The 75th Anniversary Weekend
An amazing weekend on 22nd and 23rd September when the Norwich and Norfolk Terrier Clubs joined together to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the recognition of the Drop Ear and Prick Ear Norwich Terriers, in both red and black & tan. Members and friends of both Clubs turned up from Friday to book into the Royal Court Hotel near Coventry, a dog-friendly hotel where dogs were allowed to stay in the bedrooms.
It was a splendid sight to see teams of dogs trooping through the foyer and congregating outside on the lawns for exercise. It was very special to welcome visitors from all over the world, some of whom had brought their dogs with them to exhibit.
A huge amount of planning had gone into the events – The Norfolk Terrier Club held their championship show judged by Mr David Saltmarsh on the Saturday, and Norwich Terrier Club on Sunday, judged by Mrs Liz Cartledge. The hotel had another function in The Britannia Suite the night before so the special carpets, wicket fencing, compost for the flowers and a pallet of dog food for prizes were stored in a trailer outside, all ready to be assembled at 7am by the work party. But horrors, during the night this was stolen, with the lock smashed. The show had to go on, and everyone rallied round, plastic matting to cover the hotel carpet was magically found from a kind Labrador breeder, and chairs outlined the ring.
David Saltmarsh had an almost record entry of dogs and bitches to judge, and to great applause he gave the Bitch CC and Best In Show to a newcomer to showing, Jackie Phillips with a young bitch she bought as a puppy from her breeder, Jane Devereux, VICHEA PICK AND MIX, a black & tan from the Junior Class. Only 13 months old, she is by Ch Jaeva For Petes Sake – Vichea Piquet Player. This was Jackie’s very first CC. In complete contrast the Dog CC and Reserve Best In Show went to a very experienced visitor from the USA, handled by Peter Green, but owned by Pam Beale, Stephanie Ingram and Elisabeth Matell, in AM CH CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION, a son of the famed Ch/Am Ch Cracknor Cause Celebre (Coco) sired by Am Ch Red Cherubim’s Summer Star. The Reserve CC went to the leading English winner this year, CH JAEVA FOR PETES SAKE, handled and bred by Martin Phillips, Jackie’s brother, but owned by their mother, Mrs Beatrice Phillips, Andrew Gullick and Tan Nagrecha. The Bitch RCC went to the 2nd in the Junior Class, Cathy Thompson-Morgan’s young champion CH BELLEVILLE SWEETHEART. Best Puppy went to her BELLEVILLE ANOTHER ANGEL. A moving part of the whole show was when Rita Mitchell’s 13 and a half year old CH RICHELL CLARET was awarded Best Veteran – people were clapping him from the moment he stepped into the ring, still putting on a great show – he is in the breeding of both CC winners.
David Saltmarsh was brilliant in his timing and the show finished promptly at 5.00pm, giving time for the staff of the hotel to transform the room back into a banqueting hall for the special dinner at 8.15pm, with drinks beforehand in the foyer
We are so grateful for all the very generous sponsorship from so many people that has been donated to this amazing weekend to make it all such a success, and to the hard work of the Sub-committee led by Ruth Corkhill, Lesley Crawley, Allenby Stevenson, Elisabeth Matell and other members of both Clubs. Details of the 1st to 3rd prizewinners can be found in Show Results 07 and those of the Norwich Show on their website.
Our thanks for the smooth running of the show are due to the Show Manager, Barry Day, and the Stewards, Mr Peter Baxter, Mr Preston Haffenden and Miss Avis Haffenden, and the Collecting Ring stewards, Mrs Sally Brown and Mrs Nan Chadwick.
Jane writes ‘A big thank you to Cherry Stones for the help she gave me at the 75th Anniversary Championship Show, and for all the lovely specials prizes that were very generously donated. Also for the donations, help, sponsorship, club stand and hard work that everyone put in to making it an enjoyable day for all. Last but not least the Judge David Saltmarsh (Pipridges) and the Show Manager Barry Day and Stewards. Congratulations to Best in Show winner Jackie Phillips with Vichea Pick and Mix and Jane Devereux her breeder’.
At the beginning of the Norwich Terrier Show on Sunday Susann Björkfäll, of the Guestling Norfolks in Sweden, thanked the two host clubs with these kind words -
‘On behalf of the overseas visitors I would like to say thank you to all who made this celebration weekend such a success and such a nice memory for all of us who, deep in our hearts, treasure these wonderful little terriers.
I was at the Golden Jubilee Show in 1982, 101 Norfolks were entered which was remarkable. Now it is 170! When will that ever happen again?
We had an absolutely wonderful day yesterday and a marvellous evening and I am sure this day will be really special too.
Thank you all!’
Following the show the two Clubs enjoyed a celebration dinner.
Our thanks go to Ed Morgan for these photographs:
