 |
WEST OF ENGLAND COLLIE SOCIETY |
The South West corner of England although often
producing important kennels had never been associated
with the Collie’s development until the early post war period when
they made a significant contribution to the breed’s ultimate regeneration.
Initial attempts at establishing a regional society were disappointing, but after advertising for support sufficient interest was shown to gain Kennel Club registration for the West of England Collie Society in March 1949, with founder members Mr Fred Daw ‘Frienell’ as President, and Mr B. Findley holding the secretarial reigns for the first four years before passing them to Mrs H. Collins ‘Riffelsee’, another founder member who is better known to today’s fanciers as Hazel Hunt ‘Rifflesea’.
UNUSUAL REQUIREMENT
The West of England Collie Society’s first show held at the Bristol Cattle Market, which took place in the autumn of 1949, introduced five new trophies, all solid silver at the insistence of the club’s first Chairman Mr Armitage. At the Society’s first Championship Show in September 1956, the judge Mr S. A. Martin ‘Sylvestrel’ gave Mr Frank Mitchell a day to remember with three bitches in the challenge, including Sceptre of Glenmist, winning from puppy, with the dog ticket going to Lancelot of Overmist, both winning their only Challenge Certificate on the day.
Championship status was withdrawn for the following year, but returned in 1959 for a three year run before the Society once again reverted to Open Show status, until Championship status finally returned for an almost thirty year run in 1969.
SPECIAL CONCESSION
With the show established as a popular annual event the Kennel Club decided to reduce the Challenge Certificate allocation for Rough Collies in 1996, deeming it necessary to curtail the number available at Breed Club shows to 13 each year. This to be accomplished by the West of England Collie Society and the Collie Club of Wales holding Championship Shows on alternate years, although a special dispensation was granted for the club’s Golden Jubilee year celebrations in 1999. |
Bitch CC: Sceptre of Glenmist
winning her only Challenge Certificates from Puppy at the West of England Collie Society’s 1st Championship Show in September 1956,
beating her dam Ch Riffelsee Reward of Glenmist into the Reserve spot
|
Unable to find an image of the dog Challenge Certificate winner from the first West of England Collie Society Championship Show we are featuring the dog and bitch Challenge Certificate winners from the first of their continuous run of Championship Show which started when respected breed specialist Mr Tom Purvis ‘Danvis’ judged the Society’s May 1969 Championship Show awarding the Challenge Certificates to: |
|
|
Bitch CC and Best in Show
Sandiacre String of Pearls winning her 3rd Challenge Certificates and with it her title on the day.
Image courtesy of Mrs Sandra Wigglesworth ‘Sandiacre Collies’ |
Dog CC
Ch Royal Ace of Rokeby winning his 6th of seven Challenge Certificates |
The West of England Collie Society has always taken a keen interest in health matters, for many years holding an annual eye testing session in conjunction with one of its shows, whilst the ‘Round Up’, edited by Mrs Hazel Hunt, which became freely available to all members in 1979, has, over the years, highlighted many topics of interest to the exhibitor/breeder.
The West of England Collie Society’s current aims and objective shall be:
 To promote the breeding and exhibition of the pedigree Collie – Rough and Smooth.
To help and encourage the novice and small breeder.
To do all possible to further the progress of the breed as a whole.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
ON THE ROUND UP
CONTACTS
Membership is open to all.
For more details about the West of England Collie Society, and its activities contact the Secretary, - Secretary - Mr Peter Cornish,
1 Hollis Avenue, North Weston, Portishead BS20 6TQ
Telephone: 01275 845567 mobile 07903 385412
email: wecssecretary@gmail.com or visit the clubs website
last update 01-May-2023
|
