Breed Notes
3rd December

Sadly I start these notes with the loss of 2 ladies. Firstly Nan Kirk, wife of the late Joe Kirk who died on November 20th, peacefully at Lisburn Intermediate Care Home. To her sons, Gordon & Geoffrey and their families we extend our thoughts. The funeral was held on 25th November, a private affair but should anyone wish to make donations, these are to Cancer Research UK, PO Box 1561 Oxford OX4 992.  Along with late husband Joe and they had the Cregagh Collies, with many Champions, along with Bearded Collies and Shelties. Nan was a much respected judge in her own right. Perhaps the highlight of her Collie judging was when she judged, alongside Joe at Crufts in 2000 where her CC winner was the precocious Brooklynson Golden Fashion, winning her 2nd CC and in reserve was Barry & Ros Makepeace with Lynaire Silver Cascade. Many may also recall that Nan judged at one Belfast, and with held the Dog CC back in 1981 – and recalling, that at that time, it caused quite a stir, but, as usual Nan was right as none of the entrants on the day were worthy, in her opinion. I just wish more judges would actually look at he animals in front of them and make similar decisions if required.  Nan was approved for many breeds and was a very popular judge and although she had a wicked sense of humour, in the show ring, everything had to be “just right”. I recall once showing under Nan, I was a little concerned I would make a silly mistake, and I did. So intent on watching her, I did not notice that my charge had slipped its lead, so when asked to move; I set off without a dog! Nan laughed and we retrieved the dog and moved and then to my amazement, won the CC!

Another great lady has left us, in the form of Ann Arch, who I had the honour of working with for a short while, as Asst Secretary at National Working & Pastoral Breeds. Anne was NWPDS and built it up from small beginnings to the show it is today. Other tributes to Ann will be found in this issue. As a judge of many breeds, she always drew a good entry of Roughs with her last appointment in 2001 at Midland Collie Club.

Now another date for your 2022 diary, British Collie of The Year. To be held Saturday 29th January at the Novotel Hotel, Bostocks Lane, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 4EP. This annual competition is open to all CC, RCC, BPIB and BVIB winners at all the 2021 Ch Shows and also the 4 shows that took place in 2020. The judges have been announced as Dianna Spavin for the All Rounder, with Marina McLaughlin and Robin Blaikie as breed specialists. Please contact Jo Hodges for tickets and further information on jopiumcollies@gmail.com.

Ayrshire Collie have seen a few Officers changes recently with the new Acting Secretary being Morag McCarte, who can be contacted on roughrigg@aol.com Husband Jim has taken over as Acting President and I am sure you will wish them both “Good Luck” in their new roles and continue to support to ACC in the future.  As you are all aware the CA held their Ch show this weekend with a wonderful entry of 132 Roughs making 152 entries and 19 Smooths. A full and detailed report will follow next week.

Before reporting on the CA Ch show with sad news concerning two gentlemen who are now no longer with us,

Firstly, Christine Collins, Secretary of Collie Club of Wales as let us know the club have lost their Chairman, Reg Lippiet (Bryndawn) from underlying health issues resulting in pneumonia. He leaves sons, David, Richard and Martin and had lost his wife Val some years back. A stalwart member of CCW he was often found selling raffle tickets and helping exhibitors in with all their “baggage”. He and Noel Collins made a formidable team selling raffle tickets and enticing all to partake and raise funds for the Club. Although Val and Reg gave up exhibiting many years back, they were often found at some of the local shows, esp. the Ch shows along with a cool box full of goodies and cakes which were offered to all. If they were late in arriving, I am told it was normally due to the fact that Val was buying out the local Tesco en route. To all who knew Reg, especially to close friends, Noel and Christine we extend our sympathies.

Now to the loss of Joe Chorley (Lochrey) who had been ill for a while and although he had reasonable good health, the loss of his soul mate, Margaret, really hit him hard. He leaves behind loving families who have let me know that his funeral will take place on 22nd December at St Helens Crematorium at 10.30am followed by Burial at the connected St Helen’s Cemetery at 11.00am. All are welcome. Flowers or donations to the Ocular Oncology Unit at the Royal Hospital or via the Co-Op Funeral Directors, Eccleston Street, St Helens. To daughter Jennifer and family our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Joe was a popular judge, not only for Roughs but for others in the Pastoral Group and before Margaret died, they could be found ringside with many friends joining in the friendly banter.

