minutes

OOA
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2nd MARCH 2004 AT 1830
HRS AT THE OXFORD GRA TRACK IN THE EXECUTIVE SUITE.

PRESENT: Chairman, Stuart Locke-Hart.
Treasurer, John Alcock.
Secretary, Jenny Hebborn
Committee Members, Carl Smith, John Moss, Roy Shorter
General Manager, Jim Snowden

APOLOGIES:. RGT Representative, Mel Hancox

1. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES. Approved by Roy Shorter & Jenny Hebborn

2. RACE COMMENTRY. JS informed the meeting that there would be no race commentary for the foreseeable future as it costs approx £12k per year for staff salary. It was suggested by SL that an existing member of staff could possible take on the roll of commentator especially on Saturday nights. A possible member of staff could be the racing manager? JS stated that he would look into the possibilities and update all present at the next meeting. Jim stated that he is looking at reinstating the commentary due to new disability laws.
3. PRIZE MONEY. Jim stated that there is no change to the prize funds due to external bid for GRA.
4. RUNNING RAIL. This issue has still to be resolved. At the last meeting in November
JS stated that the rail had been sourced and would be erected by members of his own
Staff. The work would take place when the speedway season finished; this is now 2 months past and no work has taken place. It was also stated that that the track itself would also be cambered and completely serviced. The OOA feels that these particular problems needs to be resolved ASAP as a greyhound welfare issue. Since our December meeting JS has stated that he has no ETA on the running rail and would follow the issue through and report back at the next meeting in Jan 04. Carried forward to March meeting. Jim has informed the committee that work will take place on the running rail through out March.
Stuart has indicated that there may be an issue with the 3-4 bend as 3 dogs had suffered broken hocks on this bend. Would he investigate it and report back at Aprils meeting.

5. SPONSORSHIP FOR ONE RACE PER MONTH = OOA. SL requested if possible that OXFORD GRA could sponsor one race per month at possibly £100 for the owners who are members of the OOA. This could possibly be tied in with the monthly presentations for dogs that have won 3 races on the trot. This would also include a small trophy for the winner. JS stated that he would look into this and give an answer at the next meeting. If the GRA could not support this request then other sponsors could be approached from outside?
William Hills was approached and initially the response was good, but unfortunately they have now withdrawn sponsorship.A new sponsor has been found to enable the £100 race to go ahead. Jim Snowden to draw the race on the night.

6. HAREDRIVING SPEED/NEW HARES. The speed of the hare is still an on going issue. The hare that was used in the trial has now gone away for modifications. Reports at next meeting.

7. UPGRADING/DOWNGRADING. The OOA is concerned that that on some occasions some dogs have not been upgraded after a win or some may have been miss-placed after injury? It was suggested that all members monitor this issue and report back at the next meeting. JS would pass on the information to the racing office. Still ongoing, committee to monitor races.

8.OOA ADVERTS IN PROGRAMMES. This issue has now been resolved, our thanks go to Jim and his team for their assistance in resolving this problem.
9. GREYHOUND WELFARE ISSUES.MH stated that the washing machines would need to moved as they are currently situated outside and in the open. JS would look into this and report back at next meeting. Waiting for answers from Jim. = The machines have now been plumbed in and will be serviced by the end of March.

10. CURTAIN. There is some concern on who is responsible for the insurance for operating
The new curtain. JS will contact head office and inform the OOA at the next meeting.
Waiting for answers from Jim. = On going

11. 645&HURDLE.JS stated that there would be hurdle racing in the near future but unlikely
To have any 645 racing but he has not ruled it out completely.
To date the only trainer to show interest is Jason Foster, an update at the next meeting is required.

12. OOA FINANCIAL POSITION. JM informed the meeting that the OOA was in a healthy position with a £5700balance. £500 TO Ann Shanon for the retired greyhounds and £500 spent on trophies.

13. AOB. JA asked JS for some leads and collars from the RGT fund and stated that the OOA had already spent £500 on these items. Jim will report back at next meeting with answers.
JA asked Jim if the general housekeeping could be looked at in the paddock, his last visit there did not look clean or tidy.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING 8TH APRIL 2004 OXFORD GRA.

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