Old Pond publishing days

A Way of Life - back in print

We're pleased to announce that due to popular demand, 'A Way of Life, sheepdog training, handling & trialing' is now back in print and available for purchase on the Old Pond website.

This book is a complete guide to sheepdog work in which the story of Glyn Jones' life with sheepdogs is presented as an integral part of his practical advice on training, handling, trialling and breeding.

There are chapters on: choosing a dog; foundations of rearing and training; taking the dog from play to work; the first instructions; widening the dog's experience; singling and the outrun; nursery trials; the turnback; 'polishing' the dog; brace work; sheepdog trials in Britain and North America; a guide for the novice breeder; veterinary appendices.

A third-generation sheepdog handler, Glyn Jones demonstrates his knowledge of the delicate balance between handler, dogs and sheep. His collaborator on the book, Barbara Collins was formerly editor of Working Sheepdog News.

To buy your copy, follow this link

The Underground - new DVD

We're pleased to announce the release and availability of another brand new DVD: The Underground. This BBC series goes behind the scenes of the world's oldest, biggest and busiest underground network - the London Underground.

Made with unique access, this series takes us to places we've always wanted to see - behind hoardings to reveal massive new engineering works, inside the command centre to find out what running the world's most complex train set is really like, and into the hidden world of the Tube at night.

The series follows key members of the Tube's 19,000 staff - from chief operating officer Howard Collins down to the litter pickers who walk miles of track every night collecting rubbish. Drivers, station staff and emergency response workers all reveal their unique perspective on us - the passengers. From tourists to suburban commuters to drunks getting the last train home, we capture the life of the Tube in all its guises.

And with ten billion pounds currently being spent on the biggest upgrade of any rail network ever, we show how the process of dragging a Victorian infrastructure kicking and screaming into the 21st century doesn't always run on rails.

Order your copy of this fascinating DVD online now for just £15.99 at http://www.oldpond.com/the-underground-2-dvds.html

Robots herding sheep?

An item in the news caught my eye today as it talks about how sheep dogs could be replaced by robots in a threat to one of the last remaining farming traditions in our country!  Scientists from the University of Swansea have discovered an algorithm which they believe would enable them to programme robots to do the job of sheep dogs, thus making the border collies redundant!

It seems that rounding up sheep is a simple process, following basic mathematical rules: one causes the sheepdog to close any gaps it sees, the other to drive sheep forward once the gaps are closed.  When scientists used computer simulation, they found that simply following these rules allowed a single shepherd or sheepdog to control a flock of more than 100.

So what does this mean for our sheep farmers and their faithful canine companions? Well sheep dogs are just that, companions and friends.  Would robots be able to emanate that bond? Put simply, no. So whilst science and technology might say that our four legged friends are replaceable, hopefully this will not materialise in reality.

For those sheep dog enthusiasts amongst you, have a look at the range of sheep dog related titles in the Old Pond store.  If you’re not already convinced of the irreplaceability of sheep dogs, we think these will do the trick!

For more details about the scientific study, read this article on The Telegraph online.

Brand New DVD: The Railway, Keeping Britain on Track

We're pleased to announce another new release: The Railway, Keeping Britain on Track.

Britain has the oldest and one of the busiest railways in the world. Whether it's delays, overcrowding or fare rises, we all love to complain about the trains; used to being the butt of complaints, the rail industry has always kept itself behind closed doors. Until now... With unprecedented access this six-part observational documentary series goes behind the scenes of one of Britain's biggest institutions. Filmed over a year and across the country, this candid series gets to know the track-workers, train guards and management who are battling to keep Britain moving - where anything from suicidal people or an unlucky pheasant, to faulty signalling, cable thieves and mother nature can all bring the railway to a grinding halt. These are the people on the frontline who have the unenviable task of managing a congested, complex and often outdated system. Told with humour, warmth and honesty, this DVD reveals what's really going on when we're left fuming on the platform.

