12th December 2025

This week saw the last Breed Club Open show for 2025, when British Collie held their  show at Overseal, Nr Swadlincote, where centre stage was Lynda Nicholas. Lynda along with her sister, Karen, were, (some years back) always at the shows, with their family of collies under the Nickarlyn affix and actually were often present and also kept a wonderful photographic album of winners at these shows. Some of those holding Nickarlyn as their kennel name included: Matai Golden Days at N. who actually won the Reserve BCC at Crufts in 1979. N. Never Say Die, N Neapolitan Ice and N Nicolette amongst some of their winners. Nowadays, Lynda has other breeds and is often called upon for the abilities as an Approved RKC Trainer.
Today, Lynda had a reasonable entry, marred, as usual by absentees but found her BD in Jo Williams and Ch Mejola Top Gun, with Dave & Sue Randall’s Ladnar Call My Name in Reserve. BPD went to Jo with Mejola Endeavour.
For the ladies, her choice fell to Lene and Vivien, aka Ingledene Crystal Vision of Phreelancer, with Roughrigg Red Lagertha JW making a return to the show ring for Hannah & Simon who took RBB. BPB went to Rob & Margaret Shipp with Tremaro Fantasy and the mixed Veteran class was won by Multi Ch Brooklynson Miley Cyrus, who is 13 years young, and owned by Nick & Ann Smith and handled by Georgina and was thoroughly enjoying a day out to the applause of the ringside.
A Baby puppy class was scheduled for both Roughs & Smooths and of the 6 entered, just 4 arrived and winning this was the smooth, Blamorder Masterpiece with Christine & Noel Collins taking 2nd with Triburle The Spellmaster for the roughs.
Other class winners included, for roughs, Essanjay Ring of Fire; Libanel Everlasting Charm with Sommerfugl; Beldones Rich Velvet; Beldones Fantasy; Wicani Dulcibella Gyda Maysinder, Beldones Smart Touch ; Tremaro Million Dollar Baby and Aldreen Illusion In Blue at Didek.
BOB went to Lene and her blue girl. Smooths were judged by Marina McLaughlin and her choice for BOB was Blamorder Ice Cream Dream. Listed in the catalogue for BIS was John Congdon and the overall winner and taking home more rosettes etc was Lene and Ingledene Crystal Vision of Phreelancer. BPIS fell to Rob & Margaret with Tremaro Fantasy and BVIS to the smooth, Ice Cream Dream.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com