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Post by Jon Phillips on Dec 8, 2006 21:55:23 GMT
Dear All, this is something of a first for me.
The importance of free speech and an open forum that allows any person - member of the board or member of the riding club an equal platform is basic to my beliefs. I would, therefore, like to share with you the full statement that I felt obliged to release after the last Ponies UK Board meeting. I know just how vulnerable I am by intruding on your message board. None the less, I would like you to hear my side first.
"Having been re-elected at the recent AGM I have decided to resign my position as a Director of Ponies Association (UK). I feel that I can no longer represent the best interests of the members, judges and countless stewards and helpers who give their time so freely and generously to the Association.
Whilst I sincerely wish the Association the very best for the future, it is the safekeeping, longevity and ideals of that future for which I have been battling.
I was bitterly opposed to the rise in membership costs and have done my best to try and rectify management problems that I personally believe have gotten out of control. It is my opinion that unless some very severe measures are taken to facilitate a true members association with transparent board and executive reporting and actioning systems, then the future for which I and a few others fought so hard to establish is in danger.
In the end I’ve done all I can do, I’ve taken the Ponies to the water, what they do now is up to them."
Jon Phillips
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Post by Nessa on Dec 8, 2006 22:17:36 GMT
Nooooooo Jon you cant, You were the only one representing us the members. i have not renewed my membership and as a long time supporter and sponsor i feel that you resigning has taken away my one true spokesman. Much luck to you and your sons. your eldest renewed my faith in horsemanship the first year at newark and I wish you much success.
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Post by leo on Dec 8, 2006 22:34:42 GMT
Thank you for posting that jon, i think the majority will agree that puk has lost in you its biggest asset.
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Post by anna on Dec 8, 2006 23:08:41 GMT
Thank you for posting that jon, i think the majority will agree that puk has lost in you its biggest asset. DITTO
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Post by Guestless on Dec 8, 2006 23:24:50 GMT
I fully appreciate you feeling it necessary to make a stand and resign, but I think we members will miss the fact that we had a comrade on the board. Maybe it will give the rest of the Board something to think about, but who knows
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Post by sallyw on Dec 9, 2006 8:20:34 GMT
I can see why Jon Phillips has resigned but I think that Ponies UK must have a quick re-think and beg him to stay. Every one of these organisation needs a voice of reason and I believe that he is/was practically the only one at PUK. Lots of people including myself do not bother with PUK finding the fees too high and the cost of going to the finals enough to need a second mortgage. Will all these organisations price home producers out of the market with PUK going first?
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Post by sad on Dec 9, 2006 8:54:24 GMT
Well i see it as another nail in the coffin for PUK. Jon - you are / were a great voice for us, i think you have done very well to stick it as long as you did - i get frustrated when my emails dont get replied to!! I too have not renewed my membership this year - its a shame because the children love the champs but i feel i too have to make a stand and if enough people do perhaps they would listen. I get annlyed when talking to friends who say 'we are not renewing' and then when you next see them they say 'well i have - but for the children.'
My sensible head has just re-applied itself - if they wouldnt listen to Jon then they sure wont listen to us who dont want to renew. Davina really must be one to herself, she has let a very very valuable person go. I think she should be nick named the Iron Lady - we all know what happened to her in the end.
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Post by seenitallbefore on Dec 9, 2006 9:17:58 GMT
It was obvious when a certain person was elected to the board that they were shoring up the defenses on behalf of she who must be obeyed.
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Post by frozzy on Dec 9, 2006 9:49:25 GMT
Speaking as a former member of PUK who lost heart some two years ago after several things happened that stuck in my craw I was hopeful that things might change for the better. Sadly this is obviously not the case. We always enjoyed our holidays and yes we gave very generously to sponsorship via our producer. These days we have no producer and limited funds but were perhaps hopeful of rejoining if things shaped up in favour of the members instead of lining pockets. Looks like Tenerife will get my money again this year!!! Sorry Jon its sad to hear you too have lost heart. How many others will it take to lose before something dawns that membership is on a fast decline.
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Post by In the dark on Dec 9, 2006 12:04:46 GMT
Having not been a member of Puk for years, could someone tell me what is happening that is so dreadful?? I tend to stay out of politics but how can you obviously be so passionate about something and yet it can't be changed??
We came out of Ponies Uk after it became expensive and there were so many classes at the Champs it was ridiculous. To have the Winter Champs so far at one end of the Country seems to make it unaccessable for many (including myself) so it seemed pointless to be a member! But I am sure you are talking about many other issues that I am oblivious to.
Can someone fill me in?? I don't like being in the dark!
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Post by Dee Jay on Dec 9, 2006 14:50:33 GMT
Having been a member of Ponies of Britain and then Ponies UK when it was taken over and re-named by DW, I can say that I could forsee problems developing five years ago.
