NHC Membership...

[Jill Bayles]

Had a look at the application form and am rather befuddled about how to join...can me Aidan and Ryan join as a family or do we have to join separately and how much will it all cost?

The boys are hoping to enter both hamsters in the June Show so we need to join up first...then I'll be wanting advice upon the right classes

Crikey we've all caught the hamster bug...well and truly...I'm feeling left out as I'm the only hamsterless one out of the three...but I'll resist a further addition for as long as I can although I do hear that Ryan's family now want to instal the newbie in their home on a part-time basis...not til I'm satisfied that they can look after him properly and have him well out of reach of Tyon the Boxer though :P

Right well I'll wait for clarification peeps

[Holly]

Aha! So you've got the bug as well then?

Well, firstly, you don't have to join to show in the main classes (you can't take trophies home should you win them if you don't join) but I think it's well worth the joining fee for the monthly journal and show info that you receive through the post.

I joined myself and Will as a family and paid the 25p extra for a second membership card. I can't remember exatly what I paid but I joined at Lymm - and it's slightly cheaper to join actually at a show.

I'm not sure if your nephew would count in the "family membership" - you would have to ask Sue about that I think. I haven't joined my nephew or Will's friend - if they continue to be interested I might join them later.

HTH

[souffle]

I think the cost is £8.50 per year Jill. You and Aiden can join as a family. Just put both names and bracket junior after Aidens. Remember you can only enter your own hamster so if the little black is your nephews he will have to join himself I think but check with Sue. I suspect you have to reside in the same house to count as family for membership purposes. Once entered under one persons name the ham cannot then be swapped to another name so be careful. There is no reason why hammy could not go in the main show. His brothers and sisters do well enough however it would mean he could not go in the pet class and racing. Once benched they cannot be removed for pets or racing so you need to clarify this with the boys before entering main show. They will not be able to handle/look at or go near the hammies in the pens when they are on the table at main show or let the judge see them pointing or talking to them as this would make it possible the judge would know who hammy was whos. To enter main show you also must arrive early enough to bench the hammies before the start of judging which could mean an early start sometimes. Do join though as the journal is good and it means you are supporting the club too.

[Holly]

Originally Posted by souffle

There is no reason why hammy could not go in the main show. His brothers and sisters do well enough however it would mean he could not go in the pet class and racing. Once benched they cannot be removed for pets or racing so you need to clarify this with the boys before entering main show. They will not be able to handle/look at or go near the hammies in the pens when they are on the table at main show or let the judge see them pointing or talking to them as this would make it possible the judge would know who hammy was whos.

This is exactly why "my" boys didn't want to enter the main show - they enjoyed the racing and getting their own hams out for the pets class at Lymm so much they didn't want to not do it at this show. However your boys might feel differently.

If they don't you will just have to get a hamster of your own, Jill :P

[Jill Bayles]

I'll speak to the boys and see what they want to do. I think they'd still like a crack at the serious showing, even if only once and even if they have to miss out on the pet class and racing.

Or there again maybe not...oh well we shall see.

We'll be joining the NHC anyway.

Aidan only wants to show Hammy cos Ryan wants to show the newbie but they may not like the red tape...well we all know how fickle kids can be.

The long-term solution is obviously my own hammy...well after all I'm the only one out of the three of us that presently remains hamsterless...let's get Sooty all grown up and then we shall see. I fancy a grey or chocolate male...any ideas re breeder and showing those colours appreciated