As far as Roughs are concerned his last appointment was at Paignton in 2017 where he awarded a 2nd CC to Louise Rae’s Antoc Soul Mate (having also awarded a 1st CC to his sister, later to become Ch Antoc Soul Diva). At Paignton he made one person particularly happy as she won her first ever CC with the blue, Sun Soul Demy Blue for Monsolana at Lynviews for Lynne Avery.  Another first time winner back in 2015 at the Collie Association, was Stacy Steven with her first show boy, Cariadhaf Crazy Dream who took the Reserve DCC to Ch Atendus Erasure who was made up on the day.

Now to the Collie Association Ch Show held at Coventry with a spectacular entry of 137 roughs for Judges Albert Wight (Sharval) and Tracy Wilkinson (Altricia) There were a few absentees, due to the weather forecast and Storm Arwen but all classes were well filled. Secretary, Sheila Telford had everything under control and many were greeted by Club President, Sandra Wigglesworth. I don’t think that Club Patron Derek Smith was present but everyone seemed to enjoy their day despite the cold.

Albert is one of our most respected judges, with appointments to numerous to mention and always draws an excellent entry based on his knowledge of the breed. His choice, from the well filled Open Class of 14, including 5 existing Champions and a few dual CC winners was Miranda Blake’s Corydon Trump the Lot. Known at home as Donald he is a favourite of father John who handled him to this win. Having been hospitalized a few weeks back with heart issue, it must have been such a pleasure for daughter Miranda to see her father not only back in the ring but also moving at speed!

Donald won both of his previous CCs at Darlington in 2019 from Graham Hill and again this year from Kevin Young. Sired by Ch Corydon The Ringleader out of Corydon Moonflower, he was born in October 2016.

Standing 2nd in the same class was Ch Ingledene Mercury Risin’, Freddie to his friends and he took the RDCC for Val & John Geddes. Just to refresh your memory his sire is Int Ch/Ch One Extraordinary Blu di Cambiano out of Ch Ingledene Spirit of Ecstasy.  Winning Puppy Dog and BPD was Demelewis Silver Spur at Corydon, bred by Maxine Mellish by Corydon Riffson out of Demelewis Double Dare.

Winning Veteran was Louise Rae’s dual CC winning Antoc Soul Mate, handled by mum Sue. He is sired by Ch Jopium Touch of Soul for Triburle JW out of the late Francheska From Antoc and bred by Carole & Jim Smedley.

Bitches were judged by Tracy Wilkinson (Altricia), this was her first Club Ch show having previously judged at Blackpool, Leeds, Richmond and NWPDS and her choice for the CC was another tricolour in the form of Dave and Sue Randall with Ladnar Inkspot who won the Special Yearling class of 10. She was born during the first lockdown, by Ch Beldones Blue Echo out of Ladnar Inkheart JW in March 2020.

The RBCC went to Lorraine Quince and her Thistlewing Celtic Soul for Karafaye who won the Graduate class of 11. Sired by Karafaye Scotch Blend at Thistlewing out of Yenroc Scottish Harmony at Thistlewing and bred by Brenda Welsh.

Best Puppy bitch went to Dave & Sue with their latest baby, Ladnar Izadorable. Sired by Ch Ladnar Mustriharder out of the imported Fata Turchina Ladnar di Cambiano and she was born 26th May this year.

Collingvale Chardonnay continued her winning ways by taking Veteran for Jane Margetts. Sired by Ch Danfrebek Soul Dust at Rantara JW out of Lynmead Look Gracefully Over Collingvale and she celebrates her birthday in May, having been born in 2013.
For the In Show awards, I am lead to believe that neither judge could agree, so the Referee/BIS Judge, Anne Hollywood decided that BOB Rough should be the tricolour bitch.

The CA scheduled Smooth classes and winning BOB from Marianne Grindley was Port Ch/Uk Ch Winter Is Coming To Tentola for Nick and Anne Smith. Finally BIS went to the Rough bitch, with the Smooth RBIS who was also BOSIS and BPIS to the baby blue of the Randall’s.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)