17th October 2025

South Wales Kennel Association is now settled in its home at Builth and utilises a few halls and is now classed as an indoor show, this year it was un-benched and according to many it was rather noisy which is not good for our sensitive breed. Many may recall sunny days and judging outside at the venue of David Broome and his horse establishment near Chepstow and was held earlier in the year just before the KC removed CC status for a while but with support from both Collie Club of Wales, West of England CS and the Rough Collie Breed Council, CC status has been restored.
Now held over 4 days, Roughs were scheduled for Saturday and quite a chilly morning greeted those who entered.
The judge was originally listed as Marianne Grindley, but as we all know, a rather special invitation caused her to withdraw.
The new judge was listed as Mrs Samantha Wrisdale, better known by many of the established exhibitors as Sam Bedford, who had the Sachenda kennel along with her late relative, Beverley Hollamby (Jayverly) with whom were quite a force in their local area of Boston, Lincs. Sam had previously judged at Midland Collie in 2021 followed by CA in 2022.
The entry had been received as 45, comprising of 17 males and 28 females, as usual there were a few missing, leaving 15 and 18 on show. By mid-morning all judging was completed and many were travelling back home.
The winner of the Dog CC,  repeating his CC win here from last year, was won by Brian & Odile, was Ch Beldones Toucher des Bois, a special favourite of Odile who handled him  to win over Ch Gataj Turn Back Time in the Open class. This was his 4th CC  having acquired his title last year. The largest class in males was  Limit with all 5 present and this went to Robin Blaikie and his blue, Kourika The Gigolo. Post Grad had Julie Edwards and Eleri Bluck winning with their Beldones Mojito. Junior went to Ladnar Call My Name for Dave & Sue Randall, with both Serenlas The Jokerman and Gataj Strike It Lucky being alone in their respective MP and Puppy Class. Dr Lynda Boyle won both Veteran and Good Citizen with Barrenclough Heart of Gold JW ShCEx OSW and VW titles. The RDCC, yet another to add to his collection, was Vince, Ladnar Call May Name. Just to refresh your memories, Honky Tonk Man of River Tweed was the sire of the CC winner, out of Beldones Enable and Ladnar Call My Name is sired by Myriehewe London Calling out of Ladnar Izadorable
Hannah Lyall won Veteran with her sable, Santaloly’s Sky Amidalas and also the Good Citizen class of 2. Mr & Mrs Ransome have Serenlas Dream Maker and won MP, Melissa won PB with Gataj Struck By Love beating Yvaine Angel Silvestre at Hagneetat (Imp bel) who had also been in the previous class and she is shown by Steve Toogood.  Linda Gautrey won Junior with Chantique Pixie Ring, although she too was alone. PG had 6 entries, with one absent and was headed by Hanvale Patsy Stone handled by Simon Walder.  Limit, a class of 3, went to Jo Hodges and her blue lady, a regular winner with a long name (sorry Jo) and known at home as Zara and Open went to Jayne Llewellyn and husband Carl with their Avonfair Secret Love Letter to Salsina who had spent time away at her breeder’s kennel and also collecting a few RBCC wins whilst on holiday. There were 3 present in this class.
I was delighted to receive the following from Simon Walder, who writes:
“Thank you again firstly for the nice words in your breed notes about my first CC appointment last weekend. I have lived with and loved our breed for almost 25 years and so last week was very special to me, especially with my wife at my side.  A little bit of info for you on this weekend’s events….Yesterday, after a long week at work, while Hannah stayed home to mind the rest of the pack, Patsy and I took a trip to a pub on the Welsh border. This morning after an early morning coffee and a walk we headed to SWKA where I was thrilled she won her class (her fifth PG win in total) followed by the BCC.  After a few pieces of the smaller special green and white cardboard this year, this was her first ‘big one’! We are both very proud indeed.” Another string to Simon’s bow, good to see a post of the BCC on Live Streams by Simon, so I assume he had someone do this for him as he was actually in the ring at the time! – excellent for us all to see.
So, you gathered the BCC, her first went to Hanvale Patsy Stone (Hanvale Arthur Shelby at Damos ex Tamira’s Miracle Cornflake Girl for Hanvale) and she is one of Simon and Hannah’s litter, all named after famous people born in June 2023. The RBCC handled by Jayne Llewellyn was Avonfair Secret Love Letter to Salsina, who collected yet another RBCC to go with her previous CC and RCC wins. Bred by Michelle Mitchell, she is sired by Magical Moon of Lowlands Green Valley for Chantique out of Salsina Secret Love Song at Avonfair and could shortly claim her Ch title under the new RKC rules.
BOB went to Odile, who handled well in the group under Christina Chapman but without success, BPIB to Melissa and Gataj Time Will Tell, BVIB to Hannah Lyall.
I have not been told of any other wins, but did notice that Stefani Flower, Serenlas, managed a VHC and £2.00 prize money in the SWKA Puppy Stakes under Caroline Friend-Rees. If there are any other wins, do let me know and I am pleased to include even to promote the breed for all concerned. Also, Stefani would like to thank everyone who commented on the recent loss of her first ever Champion, Serenlas Obsession, who left just 5 days before her 12th birthday. Inca, as she was known at home went to live with some friends in Andover and ended her days being very loved and spoilt. Her show career included a 1st CC from Anne Smith at L&P in 2021, followed by her 2nd from husband Nick and her crown at Crufts in 2022 from Miranda Blake. Her lines live on through those Stefani has kept.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com