30th April

WELKS, (West of England Ladies Kennel Society)  would have held  a show in the Three Counties Showground,  nestling under the Malvern Hills, sometimes wet, even snow, but more often dry and hot. It was always one we looked forward to but this was a show that lost its CC status for our breed around 2007, and since then, although it has always scheduled classes for the breed with some interesting and new judges, obviously the entry figures have dropped and with the loss of Smooth CC’s, (I judged the last set of them in 2018), entries have fallen in both breeds.

I could never understand why the KC chose this show, amongst a few others, to remove our breed CC’s when, on average, we got exceptionally good entries as it was the first major outdoor show for the year and everyone enjoyed the setting and the venue.

Before Malvern, the show had been held at Staverton Airfield, Deane Close School Cheltenham and at Hinchwick, courtesy of Mr Pilkington of the glass fame. In 1947 the show was held also courtesy of Earl Bathurst in Cirencester Park and then moved in 1955 to Boddington Manor

Searching through the KCSB entries, the first record of WELKS, with CC’s for Roughs was held, I think, at the Pump Rooms, Cheltenham in 1937

The judge was Mr A Hyslop with the Dog CC being awarded to Laund Lieutenant and Bitch CC to Corella Sweet One, both sable and white.

Laund Lieutenant had been previously registered as Walkmills Fidelity and was in the ownership of Ada Bishop’s father, Mr WW Stansfield. He was bred by a Mr A Simpson and sired by City Magnet out of a bitch called Fenella and was born September 1933.

Corella Sweet One, born 28th July 1933 was the same way bred as Ch Corella Starboy (Corella Don ex Corella Mona) and owned and bred by S Watt.

Our breed has had some good winners over the years here along with some very well established judges, before CC status was lost.

From the 1980’s some of the judges included the late Margaret Osborne in 1980, Len Green (Coverdale’s,) Kathy and Alan Jeffries (Jefsfire), Joe Braddon, Diana Cochrane, (Duntiblae), Vic Salt, (Woodlyn), Jimmy Tait (Aberthorne), and in 1981, when our breed entries where becoming the norm of nearly 200 plus, 2 judges were introduced. Amongst those names who officiated together were Alan Mather (Rubec), Prue Green (Coverdale’s), Frank Davies,(Franwyns)  Ray Mitchell (Damirayan) , Joan Sykes (Sykeslaw), Hazel Hunt (Rifflesee), May Young (Ugony), Peggy House (Ravensbeck), Vera and Eddie Hickson (Bririch); Geoff Mildon (Geoffdon); Neville and Val Plimmer (Firestone); Andrew Thomson (Ashgate) and  I had the honour to judge with Ena Clarke (Lynway) in 1993.

In more recent times, as entry figures dropped, the society reverted to a single judge and the last set of CC’s awarded here, I think, was by Derek Smith.

2001 saw the cancellation of WELKS, in an anniversary year due to the Foot & Mouth epidemic but nothing like the situation we are in now, so stay safe and see you soon, hopefully before next year as WELKS will celebrate its 90th year

Sadly I have just heard that Di Johnson has died, wonderful tributes will be paid to this lady, whose knowledge of many breeds in lost to us. Often at many of the shows, those of us who knew Di well will miss her sparkling conversations and lovely personality. RIP Di

Also sad news from Phil Amos who let me know that Jim Torbet, Club Treasurer had also died. A full tribute will be next week.

Carole Smedley
Antoc