The brand new DVD is on sale now for just £15.99

http://www.oldpond.com/the-railway-keeping-britain-on-track-2-dvds.html

Author News: Stuart Gibbard

Here at Old Pond we know that you like to keep up-to-date with our authors news, so we thought we'd update you on what Stuart Gibbard has been doing recently.  In his own words:

"Since completing Part 2 of the David Brown Tractor Story, I’ve been busy with numerous projects including monthly articles for Classic Tractor, Farm Machinery Journal and Tractor & Farming Heritage magazines. I also edit the David Brown Tractor Club’s quarterly Tractor News. In April, I was appointed vintage tractor consultant to the leading auction house, Cheffins of Cambridge. Hopefully, things should quieten down next year, which will allow me to turn my attention to Part 3 of the David Brown book – I’ve already started gathering material."

If you've not yet got your copy of The David Brown Tractor Story, Part 2, this is available on the Old Pond website for just £34.95.  And for those fans of the story, don't worry, we'll keep you posted on news about Part 3.

Stuart, on a David Brown tractor, at the book launch for Part 2 of the David Brown Story.

 

Great British Commercial Vehicles DVD

We're pleased to announce the availability of a new 4 DVD boxed set: Great British Commercial Vehicles is a collection of programmes about the vehicles which have kept Britain moving. It includes: a Leyland Comet mine rescue vehicle, a 1949 Metz fire engine, 1926 Model T Ford lorry, 1913 Leyland ST bus, 1966 Snorkel fire engine from the USA, the British Gas vehicle collection, and many more!

 

You can buy this great boxed set on the Old Pond website now for just £14.99 http://www.oldpond.com/great-british-commercial-vehicles-dvd.html

Watch the trailer for the new Border Collie Sheepdogs - off duty!
Now in stock & available to buy from Old Pond http://www.oldpond.com/border-collie-sheepdogs-off-duty-dvd.html

New Sheepdog DVDs

For those of you who are animal lovers or interested in sheepdogs, you'll be pleased to hear that we have just received stock of 3 new DVDs which we know you will enjoy:

Border Collie Sheepdogs - off duty!
Watch the sheepdogs and cute puppies of Kings Green Farm in action and relaxing together in ways the average pet owner never sees.  Stunning photography and a superb soundtrack make these eighty minutes of pure joy from start to finish!  A geat gift for all dog lovers. 

 

 

Border Collie Sheepdogs & Friends - still off duty!
Not all the dogs at Kings Green Farm are sheepdogs, but they all get along. Our latest DVD shows how puppies of any breed will learn from the adults, as well as from each other.  All the action is set to varied and atmospheric music tracks to suit the scenes, and the result is an amazing Border collie action DVD.

 

Sheepdog Training Tutorials
From starting a puppy to driving & shedding, pro sheepdog trainer Andy Nickless guides you through the topic about which most handlers have questions. This great 2 DVD set uses video, superb graphics and slow motion.

 

NEW BOOK - Dogs of the Shepherds - a review of the Pastoral Breeds

We're pleased to announce the forthcoming release of a brand new title: Dogs of the Shepherds - a review of the Pastoral Breeds.  This new book by David Hancock is a reflective view of the pastoral dogs' contribution to the working & companion dog scene.  Painstakingly researched and packed with information, this book is a searching examination of their past, their performance and their prospects in an increasingly urban society.

The author of twelve previous books on dogs and with over 750 articles published in national and international magazines, Colonel David Hancock MBE has studied dogs for over half a century in more than twenty countries.  In 2009 he won the annual award of the Dog Writers' Association of America, having been a runner-up two years earlier.  His last book, on Hounds, was widely acclaimed.  He owned Border Collies for over thirty years and was responsible for a Rare Breeds farm for over a decade, wrote articles for country magazines and has advised TV production companies on recent documentaries on dogs.  He was a contributor to the Bateson Report, an inquiry into pedigree dog breeding in the UK.

This fascinating new hardback book will be available in August and is available for pre-order TODAY for £25.00 (+postage).  Go to http://www.oldpond.com/dogs-of-the-shepherds-a-review-of-the-pastoral-breeds.html or telephone us with your order to ensure you get a copy as soon as it is available.