9th October In The Royal Botanical Gardens, Regents Park, London on June 28th to 30th 1900, the Ladies Summer Show was held! In fact, it was the 6th Midsummer Fete of the Ladies Kennel Association but I cannot locate any CC or Champion records in the KCSB but what a display of Cups and Trophies were listed, more of which later, next week According to the Catalogue, the Patron was HRH The Princess of Wales and the President was HRH The Duchess of Connaught but to give her a full title, which was Princess Louise Margaret, who was also Duchess of Strathearn. She was born in 1860 and died in 1917 and lived for a while at Bagshot Park in Surrey and Clarence House where she contracted influenza and bronchitis and subsequently died. In fact she was the first of the “Royal Family” to be cremated and she lies at Frogmore. There are refences to her in the book, Noble Hounds and Dear Companions (Sophie Gordon) which is a record of the many of the dogs in the royal kennels so, I hear you ask is the connection? Please read on. Some time earlier this year, Maxine Mellish (Demelewis) contacted me regarding a shield which she unearthed from the attic. It is beautiful trophy with the engraving The Connaught Shield, won by Campbell, Crystal Palace 1900. She is currently investigating the hallmarks but no doubt it is connected to HRH Duchess of Connaught, which is also the name of the Masonic Lodge connected to the KC along with many buildings in London that bear the same name. Back to the trophy it is also engraved with a shield containing a Harp and another with a coat of arms, all surrounded by Shamrocks! Should anyone have more information on this, both Maxine and I would be grateful to receive. As we know, Patron, Princess Alexandra later became Queen and on offer at the current LKA, for BIS, is another large ornate trophy, the Queen Alexandra Perpetual Trophy, which probably could one of those listed later in these notes.
The show was benched and fed by Spratts Limited, not only did it cater for “Ladies Dogs” but also Ladies Pigeons, Poultry and Cage Birds along with Photography and on June 28th and 29th only, the NCC Cat Show In the front of the catalogue, a copy, so very kindly supplied by the KC Library, is a list of “Absent Judges!” these include, a Mr Harding, who was to have judged, Beagles, Greyhounds, Bull Terriers, Great Danes, Black & Tan Terriers and various Toy dogs. H W Cheadle Esq. should have judged Newfoundland’s, Pekingese and Collies and it is marked that H E Bates, Esq. actually judged Collies! Before the numerous pages listing all the trophies on offer at this show, there is an advert for the “Ladies Field” published by George Newnes Ltd based in the Strand. It is listed as the Leading Ladies Paper and features Ladies Kennels. Also it suggests that as this paper covers sport, fashion, literature, art and drama that London and Country Hostesses and Fair Farmeresses take advantage of its contents, all at a cost of 6d weekly. It is interesting to note that the “Ladies Field Trophy” is still in existence, and is a very ornate tri-handled trophy presented to the winner of Reserve Best In Show at the current LKA – which due to Covid will not be taking place in 2020.
Now to the show, under the heading Collies, was an interesting entry of names, some of whom are totally unknown to me and later classes scheduled for Sheepdogs and Smooth Collies. The Puppy class, there were 7 entries, one of which was a “litter” born April 24th 1900 for sale at £2.2s each, sired by Roy of Tirconnill out of Hardwood Dainty. The winner was Lady Lyttleton, born Aug 20th 1899 sired by Haywood Persimmon ex Lady Diamond. Following her entry, it states that previous wins include 1 x 2nd and a selling price of £150. The Novice class, also had the same prize money and an entry of 8, although the awards do take some sorting as 3 entries are marked VHC but the winner was Miss K A Dippie and her Pata Alexander, born 10th June 1898, bred by Mr J Stewart. Sired by Leek Monty (who was a son of Ch Metchley Wonder) out of Strathspey Fly. Entered in 4 classes, his entry form confirmed he was eligible for all prizes and a price tag of £55 is shown. The Winner of the Novice Trophy for Collies receved a Handsome Silver Fruit Dish in a Morocco Case and I assume that this went to Pata Alexander.
Maiden had 3 new dogs and 3 seen dogs with Pata Alexander winning again also with prize money Limit Dog was the next scheduled class and contained Sandringham Locheil, owned by HRH The Princess of Wales and bred by Mrs Panmure-Gordon. Sired by Ch Rightaway out of Old Hall Queen and was born 15th May 1897; however it would appear, he was 4th in his class of 4 Miss J Watson owned Sraightaway, who appears to hold a KCSB No of 1580 and was bred by Mr H Miller, sired by Doon Marvel out of Larbert Rose, although the name printed is Larbert Max and changed to Rose. He won the class, and the following Open Dog class. He too was entered to compete for all special prizes and had a £100 price tag. More details on the winners, prizes and information will follow next week Now, to end this on a more up to date issue, a telephone call from Grenville Francis has confirmed that next year, all being well, the KC have allowed Irish Collie to hold 2 Championship shows on the same day. The first in the morning, followed by the second in the afternoon with Belfast Ch Show the following day. So, in theory, you could make up a new UK Champion in one weekend by attending all three shows! So let us all be positive and hope the Covid is a little more controllable by September 2021 and we can all celebrate a great weekend with the famous Irish hospitality on offer. Carole Smedley
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