But enough from me – our programme of events is listed in this magazine and “Hearing Mates” we hope to see you there, enjoying them, supporting us and helping once more to raise those much needed funds. Many thanks. Barbara Pink Chair Spring 2012 Issue twenty Hello to all our volunteers, speakers, recipients and supporters of Hearing Dogs in South Hampshire. My name is Nicholas Orpin and I am the new Community Fundraising Manger for the South East (covering Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey, the Isle of Wight, Kent and South London). I feel very lucky to have you in my area and I aim to support Report from the Chair your efforts in raising the profile of the charity’s work and much Hello again, needed funds. It’s hard to believe that Hearing Dogs are celebrating their 30th Anniversary this Prior to joining the charity I spent over 20 years living and working in France year and here at the South Hants Branch we’re delighted to be part of these where I worked as a teacher and ran my own small language centre in Nantes. I celebrations and hope to contribute in no small way to some great fund raising! moved back to the UK in September 2010 with my wife and 2 teenage children. In the UK I initially worked for the Cued Speech Association, a charity which Our year started with the AGM in Botley, where Tug Wilson gave us a very promotes a visual form of spoken language for easy lip-reading. It is a simple interesting and very amusing talk on PAT dogs (Pets As Therapy) which we all technique which I learnt to use so I could communicate fully in spoken English enjoyed immensely. He brought along his latest recruit, Maddie, a collie who with both my children even though my daughter is profoundly deaf. had an awful start in life but thanks to Tug was now a brilliant PAT dog. Now I am very excited and proud to be part of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’s Amazing how dogs’ lives can be turned around just like people’s. aims and goals. It is a fantastic organisation and I hope I will be able to play my We were able to announce that this year has already started brilliantly with lots small part. The best part is supporting people like you who really make such a of events and collections in place for the coming 12 months. Just when we huge difference. I hope to meet as many of you as possible in the coming began to panic slightly that we wouldn’t be able to produce great results once months at your branch events. Thank you to everyone who made me and my more, we somehow managed to find another link enabling us to carry on. children so welcome at your fantastic ‘Paws for Tea’ event. So we started 2012 with the wonderful news that on the back of the Best wishes, Nicholas, Community Fundraising Manager South East Newfoundland Rescue held at Town Quay last year, the Associated British 07917 170122 / 01635 770884 [email protected] Ports Authority (ABP) has chosen us as their Charity of the Year, which is wonderful for us. Because they enjoyed the Newfie Rescue last year so much, South Hants Branch Hearing Dogs monthly Walks. they’re holding one of their own in September, just for us! So if anyone wants For Socialisers, Recipients or any individual who would like to another ‘dip’, please let us know – we can arrange it! They are also holding lots learn more about the charity before becoming involved. of events for us and are hoping to raise at least equal to last year’s amount of 2nd Tuesdays £35,000 so fingers crossed all round! Starting May 8th we will be meeting at the earlier time of 10am in front of the Tea Room at the Upper Hamble Country Park; still exit We are also delighted to welcome to Hearing Dogs, Nicholas Orpin who has J8 of M27 but the opposite way to Tesco and the big Windover Roundabout. just replaced Sue Pellow, and he will be working with us as our very important Puppies are welcome to visit the farm animals, as ordinary puppies are not ‘link’ to The Grange. It will be so good to have that link once more and after allowed there. The entrance is through the small gate between the big barn having met with him, I’m sure he will soon become a great friend and help to us entrance and the toilet block, but please leave before 10am before the school here in the South. children arrive. Its the ideal opportunity to walk your dogs & chat to other like- Saturday 14th April began very overcast with huge downfalls of rain, just what minded people, as well as keeping fit. we didn’t want for our Anniversary Paws for Tea at Titchfield, but the sun came We usually have a cuppa at the end of the walk too! If you would like to bring a out just in time for the afternoon and over 150 people turned up – just brilliant! puppy that you are socialising, please check with your Puppy Socialising trainer (More about this on page7). Our next ‘biggie’ is in July, our Barking Bonanza – BEFORE taking your HD puppy on this walk. There are strict rules regarding a dog show with lots of differences – plenty of displays from various people with puppies welfare on ALL outings. Queries or comments to me: Tel 01489 783118 or their dogs (including our own Hearing Dog Display Team) so lots to look forward 2 to on that day. Should be great fun for humans and dogs alike. [email protected] Jeanette TREASURER’S REPORT April 2012 SOUTH HANTS HEARING DOGS AND HAMBLE HOUNDS present £ April is already upon us and the Branch has already been 'BARKING BONANZA' - THIS IS NO ORDINARY DOG SHOW!! really active in fundraising in this 30th Anniversary year. Before reporting on this year income to date, and for those of SUNDAY 15th JULY 2012 11.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Manor Farm Country Park, Pylands Lane, Bursledon, SO311BH you who were not able to attend the recent A.G.M., a brief review of last year’s results. Arena displays by the Hearing Dog display team, Hamble Hounds and Solent Dog Agility team In 2011 we raised a total of £30,801.95p. Whilst this represents a significant drop Plus fun doggy activities, including doggy ‘paint by numbers’ from 2010, it was a tremendous effort given the current financial climate when all and snakes & ladders charities are struggling for donations and income. I would like to thank Maureen Heasman for raising £500 last year as our used stamp guru, and would urge you Family Barbeque sites available - so why not come along with your family and all to keep the stamps coming please? friends for a fun filled day out with your dogs? Please note that the Branch no longer collect milk bottle tops in line with most charities and Hearing Dogs Head office - last year they sadly raised only £30. We are extremely lucky to be partnered by Annette Bowcott of Hamble Hounds for our ‘Barking Bonanza’ as Annette ran an extremely popular ‘Canine Capers’ This year has started really well with our current balance at £5757.19p, with last year at Manor Farm and has most kindly offered to mastermind various another £1300 to be banked from last weekend’s very successful ‘Paws for Tea’ doggy activities during the course of the day for South Hants Hearing dogs. at Titchfield, so thanks to all who came along and raised that great sum. It is a real coup for us in the 30th Anniversary year, when they are much in demand, to have the main Hearing Dog display team from the Grange appearing Due to rising postal costs, it will no longer be possible to post out ‘Hearing So for those of you who have never seen a Hearing Dog work, do come and see Mates’ and this will be sent electronically in future - so please ensure your details what those amazing Hearing dogs and puppies can do to change lives. are up to date. We hope that the number of donations from all the various events at Associated We also have Hamble Hounds and Solent Dog Agility team, who also appear at British Ports Southampton will increase over the coming months as their fund major events across the region so it promises to be a wonderful day out. raising activities really get going. There are also lots of other dog related activities and stalls to keep you busy all So once again many, many thanks to all for your continuing support. day including ‘Pets as Therapy’, Golden Retriever Rescue and many others too Tim Seward numerous to list here. For more info on Barking Bonanza - contact Chris 01329 668516 or Barbs 01962 Thanks to all donors who have given large and small 760395 If you can help out on the day we would be delighted to hear from you - or if you can distribute posters too please?? amounts to the South Hampshire Branch since the last edition of Hearing Mates magazine. Sharon and Ben Invite you to their PAWS FOR COFFEE ON THE Donors include not only visitors to coffee mornings etc. but also BEACH! from the branch members themselves, many of whom keep PAWS FOR TEA collecting tins for visitors at their homes, in addition to all they do 2.00 – 5.00 p.m.