1990 to 1992 | 1996 to 1998 | 1999 to 2001

Fraser Valley
Llama and
Alpaca Club

History of the club . . .

1993 to 1995

By Jane Pinkerton

1993

At the annual dinner meeting held on January 30th, the following members were elected to the Executive for a two year term:

President Anne MacDonald
Vice-President Judi Smith
Secretary Darrel Smith
Treasurer Mike Loynes

The dinner was followed by slides and a talk by Brian Pinkerton on his trip to to study guancos in Patagonia with Bill Franklin of lowa University.

It was a beautiful sunny day for the First of July parade in Mount Lehman. Anne MacDonald showed off her driving skills for the first time in public.

The spring meeting was held at Long Buckby Farm when Kiwi Bishop demonstrated shearing and toe nail clipping and Dr. Ralph Estensen talked on the health issues relating to shearing.

Practicing for the show season at Cashman Creek Llamas.
Bob Hilton is showing members what is expected of them in the show ring.

Our first summer Fun Day was held at Cashman Creek Llamas in July with Bob Hilton giving a talk on showing and obstacles were set up for members to practice for the upcoming Agrifair. This was followed by a pot luck dinner and was truly a fun occasion.

Walks to Deas lsland Park and others areas, in addition to our second llama walk in White Rock, parades, Sheep and Wool Fair, Agrifair and the PNE made for another great year.

As a result of a meeting when Pat Hilton and Kathy Wilson met with Pat Tonn of the 4H, llamas joined the Otter 4H lamb Club. Next year the llamas will have a club of their own.

The following members joined us in 1993:

Jo-Anne and Ted Banner
Pam and Neil Caine
Helena de Boer
Bruce and Tannys Farrell
Anna and Al Helewka
Alice and Jack Hodge
Linda and Brent Kennett
Patsi and Ken Metherel
Chris and Bill Strutinski
Krys Van Arem

1994

At our annual meeting on January 29th, after a Chinese Smorgasbord, the following executive was elected:

President Vern Lillies
Vice-President Pam Caine
Secretary Chris Strutinski
Treasurer Alice Hodge

At this meeting the club name was changed from the Fraser Valley Llama Club to the Fraser Valley Llama and Alpaca Club.

The 4H Otter Llama Club started up their own llama club under the leadership of Kathy Wilson and had their first show at the PNE. Last year they participated under the 4H Otter Lamb Club.

A spinning group started up and met twice monthly and a spinning clinic was held at Pat Hilton’s.

A Birthing and Neonate Care talk was given at our April meeting by Dr. Ralph Estensen.

Bob Hilton resigned from the Agrifair Committee and was replaced by Trev Lewis.

Members attended the Sheep and Wool Fair, Agrifair and the PNE at which alpacas were invited to attend. Members went on hikes to Matsqui trail, Golden Ears and White Rock and once again the Fun Day was held at Cashman Creek Llamas. Parades included Bradner (sunny) and Canada Day at Mount Lehman wet, wet, wet.

Rose-Ann and Trev Lewis, along with Pat Hilton got a little damp in this parade.

This llama looking out window of Lavell’s van on the right is waiting to go in the llama walk in White Rock. At least the weather was nicer than it was on July first.

Members who joined in 1994 include:

Barbara and Jeffrey Gerber
Donna and Monty MacDonald
Wanda and Andy Shaw
Ruth and Bert Smith
Marg and John Sugden
Gerry Van De Wint
Marnie Vollans
Terri and Wayne Wiebe
Ed and Hazel Wilson

1995

Our annual meeting was held at the Best Western in Aldergrove on January 21st when the following executive was elected:

President Vern Lillies
Vice-President Pam Caine
Recording Secretary Anna Helewka
Public Relations Secretary Rebecca Lavell
Treasurer Alice Hodge

Our first fund raising auction was held after dinner and the meeting with Ken Metherel as auctioneer and colour man Mike Loynes.

In April a spinning workshop was held at Pat Hilton’s and a seminar on management and care of fibre by Pat Hilton and Jane Pinkerton. We also had a grading workshop after everyone had received their first processed fibre from Miocene.

The new spinners in the photo are Marnie Vollans, Anna Helewka, Pam Caine, Linda Kennett and Cathy Purney.

Members attended the Sheep and Wool Fair, the Great Canadian Pet Fair, Fun Day, Agrifair (the wettest ever and we spent time ditching around the tents) and the PNE. Hikes were made to Golden Ears, Matsqui trail and members participated in the usual parades and the White Rock walk in October.

August is usually hot and dry in this area but this year Agrifair got rained out. Some of the llamas had to be moved as their pens became flooded. The members who stayed on site overnight were up at midnight, digging ditches, trying to drain some of the water away.

This gives you a little idea of just how wet the area was. The rain would also collect on the tent roof and suddenly come splashing down.

Throughout the year members collected fibre, that was spun and knitted into an afghan, made up of 40 squares, that was donated to the CLA Conference in Kamloops held in October. This afghan fetched $1500!

Club members, Pat Hilton, Jane Pinkerton, Rose-Ann Lewis and Donna Macdonald are shown here with the buyer Alan Webber.

Otter 4H had a spin-off at the Sheep and Wool Fair starting with a llama being shorn and finishing with a piece of knitting.

The club adopted the logo used for the 1992 Conference, on approval of the CLA. New t-shirts and sweatshirts were printed with our club name on them and they are still available today.

An addendum to be enclosed in the club brochure was printed listing new farms.

A cart driving clinic was held in July with Chuck Jean at Country Spirit Llamas.

Members who joined in 1995 include:

Gundi, Gerhard and Mathian Bruckbauer
Diane and Dennie Cooney
Jenny and Al DeJong
Trudy and Brant Handel
Elfrida Lambert
Chris and Arne Larsen
Cathy and Jim Purney

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