19 June 2019 Breed Notes

There was a long journey ahead for many exhibitors making the journey to Border Union in Kelso. A spectacular setting when Mr Sunshine has his hat on but maybe like Malvern increment weather gives a completely different picture. The days prior to Toy Day I have seen from pictures the ground was a mud bath, exhibitors taking their caravans and motor homes going up for their annual holiday certainly needed their wellies packed. However the picture for the completion showing the breed judge Teresa Collins (Collness) with her BOB and DCC it was wall to wall sunshine, so that was really good news as the tents are perhaps not the most favourable in wet weather.

The principal breed winners for Border Union were as follows: BCC/ BOB Ken Fulton’s Milbu Warlock At Kenf (imp LVA). DCC Mandy and Callum Thornton’s Milbu Ciciobello At Shevid (ImpLVA). Congratulations to all of you, the breeder from the Milbu kennel must have been over the moon. BP Mary Whitehill’s Amicae Kiss And Tell a good win for the little one. Mary also bred the RDCC Amicae Badger owned by Mrs Wilson. Susan Lanson must have been thrilled to have been awarded the RBCC with her youngster Cantoverde Royal Chyna JW shCM. Congratulations to all the principal and class winners and I hope you all had a lovely day enjoying the sunshine. Unfortunately there is not much sunshine about at the moment, it needs bottled with the cap securely on.

Due to the wet weather many areas over the UK have the problem of flooding. To those of you that are experiencing this, my thoughts are with you during this troubling time. Come on sunshine, where are you!

An announcement has been made from the Kennel Club: At its meeting on 4 June 2019, the Kennel Club Board elected Mr Tony Allcock as Chairman for the forthcoming year and Dr Ian Gabriel replaces Mr Allcock as Vice Chairman.

The previous Chairman, Mr Steve Croxford, was thanked by the Board for his valuable contribution as Chairman since November 2018 and as Vice Chairman since 2015.

Tony Allcock MBE has been a member of the Kennel Club since 2002. He was elected to the Board in 2015 and became Vice Chairman in November 2018. He has bred, owned and exhibited over 25 UK Champion dogs in several Toy breeds under his Sleepyhollow kennel name. In his professional life, Mr Allcock is Chief Executive of Bowls England, the National Governing Body for Outdoor Bowls.

Dr Ian Gabriel has been a member of the Kennel Club since 1999 and has been on the Board since 2013. Ian is the third generation of his family involved in dogs with sole interest in Gaybryl Smooth Fox Terriers with many notable wins. Ian has judged for over 25 years, and is approved to award CCs in four terrier breeds including Smooth and Wire Fox Terriers. In his professional life Dr Ian Gabriel is a consultant haematologist, specialising in blood cancers and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and is the lead for haematological cancer at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. He has a strong interest in transplant directed therapy for HIV associated cancers and in HIV eradication strategies and is a member of the group, which demonstrated effective transplantation in HIV patients and more recently lead and coordinated the group achieving cure of HIV with transplantation.

Both the Chairman and Vice Chairman are aware of the importance of the need to achieve a unified and cohesive Kennel Club, serving all its Members and associates.

Neither the Chairman nor the Vice Chairman will accept further new breed championship show appointments for the duration of their tenure in office. However, they will honour those appointments where a contract with the society already exists. Neither will the Chairman nor the Vice Chairman exhibit at shows from 31 July 2019.

It is hoped that the Members will allow a period of constructive reflection by the Board to achieve their aim of a united and vibrant UK dog scene. The Board is conscious that they have a busy year ahead.

I am sure this will come very close to the heart for Toy exhibitors having a great respect for Tony and his well respected Sleepyhollow Kennel.

Huge congratulations to you both on your appointments, I am sure the Kennel Club’s future path with go from strength to strength.

The month of June continued on a magical trend for Tony with the news that he had been awarded the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2019 for Services to the Sport of Bowls (Administration).

Tony has been the Chief Executive of English Bowls since 2003, serving a membership currently standing at 110,000. He successfully implemented a national modernisation programme, resulting in uniting the sport by gender and the joining together of two long-established national sporting associations, incorporating them into Bowls England Limited to better serve the needs of the sport.

Many will remember Tony having true celebratory status whilst playing the sport of bowls. During his sporting career he was World Champion 15 times, what an achievement in both the canine world and bowls he has forged and yet stayed level headed and grounded, a true example of how it should be done. He was awarded the MBE in January 1989 for achievements whilst playing the sport. You deserve every minute of your success Tony and so many of us are honoured to know Mr Tony Allcock OBE. Congratulations.

Take care when travelling to the shows everyone, enjoy and have fun.

IRENE ROBB