The death has occured of

GEORGINA GOODISON

on Thursday the 3rd March 2022

In Memoriam

Georgina was a lifetime staunch supporter of the GCCFI and a member of SABBCI. She had been until recent years a unique and most successful breeder of Siamese cats in Ireland, with wonderful breed lines, which led to great successes in shows across the country and in the UK.

As the Treasurer of SABBCI for many years, Georgina, whose lifetime experience with financial matters gained from her career as Chief Accountant in Guinnesses' Brewery, had oversight of the club's finances. She saw to it that all our financial affairs were properly conducted and kept in good order, thereby ensuring that we always had funds in hands to enable us to put on our Cat Shows.

Geogina's other interests included the activities of the Fine Gael party in her local area of Dun laoghaire and the British Legion. Her father had served in the RAF during the War and Georgina was a loyal supporter of the Legion's commemorative events.

Ar dheis Dé go raimh a anam dílis. 

Shows Update

GCCFI are pleased to announce that shows will recommence in 2022, subject to Covid restrictions at the time. The first show will be the Midland Cat Club on 20^th February. This will be followed by The Supreme on 1^st May. Watch our website for further information.

We look forward to welcoming exhibitors and cats back.

Two members of the Executive recently visited the GCCF office in Bridgwater to see the new system being built for GCCFI and to receive training in its use. We had the opportunity to practice with live data. We identified some problems which had occurred in the copying over of data from our old database on to the new system and some of these were rectified while we were there. This is inevitable in copying data from an old system on to an up to the minute one.

Following our visit three Executive members have been sent a test database by the GCCF and we are testing it at present. In order to get the information as accurate as possible this is taking longer than we had anticipated. It is not possible for us to test live data so GCCF have to transfer it on to the test database for us. As soon as we are satisfied with the information and the use of the database we will be in a position for it to go live for everyone. We would anticipate, allowing for holidays, that this will be in September.

We hope that as many as possible will use the on line service. One advantage, apart from speed, is that names should be correct as there won’t be handwriting for the in putter to read. You will also be able to pay on line. Further news will be published as soon as it is available.

Lorna Blackmore Taylor

Hon Chair

Interim Report

The review report is being studied by the Executive and was discussed at the last Council meeting. The following findings were of particular interest:

• 5% were against having a taster show (being able to enter one show without registering) and 47.5% for.
• The most important factors in choosing to enter a show are Judges, cost and geographical location
• The preferred venue was a hotel. Unfortunately many hotels will not allow cats for health & safety reasons.
• The majority of exhibitors wanted to be in the hall during judging.
• Exhibitors would like to be able to speak to Judges and wanted feedback during Best in Show.
• It was felt that the show calendar was badly organised and that we needed to liaise with TICA. We have tried in the past to make contact with them regarding this but have not had a response. A further attempt will be made and the Executive will be looking at our show calendar.
• Interest expressed in double shows.
• Training for Judges & Stewards seen to be too long and the Judges’ Panel is currently looking at this.
• Would like a section for Pedigree Pets and titles for Non Pedigrees.
• Some wanted on line entry and payment by Pay Pal.
• Reduction in price for multiple entries.
• Something to encourage youngsters to become part of the Cat Fancy.

Further discussion by the Executive & Council is needed but the following will be trialled:

• Exhibitors to remain in the hall, but not the judging area, provided the venue is of sufficient size.
• An area for speaking to judges will be provided at the Dublin Championship Show. Exhibitors with cats in Best in Show must not discuss these cats, or indicate ownership, to the Judges.
• Double Shows can be tried for a year, provided the Club wants and is able to manage them. This will continue with the Midland Show in February.
• A pedigree Pet section will be introduced and further consideration will be given to titles for Non Pedigrees.

Some of the suggestions have financial implications so need to be discussed further. We hope everyone will be patient while we consider these and other ideas. Please support the changes we are currently implementing.

The GCCFI would like to thank all who have participated in the Show Survey and hope that we can make our shows more enjoyable for you and your cats.

Betty Dobbs will cease acting as Registrar from 1^st September. We will then be contracting out our registrations, transfers and prefix applications to the GCCF. In order to facilitate a smooth transfer we will be closing down our service from 1^st – 12^th September. Please do not send any applications during this period.  Paperwork must be with Betty by 31^st August in order to be processed by her.

The new service will be on line but there will be arrangements for those with no computer access. Watch this space for further details. If you have any queries please contact chair@gccfi.com  Please also note updated price list effective from September.

The Executive & Council would like to take this opportunity of thanking Betty for her enormous contribution to the GCCFI and for continuing while we finalised new arrangements.

Lorna Taylor

Hon Chair

Please note that if you apply to register (RAF) or transfer (TAF) a cat you may enter both shows (SABCCI & GCCFI) at the Dublin Championship Show on 16^th October.

Many of you will know that Betty Dobbs officially retired as Registrar last year. She has kindly continued while we investigated our options. After a lot of research and discussion the Executive recommended to Council that we should contract out our registrations and related matters to the GCCF to undertake on our behalf. This has been approved by Council and the transfer will take place within the next few months.

The GCCF will be able to provide an on line service and they will send out registration and transfer documents with our logo from the UK. Arrangements will be made for those without on line access to forward their paperwork and payment to a Council member in Ireland. Those using the on line service will be able to access their cat(s) details and make some updates. In order to help with the costs we will be charging an administrative fee of €6.00 per litter in addition to the registration fee. This only applies to registrations.

Please watch this space for further details as they become available.

Lorna Taylor

Hon Chair