The majority of Council attended and met 19 delegates from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland. Future International Breed Shows and meetings were fully discussed and hopefully more understanding of each others’ mutual requirements will result in benefit in the future.
Like me, many of you will no doubt be looking forward to warm sunshine and green fields of grass with contented mares and foals lazing away…gone are the cold winds, rain and expectant mares resolutely refusing to get on with it ……..
