minutes

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4TH MAY 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
. RGT Representative, Mel Hancox

1. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES. Approved by Jenny Hebborn & John Moss.
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2. PRIZE MONEY. Jim stated that there is no change to the prize funds due to external bid for GRA. However there will be a meeting on 7th April 04 but the outcome is still uncertain. Jim said the trainers will receive a one off payment from the BGRF, this will amount to approx £9k between 12 trainers. The payment will take place late April. Belle VUE are taking a different approach to the distribution of there funds but all other GRA tracks will take the same process as Oxford. The trainers have now received a payment. (04/05/04) The money distributed to the trainers is for the whole of 2004

3. RUNNING RAIL. The rail has now been completed, the OOA would like to thank Jim and his staff for the resolution of this issue.

4. 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. Results still not available, but Bob Rowe is certain that trials are still ongoing and will give the results as soon as they have completed the trials.The above issue is still ongoing but we are hopeful for results at the June meeting.

5. UPGRADING/DOWNGRADING. The grading issue is still ongoing. SL stated that he thought the track had lost its camber on the bends and suggested that this could be an issue as most dogs are injured on bends 2/4 due to the pressure on the hocks. This was backed up with various dogs who had been badly injured on the track? JS stated that he would indeed look into this serious problem and report back at the next meeting. Handed to JS is a list of dogs that have won a grade and not moved up or have been moved up with out winning, also a list of down graded dogs after one run etc. A 7 page document with various miss grading reasons including the ones already mentioned was giving to Jim from the OOA

6. GREYHOUND WELFARE ISSUES. The problem of the oxygen bottle will be resolved by the next meeting. GRA are to hold a general managers meeting where on the agenda is welfare issues and is hoped for a complete resolution by Junes meeting.

7. 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
It now seems that on rare occasions it is getting used, it has been suggested that all owners
approach they're relevant kennels and asked for the curtain to be used. = Monitor. Ongoing

8. 645&HURDLE RACING. It is unlikely to go ahead unless we have at least 18 dogs
Available for racing in both events. It is hoped for the future that these races are put back on
the race card in the future.

9. OOA FINANCIAL POSITION. JA informed the meeting that the OOA was in a healthy
Position with a £5200 balance. The sponsorship money has to date not been received.

RACE 12 WILL BE THE £100 OOA SPONSORED RACE DRAWN BY JIM SNOWDEN

AOB. The chairman informed the meeting of the AGM which will be held at Oxford on
The 20th June at 18:00.

JS asked MH on how the re-homing was going, she replied that currently we are re-homing
On average 8 dogs every month. But also stated that the trainers need to follow up any leads
They may have ASAP because if its not done they could possible lose the potential home.

JS also informed the meeting that he had received £2000 from the midland branch (RGT)
Which now leaves the local RGT in a very healthy position.

JS informed the meeting that he was approached by a member of the OOA and was asked
What do the committee do? He informed them of various things and also advised them to
Read the OOA board and if possible the web site where all information is available.
The member suggested that maybe a quarterly news letter might be an idea to keep every
One updated. This will be looked into and reported back at next meeting.

JA stated that on rainy days the track seems to be biased to 5/6 traps. JS informed the meeting
That unfortunately this is the case on most tracks as the rain washes away to the inside leaving
The outside more favourable due to the cambers.

To all OOA members please be aware that the subscriptions are due 1st June.
The trophy races held on the first Tuesday of every month, including the £100 sponsorship,
Is for paid up members only.

NOTE: THE COMMITTEE IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS. IF YOU
ARE INTERESTED PLEASE SEE THE OOA BOARD FOR INFORMATION

DATE OF NEXT MEETING 1st JUNE 2004 OXFORD GRA.

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