H&C

30
Mar
2010

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Competition, school holidays and paperwork

Robbie and Nigel with David Symons FWCF

"I spoke too soon on my last blog and the good weather has been pushed aside by wet, muddy conditions already! Fingers crossed this bout doesn’t last too long and we get some spring sunshine soon.

On Saturday we were all competing at the re-scheduled Hereford Master & Apprentice Competition at Holme Lacey, Hereford. Always a popular competition and a great learning opportunity for apprentices to compete with their ATFs this event incites a real competitive streak amongst many ATFs! It is also nice to see so many family and friends watching too.

Robbie (currently in his first year) and I took part in the first and seond year Shoemaking Class and finished in fourth position out of 34 teams. Harry (currently in his third year) and I took part in the third and fourth year Shoeing Class and finished in third position out of 20. We were very pleased with both results and whatismore both Robbie and Harry will be eligible to compete in the same groups at the next competition as second and fourth years with another year’s experience under their belts! Robbie is now at college for three weeks which leaves Harry and I one man down....

We had one van break down last week which caused some problems and an impromptu diary re-shuffle! We had a couple of late nights and thankfully the van is now back with us with a clean bill of health and we have caught up once more – little things sent to try us but thanks to our customers for being understanding and working with us!

Easter weekend looming and a double bank holiday! However we will be working at the raceyard on Friday and Monday and on duty at the Monmouthshire Point to Point on the Saturday. We shoe for the Hunt and many of its followers so this is always a great opportunity to catch up with customers who we often don’t see during the working week.

With any school holiday there is a flurry of last minute phone calls regarding horses and ponies needing trims and/or shoes before the children want to ride – please do plan ahead wherever possible, we simply can’t fit you all in the week before schools break-up and especially not without any notice! Do try and book in early with your farrier to give as much warning as possible and plan their weeks ahead.

Next week we have a Health & Safety inspection which is required by law when you have apprentices. The forge along with the vans will be inspected to ensure all is up to scratch. We operate a safe working environment and certainly don’t envisage any problems. We will be collating paperwork together this week though and checking the contents of the First Aid boxes – essentially untouched from the last visit although many items have now been replaced as they have passed their ‘expiry’ date. Always seems such a waste to throw away bandages and others items that have not been used and are still in their original sealed packaging.

End of the accounting year means further paperwork (for Claire!) so lots of admin tasks on the ‘to do’ list this month, one of the many joys of being self-employed and an employer!"