19th September 2025

Before you sit and read these notes, and I know some get a cuppa beforehand and I do thank you all for reading.

May I ask a BIG FAVOUR of you? All who access the Collielife Web site and others do please go, look, and read, the new statement on the front page regarding Copyright Protection. Thank you

Julie Growcott, who runs Collielife, this most informative of sites, has been forced into adding this statement as it has come to light that a certain few people have been directly making copies of information and then using it for their own and passing it off as “NEW”.

We all welcome new Collie orientated sites, no more so than me, as information is always available for anyone to learn from. Thank you.

Firstly, some good news concerning the Rough Collie Obreedience Team, this news is direct from Jane Spendelow with many thanks. Jane was not able to attend this latest event but has kindly let me have this news.
The team, Diamonds in The Rough has been busy competing in various competitions with a view to possibly being able to compete against other breeds at Crufts 2026. This involves much hard work from all parties including the dogs!
Their latest venture was at Lichfield DTC show and the team managed an excellent 3rd overall placing.  The team members competing that day were, Tara with Briar, Kathryn and Rio, Dave and Isi along with Claire and Blaze.  There is just one more heat to complete and dependant on the result maybe an invitation to attend will be forthcoming – well done to all who take part, you really are doing your bit to promote the breed in aspects other than showing.
At the weekend, despite horrendous traffic issues on every motorway, many set off for the two shows held on Ripon Racecourse. The first was Northumberland & Durham Ch show held alongside the main Ch show, Darlington
With Northumberland and Durham starting judging at 9am many had assembled to see another first-time judge: Josep Maria Cabano Garcia, who has the Delfluvia kennel in Spain assess his very good entry of 84, but once again there were quite a few absent from the classes and a few NFC entries.
It was an interesting watch from those who supplied videos (thanks to Luis and Sue Beare to name just two) as some exhibitors were somewhat confused as in some classes exhibits were moved out and placed before the final actual class awards were made. I always understood whilst judging abroad, as Josep was, his first UK appointment, that you judge to the current rules and regulations of the country in which you are judging.
This show, headed by Josh Blackburn had worked hard for the exhibitors and organised judging in a nearby / adjacent ring with Darlington Show Committee. There were quite a few tables loaded with raffle prizes, drinks and chocolates. Although the weather held, I understand that at times it was a bit chilly but those entered in both shows were kept busy and warm moving from ring to ring and if needed, N&D had stated they would wait for any clash of classes.
A delighted couple of exhibitors have actually made contact, for this, please accept my thanks, also to those who also kept me up to date with class results. With videos of challenges, one could sit at home and enjoy the day
Taking the first class, was the very happy puppy, Karen Johnston and baby blue, Paulara Ocean Raine at Geosamka. Melissa, also alone won PD with Gataj Strike It Lucky. Two arrived for Junior with Miranda and Ninja taking this class, followed by wins in both Yearling and Novice.  Also, alone in his class was Didek Eclipse of the Moon for Mrs Foster from Scotland. Post Grad had 3 present and winning this was the sable, Avonfair Aloysius JW, handled by co-owner Michelle Mitchell on behalf of other family members.
Limit was a win for Caz Waterhouse and her dual CC winning Lynmead Royal Lover and he headed the class of 9 with 2 absent.
Open, a class of 12, with 4 missing was headed by Jo Hodges and Rocky, Ch Jopium Love On The Rocks followed by a class of 3 Veterans, headed by Michelle McCann and Ch Oakland Blue Style du Clos de Sea-Wind at Zolkhan back out and winning. This blue merle is sired by Hot Chocolate du Clos de Sea-Wind out of I Have A Blue Dream du Clos de Sea-Wind and  in his early days amassed 9 CC’s including BIS at British, and, if I recall correctly the RDCC at Crufts today, he was moved by husband Jim, (making an excellent show debut)
The CC, his 5th, I think, went to Jo and Rocky and called in for the RDCC was Ch Beldones Ivory Star for Brian & Odile. BPD was Melissa and BVD to Michelle and Ollie.
Now to the ladies, taking a 1st CC was Caz Waterhouse and Toyah, Lynmead Waiting for Love. She is in fact, a litter sister to Eddie (Lynmead Royal Lover) and she won Post Graduate. And the RBCC went to Melissa and Gataj Exotic Girl, and in a message from Melissa, she reminds us that Gataj Exotic Girl annexed this same award at Darlington show last year – it must yet another happy hunting ground for the Gataj family
Others to win classes here included: Gataj First Love at Treweek for Jackie Dix, Gataj Struck By Love for Melissa who won PB, Sheila Carlton was one of many who made the journey to N&D and also suffered sever traffic issues but she did bring with her Lynmead Dresses the Stars at Sambreeze who was placed 2nd in her puppy class, then stood alone to win Junior. Yearling was won by the RBCC winner, Gataj Exotic Girl. Beldones Classic Touch won Novice, whilst Paulara Picture Perfect at Telforth won Graduate but she was alone. Lynmead Waiting For Love took PG; Avonfair Secret Love to Salsina won limit, a good class of 11 with 2 absent owned and handled by Jayne & Carl Llewellyn Open was won by Ch Gataj Good Time Girl for Melissa and Veteran went to the effervescent Dreamy, Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisian for the Brookers. BCC, as stated was Cas, RBCC to Gataj Exotic Girl, BPB to Gataj Struck By Love and VB to Dreamy
At the end of the day, Josep selected Caz and her Toyah for BIS, Melissa took RBIS and BPIS whilst Ollie annexed Best Veteran In show for Michelle McCann.
The judge at Darlington was Toni Jackson, who has the Elbereth kennel of Finnish Lapphunds and this was her 2nd appointment for Roughs as her first was at Southern Counties in 2021. Her original entry was 73 and according to Higham Press there were the usual number of absentees listed as 14 but similar dogs had been entered at both shows.
Taking a 7th CC from Open was Clovis, Ch Beldones Ivory Star, owed and bred by Odile & Brian. Just to remind you of his breeding, sired by Ch Camanna Codename out of Beldones Ebony and Ivory.
Standing 2nd in the same class, was Ch Gataj Turn Back Time for Melissa Lockyer. A sable who already has a few CC’s under his collar, he is sired by Perfect Timing du Clos de Sea-Wind at Gataj out of Nasty Girl de Clos de Sea-Wind at Gataj. Many of his offspring and relatives have also been winning well for Melissa.
The first class was Veteran and nice to see Ch Oakland Blue Style du Clos de Sea-Wind at Zolkhan back out and winning repeating his win at next door’s N&D

