1st Ferreters Day
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As I am sure you are all aware one of the remits of The National Ferreters Register is to bring new blood into our sport. Saturday 25th November 2006, our first ever day, proved that the "Ferreters Days" are a fun packed day and fulfil this remit perfectly.

What happened on the day?

Fifteen out of the expected twenty students turned up, we had anticipated some would not attend "things happen" and fifteen was the number we wanted "A Perfect start". As the hall filled with students, lecturers and first aiders, the forecasted bad weather looked like it was not coming, no rain and reasonably light winds considering we were expecting 30 mile an hour ones.
The students and lecturers had come from all over, Wales, Cardiff, Birmingham and Somerset to name but a few, so the free tea, coffee and soup was more than welcome. Richard Halsall started the day with a brief lecture, no more than five minutes splitting the students in to three groups A, B and C, laying down a few rules for the day. Then Bruce Marks gave a comical yet informative speech concerning health and safety during the Day.

Then "GAME ON "

Purse Netting / Long Netting (following group A) 10am - 11.45am - Bruce, Ivan and Jason looked after this activity showing how to lay purse nets and set up long nets. For 1 3/4 hours a basic understanding was given to these students enabling them to continue and learn more from their own adventures.

The heavens opened around about 10.30am, luckily most of the rain was brief heavy showers..

Ferrets's Falconry (following group A) 11.45am - 1.30pm Hot soup was a welcome drink between the two activities, the rain kept on coming but Julian, Nathan and Grant gave an excellent demonstration and despite the rain the birds performed  perfectly with some long flights and catches.

Lunch Time 1.30pm -2.15pm Louise, Lynda, Grace and Richard cooked a truly welcome and yummy lunch (burgers, sausages, salad and soup) Teams A, B and C had a chance to discuss their day so far and Amber (Harris Hawk) had a chance to dry. Amber (the lurcher) had a snooze.

Running Dogs (following team A) 2.15pm - 3.45pm Shane and Amber worked as an incredible team, amazing us all showing perfect union and teamwork between man and dog. Shane demonstrated the use of a Lurcher and also a Lurcher and purse nets.

The Day Was Over

Certificates and thank you letters were handed out.

 A Note from the organiser - What a great day, the morning was wet and truly awful but no-one cared. We did what we had aimed to do, have fun, teach and make new friends.