EAWN in France
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24TH INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF NEWFOUNDLAND FRIENDS - 2006
International meetings of Newfoundland friends are held annually and hosted by France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
Members of East Anglian Working Newfoundlands have attended meetings in France in 1994, 1998 and 2002, having the honour of using dogs from Terre-Neuve Sportif for their displays.
However, last year eleven members and eleven dogs accepted the invitation to attend the 2006 meeting and preparations to obtain passports for the dogs stated in October 2005. Although time consuming it was relatively easy, as was the journey on the Shuttle, and in the last week of May owners and dogs made the journey to Torcy.
The International is NOT a competition. It is a meeting of Working Groups from lots of different Countries and all Groups are given the opportunity to show their dogs working on land and in the water.
2006 International slideshow
On arrival at the event, and of course the first time for a Club from the UK, all dogs and passports were checked by a Vet. An impressive opening ceremony followed, quite an emotional moment for EAWN when the President and Maverick followed the Union Jack into the arena whilst the National Anthem was playing. We were pleased to lend Bronwyn to Viv Pound who was able to represent the Northern Newfoundland Club. This time when Micheline Nouvion, President of TNS opened the event the European flag was unfurled, as was a very large statue of the International Trophy and what we had thought were large rockets standing ready to be set off actually turned out to be brightly coloured streamers.
The rest of the day was given over to the land displays. Each Group was given a time slot and we watched varying displays, some with carts, some 2/3 dogs and some between 20 and 30 dogs. EAWN put on a very well received display, there is no doubt the colourful red and blue outfits go very well with the black dogs!
On Sunday it was an opportunity to show off the dogs in the water and each Group was again allocated time slots and EAWN had quiet of long wait. Once again, the dogs worked very well and received much applause from the spectators.
A Gala evening was held on the Sunday, an opportunity to enjoy some marvellous French food, to celebrate the event with a magnificent Newfie cake, make speeches and present gifts and to watch the latest Video produced by TNS, Sam 2, yet another tear jerker!
On Monday morning a closing ceremony was held - when the Trophy was passed over to the Group from Germany who hosted the 2007 event. Prior to this a land display consisting of some 200 Newfoundland Dogs took place. Under the guidance of Alain Nouvion, six lines of people and dogs were led into the arena by members of TNS and a succession of manoeuvres took place. It had to be seen to be believed and not one cross word between people or dogs.
Back home, how can one sum up such a weekend! The organisation of the event - brilliant. The atmosphere - electric, all held in such an aura of friendship. A host of memories to hold and to talk about. An event not to be missed.
The Newfoundland International is held annually but every fourth year it is hosted by TNS in France, members of EAWN have attended the 1994, 1998, 2002 & 2006 International meetings held in France.