MP, alone again was Karen Johnston and her very happy baby blue, Paulara Ocean Raine at Geosamka. Melissa, also alone winning PD with Gataj Strike It Lucky. Another recent winner, Corydon The Baronet won Junior. Michelle Mitchell piloted Avonfair Aloysius JW to win PG for her and family. Robin Blaikie took Limit with Kourika The Gigolo.
Now to the ladies, as yet no news from the winning owner yet, but the BCC, her 2nd went to the winner of Open, Brenda Welsh and her Thistlewing Magic Lady. To remind you all, she won her 1st CC at Three Counties earlier this year from Sally Duffin. Sired by Culbrae Red Again out of Thistlewing Octavia (a daughter of Ch Karafaye Scotch Blend at Thistlewing out of Yenroc Scottish Harmony at Thistlewing) and she was born in May 2020.
Winning the RBCC, from Limit, was Jo Hodges and her recent CC winning blue, Unusual Beauty Des Conquettes De Don Juan at Jopium and whose breeding was listed very recently. Best Veteran was a nice win for Marianne Benton and Keira, Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle VW ShCEx and just to remind you, she is sired by Brooklynson James Bond out of Brooklynson Joanna and she was born in November 2014 and is still a great ambassador for the breed.
John Congdon’s Aaronwell All About Elsa won the MPB class of 2, followed by Puppy and Gataj Struck By Love (sister to the MPD) winning. Wendy Boyd and Audrey Magill entered their Gemheid May’d of Gold for Stregato and won Junior. Melissa returned to the ring to win PG with Gataj Exotic Girl. With the winners of both Limit and Open taking top awards, the final award of BOB went to Ch Beldones Ivory Star, BPIB to Gataj Strike It Lucky and BVIB to Marianne and Keira. Although most stayed for their groups, I have not seen/heard of any placings.
Finally, many of your may have wondered why there has been no Obituary for the late Jean Catliff. I have been in regular touch with John who is still trying coming to terms with the loss and would like to thank all of you for your comments and when he is feeling better, no doubt a tribute will appear and I end these notes with another piece of sad news, as I have just heard that Brian Hull (Lizmark) has also just died.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com