After a run-in with "that woman" I withdrew sponsorship, did not renew membership and have not missed Puk at all. My sponsorship has now gone to NPS or local WPC Assosiation shows. NPS are so much more appreciative of sponsors and the children love the champs. We also do BSPS who are doing more and more for the M&M's.
Well done Jon, it is their loss. RIP Puk
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not quite over the hill
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Post by not quite over the hill on Dec 9, 2006 17:25:04 GMT
I was a member of Ponies of Britain for very many years, but my attendance at PUK shows did not instill confidence, as it became more like what my parents would have described as a holiday camp for ???and I have not competed at PUK shows for a long time. Perhaps we need to bring back the original ethos inspired by Glenda Spooner, yes there were dinners and accommodation for the committee and judges but it was transparent, and everyone worked and played very hard to gain there grub.
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Post by No more Puk on Dec 9, 2006 18:16:29 GMT
For me the new membership price (£50) plus the cost to register your horses is beyond stupid!!! and totally unjustified.
There is no way I am joining Puk next year, I will concentrate on Puk and BSPS..
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shelly
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by shelly on Dec 9, 2006 19:27:45 GMT
NO more puk for us after the last fiasco and horrible venue We as a family have had such a great time at the NPS it is such a beautiful venue and lovely atmosphere what more could we ask for a horsey holiday!!!
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yes
Full Member
Posts: 312
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Post by yes on Dec 9, 2006 19:35:26 GMT
PUK went to the dogs several years ago no fun, just someones greed not for the average person anymore, your are a too good a man to stay in a money grabing society like puk.
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Post by Sammie on Dec 9, 2006 19:49:51 GMT
Well i support PUK i have renewed my membership and will continue to attend all Puk shows.
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Post by In the dark on Dec 10, 2006 1:29:26 GMT
Can I maybe suggest then that we spell out exactly what we do want. In the vain hope that maybe some at Puk reads this?? Might not make any difference but at least I can say we tried.
I would agree with many that I love the NPS Champs and also the BSPS Champs. The Welsh National Champs is also a very nice show and we only found that last year! To me what makes these nice is that the committee have been very flexible to accomodate my family's needs. At the end of the day, this is our hobby and I don't want to feel like something somebody has trodden in if I call up for some help!
My request- could the venue for the Winter Champs please be closer! Would probably join then as I love the evening performance! Don't expect it to be on my doorstep but somewhere vaguely in the middle of the country would be a bonus!
Ok- someone elses turn. Can we please be constructive with ideas that can be put into action. Not saying they will be but at least when Puk membership drops dramatically, they can't say nobody said anything! It's up to them to listen!
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Post by No Hope on Dec 10, 2006 9:28:19 GMT
Dear in the dark, Pleae dont read this as being critism - its how it is. People have been talking about what they want from PUK on this site for ages now and no-one has listened. there was a thread not so long ago about the price increases - many people said they now found it to be too expensive - no-one listened - the price increase remained. People started a thread about where do they prefer the champs - 90% of people prefer Peterborough, now we know a three year contract was signed for Newark but there hasnt been any noises made about where it will go next. If they wanted to listen, they would keep their members informed and be saying ' hey members we have LISTENED, we are looking at sites for 2008 onwards which YOU would prefer. What do we get - sarcastic letters from Davina, telling us all is well with the site. People like yourself suggested we emailed PUK with suggestions, requests, pointers in the right direction etc way back in October - i dont know how many people got a reply from these letters but i certainly didnt, so whats the conclusion - no-one listened. I do see where you are coming from but as Jon says you can only do so much.
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Post by In the dark on Dec 10, 2006 12:05:03 GMT
No criticism taken. Haven't being keeping up with this argument as not a member anymore!
The only thing I would then say if for God's sake everyone stop joining Puk. If they have no members then they will have to change or they won't exist. I for one haven't been a member since they started increasing the ridiculous number of classes at the Champs and we are not a fan of Davina's. Plus, we don't like Newark either (it's like permanently being in a wind tunnel!) and Towerlands is miles away!
If everyone moved their attentions to NPS or BSPS they can build on what they are doing with the extra funding. BSPS have listened and moved the Winter Champs to Arena UK, which to me seems sensible hearing about the excellent facilities going up there. They are always very helpful when you ring and after making a stupid rule re the practice fence- they soon admitted defeat and changed it! PLus- the uproar at the Winter Champs re the HOYS winner still able to do the Novice class- the rule changed. I am sure there are negative examples too but you have to say they have listened and acted quickly.
