24th January 2025
I start these notes on a sad note but end with news of a very special birthday present for another.
I received a message from Sam Wrisdale (nee Bedford) gave me news that Beverley Hollamby lost her battle with the Big C , An obituary, from Sam is available on Collie Life Site
Bev and her Jayverly collies were quite a force in the show ring and she did win the Dog CC at Crufts, from the late Iris Coombe in 1990 with Ch Super Ted, who was sired by Ch Brilyn Super Tramp out of a bitch Jayverly Victoria Plum, Based mainly on breeding from the Arranbrook kennel, one of her most influential dogs was Jayverly Kinda Smart who produced her many winners and also appears in many of the Sachenda Champions owned by Samantha,
To both families we send our sincere condolences and our thoughts are with you all.

Now to Manchester, now settled in its home at Stafford, known to many as “The Classic” had Roughs on show on Saturday with Gary Clarke (Claygar) on his 2nd appointment for our breed.
The entry was a good 102 from 91 dogs and I understand Roughs were 2nd in the ring following Hungarian Puli. At the end of the day we have our first Champion to enter the record books for 2025 and a 2nd CC for another.

Class winners in dogs were: Melissa with her tri baby, Gataj I Am Maximus who won PD; Junior was another tri, this was Valerie Geddes and Ingledene Absolute Legend. Yvonne Ross took PG with Siluto Blue Wizzard at Amberwish; Jo Williams and Maverick (Mejola Top Gun) won Limit and standing 1st in Open was Gwen Beadon and Marvalan Spirit of Rock (Imp Pol). The Jones family won Veteran with Brooklynson Black Diamond With Dancol and Lynda Boyle won SBD with Barrenclough Heart of Gold JW.
Taking the CC, his 3rd and now to be known as Ch Marvalan Spirit of Rock, or Hecktor to his friends. Bred in Poland by Martyna Nowakowska and he was born 1st Nov 2019. Sired by Pol Ch Marvalan Dream Defender and dam Pol Ch Marvalan Black Diamond For Daccaria . He won his previous CC’s at EACA 2022 from Jenny Miller, his 2nd at SKC in 2023 from Richard Kinsey with many super wins in between, This news must be a boost for breeder Martyna, as she has been dealing with quite a few family issues and now can add to her extensive list of winners, a UK Champion. Also, it was so good to receive a long message from owner Gwen, outlining this and to make her day even better, was actually celebrating her birthday!

Winning the RDCC was John Blake’s Corydon Christopher who was called in as he was placed 2nd in the same class. His breeding was given recently following his last big win of the CC at LKA last year
Now for the ladies, and so nice to receive a message from Simon Walder, co-owner of Roughrigg Red Lagertha JW who annexed her 2nd CC on the day from the Limit class in which he says “Having returned from a few days abroad in search of some sunshine and battery recharging after COTY, we came home and had a rapid turnaround involving dog bathing and suitcase swapping before heading up to Stafford  Nothing in the group, but the girls did their best. It was a long day, with an emergency call to the dog sitter to ask her to stay longer to walk and feed the other Hanvale Hounds, and we finally sat down to dinner at 10pm, tired but very happy. 
Other class winners included: Gataj All That Glitters at her 2nd show for Melissa; Corydon Christiana with Miranda Blake; Shelley Skinner handled Kiss Me Kate di Cambiano for Marion Radford-House and Maxine with Demelewis Double Take who won Open. There were no Veteran ladies entered but Lynda’s Boyle won SBB with her recent JW winning Timeless Destiny Star Actis Over Barrenclough.
The RBCC went to Melissa and her baby girl, much to her shock and amazement.
BOB fell to Red Lagertha (Ranna) with BPIB to Melissa, BVIB to Black Diamond and Best SBB to Lynda and Heart of Gold
Although everyone stayed for the Groups, we did not appear to feature but pleased to say, one collie person had a great day, as Jo Hodges won her 1st CC with her ASD Jopium Dark And Demure from Junior well done
If anyone watched Alan  Titchmarsh programme, Love Your Weekend, it is available on “Catch Up” tv you will have seen our own Stephen Clarke promoting the breed along with a very well-behaved tricolour.

Finally, another bit of good news regarding promoting our breed comes from Jane Spendelow, who, with a team of Rough Collies under the name of Diamonds In The Rough competed in and were placed in their first ever Obreedience Competition hopefully with a view to actually competing at Crufts next year. They manged a very creditable 8th and gained 3 points toward qualification. This team, put together by Jane had never been able to practise as a team but had set up Video sessions but as Jane reports, they are still in need of more team members to join Katherine Notley, Jax Tara Clare and Clare Walton with a view to promoting the breed. If anyone is interested please contact Jane direct.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com