The BHRC office will be close for the holidays from 5pm Friday 20th December and will re-open on Monday 6th January.

With regard to the recent request for an EGM to allow members to vote on Brett Lloyd as a possible chairperson for the BHRC the Directors would like to make the following statement: The Constitution of the BHRC was written and accepted by Companies house in 1987, and has been changed only once, in 2021, to facilitate the one person one vote issue. The history of this document can be checked on the Companies House website so any suggestions that it has been doctored in order to void a vote are completely without foundation. Following the receipt of signatures in favour of an EGM, Hayley in the office did what has been done for previous applicants for roles as Directors and sent out a declaration form to Mr Lloyd, as well as doing our own checks on various government sites. All applicants are asked whether they have either been declared bankrupt, made insolvent or liquidated. Mr Lloyd stated that he did not. On checking, it appears that Mr Lloyd has a current individual voluntary agreement, which was put in place this summer so is still current. Our constitution , section 34A rules out a Director as follows: If they are currently bankrupt, or if they "make any arrangement or composition with his creditors generally" This is what a voluntary agreement is and would therefore mean, if Mr Lloyd were currently a Director, that he would have to stand down immediately. If the debt was paid off immediately the agreement is current for up to another 3 months. We have consulted our solicitor to confirm our interpretation. An EGM was requested to vote on the single agenda item - his application for the post of Chairman. As Mr Lloyd is not eligible for the position, for reasons already outlined above there will be no EGM on this matter. Should members have further queries they can email them in to the office. BHRC Directors

We have recently received an application for the vacant chairman's post. Whilst carrying out standard due diligence checks on the candidate we have found that they are ineligible under section 34A of the BHRC constitution.

The BHRC Handicap Panel has carried out their annual review of the handicap system. Following feedback from various licence holders and non licence holders the following updates have been made and ratified by directors:

The BHRC office will be closed for calls on Thursday 12th December.

Clubs, Associations and licence holders are invited to nominate individuals that they feel have a special contribution to the sport of harness racing in 2024. If you know someone who went above and beyond then please send their name and a short paragraph detailing why you are nominating them to bhrc.awards@yahoo.com before the nomination closing date of Friday 13th December 2024 at 5pm. Nominations will then be considered by the BHRC Directors and the recipient(s) will be celebrated at the BHRC & STAGBI Awards Ceremony on Saturday 1st February 2025 at the Mercure Hotel, Haydock.

If there is a groom/caretaker that you would like to nominate for this year’s award, please submit their name and the reason(s) why you feel they should win the award to bhrc.awards@yahoo.com This award is open to any BHRC licence holder acting in the capacity as a caretaker, to be nominated by a licensed trainer. Nomination closing date is Friday 13th December 2024 at 5pm. The winner(s) will be announced at the BHRC & STAGBI Awards Ceremony on Saturday 1st February 2025 at the Mercure Hotel, Haydock.

The BHRC were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Les Jones. Les was heavily involved in harness racing over the years and a keen supporter of son Marc. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.  Anyone who would like to attend the funeral is welcome - to help the family plan for numbers can anyone wishing to attend please contact them.

The BHRC office is closed on Friday 22nd November for staff holidays.

We are pleased to announce the final results of the Aged Geldings & Stallions Series for 2024. A massive thank you once again to STAGBI for sponsoring this great series and congratulations to everyone who finished in the top 10 this year.

Please note we are currently working under the original (with minor changes in 2021) Constitution. We have been advised that we refer to Articles 35 - 40 of the Constitution combined with Article 6 in order to hold elections. We will therefore be taking nominations for Chair, Vice Chair and Directors at the AGM in April. Having been asked by licence holders to consider Article 28 in order to hold an election for Chair outside of our usual parameters we have further been advised that this section is not relevant in this context.

Sadly passed away, at his home at North Hall Farm, in Pollington, with his family by his side, aged 77 years. Dearly loved husband of Pat. Treasured father to Catherine and Michael. Forever loved and missed by all his family and friends. Funeral service at St John the Baptist Church, Pollington on Wednesday 20th November, 12.15pm, followed by a committal at Pontefract Crematorium. John will take a ride around the village by horse and carriage ending at the church at 12.15pm. Those that would like to see him on his final journey, he will be starting from North Hall Farm at approximately 11.45am, travelling around the village, down Main Street, past the Camp, back down Long Lane and on to Church. After the church service he will be going by car to Pontefract Crematorium, where there will be a small service to say final goodbyes. Anyone that cannot come to the crematorium are welcome to go directly to The King’s Head, Pollington where the committal will be live streamed, before everyone returns, to exchange stories of John and his life. Family flowers only please. Donations, in lieu, if required for Cancer Research UK and The Injured Jockey Fund.