If everyone keeps moaning but still keeps their membership with Puk then they are saying it's ok. Maybe it's time we launched Puk 2 and ran it ourselves! In this day and age, there is no place for as association that thinks it is bigger than the people they should be serving!
Ooh- I'm getting quite passionate about this!
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jon phillips supporter
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Post by jon phillips supporter on Dec 10, 2006 12:54:43 GMT
Jon phillips should set up his own showing society with Betsy organising shows. I'm sure they would get board members/directors who would support the members needs & ideas . PUK have really shot themselves in the foot now. It must be the beginning of the end. I've supported them for years but not any more & I was at the AGM & witnessed what John Phillips said & DW's reply. Come on Jon. You've got loads of support here.
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dont panic just yet
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Post by dont panic just yet on Dec 10, 2006 16:26:54 GMT
Well I totally agree with everyone here, losing Jon from PUK is going to be a major blow, BUT
having heard who has got the CEO post (and no I cant reveal it!) I dont think we need panic just yet. Certainly someone who wont be afraid of Davina and with LOADS of experience running BIG stuff but also VERY good at encouraging the grass roots competitor so Fingers crossed they will mean good things for PUK in the coming years.
I agree about price hikes etc all being bad for the scoiety but in this period of change surely we need to give them a chance and hope that it turns out for the best rather than giving up on it all together before the new regieme has even had a go?
On another subject I had also heard that Davina is very ill so maybe we ought to be sending her good wishes rather than nasty vibes, no matter what she has been up to with 'our' society.......
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Post by Hopeful on Dec 10, 2006 17:09:22 GMT
I also know who has taken that job and am sure PUK is on its way back up!
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hang on there please
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Post by hang on there please on Dec 10, 2006 18:59:13 GMT
I have also today heard the new team for the PUK office and I am now far more confident that things can only get better.
Best of luck to them all, they have an incredibly hard job BUT it can be done and I feel assured they WILL ! - on this basis I am going to renew my membership!
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Post by peed off on Dec 10, 2006 19:07:47 GMT
im fed up of people coming on here saying they know this and they know that about the goings on at PUK but not quite saying the full details because 'you are not allowed to say'. i, stupidly, have just paid my memberships and yet I KNOW NOTHING. why dont they put an announcement on the website or something, rather than leaking bits of info to people obviously far more important than myself. typical case of its not what you know, its who you know.
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Post by peed off aswell on Dec 10, 2006 19:21:39 GMT
I'm also fed up of the" chosen few "knowing all these so called private bits of PUK info.Are there only certain people who know who the new team & boss are? I have paid my membership this year but am wishing I hadn't bothered as it seems PUK is up to its old tricks of only telling certain people important facts & leaving out all the grass-roots members to find out months later.Seems to me that nothing's changed so why don't PUK tell us all very soon the facts & stop keeping the majority of us in the dark!!!
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Post by Hold your horses on Dec 10, 2006 21:11:06 GMT
Hang on a minute! I only know because I know the person who has got the job. They obviously cant say until the details have been sorted and then I am sure PUK will announce everything. I certainly wouldnt say I am in any 'circle' FAR from it!!
I just wanted to post to say that things are looking brighter for the future, give PUK a chance and HANG ON IN THERE, there is a massive glimpse of hope in the distance!!
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Post by zebedee on Dec 10, 2006 21:13:32 GMT
Real or a blonde joke?
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Post by makes me mad on Dec 10, 2006 21:29:35 GMT
It piddles me off also. if you know something either tell us all or just keep it to yourself completely instead of all this 'i know but i cant tell you' business, its pathetic and playgroundish. i think puke have got a longway to go before they have anywhere near redeemed themselves.
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Post by DARTY LOVER on Dec 10, 2006 22:42:54 GMT
It piddles me off also. if you know something either tell us all or just keep it to yourself completely instead of all this 'i know but i cant tell you' business, its pathetic and playgroundish. i think puke have got a longway to go before they have anywhere near redeemed themselves. IS THIS ' NEW ' PERSON A DARTY LOVER, I THOUGHT THIS PERSON WAS JOKING WITH ME, NOW I THINK IT MIGHT BE REAL, GOD HELP US IF IT IS, THEY CANT HOLD A P...UP IN A BREWERY...... PLEASE CONFIRM........PUK MEMBER...
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Post by Jo Jenkins on Dec 11, 2006 9:00:55 GMT
It seems nothing is likely to change here. This 'new team' are already as bad as the other just by being indiscreet. They should not have told ANYONE 'until the details are sorted out'. HOW MANY people had posted messages saying 'i know but cant tell' It stinks, still them and us. If they are used to this 'big stuff' what is their motive for moving downwards. I can feel meglamania creeping in (eg more of the same old , same old). that or £ notes which wouldn't encourage me to rejoin. gloomy outlook
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