Thank you from the Taylor family
On behalf of the Taylor family, may I say how much we have appreciated the tributes posted on your website, the coverage in the Spring newsletter and the donations made in memory of my Mother – Joy Taylor - to both the Norfolk Terrier Club and the Air Ambulance fund.
We would also like to thank those of you who were able to join us at St Faith’s on 13th May to say goodbye to Mum and remember her achievements. We think she would have been delighted with the Norfolk Terrier guard of honour at the Church and very proud that the dogs were impeccably behaved throughout the service. It has also been marvellous to receive letters and cards from those of you who shared Mum’s love of the Norfolk.
We are so very grateful to Mum’s many friends who have helped her over the years, particularly in recent times - when she had had the worry of my brother’s care after his devastating car accident - and when her own health had not been good. Our especial thanks go to Mary Baldwin, who was kennel manager for Mum for nearly fifteen years. Even when things were physically extremely difficult for her, Mum was determined to keep her independence and she was breeding Norfolks to the end.
Those of you who knew my Mother, knew that her Norfolk Terriers were her life. It is wonderful for us to know that the Nanfan name will live on through you all as her legacy.
Jonnie Taylor |
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It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Joy Taylor in the early hours of 18th April 2006. She was an amazing woman, knowledgeable, articulate, forthright, always elegant, hospitable, with a world wide circle of friends who will all miss her enormously. She bore pain with great fortitude. Dogs were her life interest, Norfolk Terriers and a Min Pin or two in the kitchen. To her family we send our sympathy and condolences. Cherry Howard, |
Tributes to Joy Taylor
Dear NTC, It is with sadness that we have just found out about the death of Joy Taylor last year. In 1994 we bought 'Frankie' (Nanfan Citron) from Joy and he has been the centre of our lives for the past 13 years, although obviously not as sprightly as he once was. Every Christmas Joy would send us a card and enquire how Frankie was doing. We would of course reply and send a photo. She was genuinely delighted that dear old Frankie was doing so well for his age. I suppose we feared the worst when this Christmas for the first time since 1994 we did not receive a card from Joy. We will always remember her for providing us with Frankie who has been such an integral part of our family life. Richard, Sue, Rhys and Greg POWELL Monmouth
I met Mrs Joy Taylor first in April 2000. I had left from Italy just to
We first met Joy, having attended a Ladies Kennel Club Show in Birmingham, Richard Riley
Joy Taylor was Nanfan and Nanfan was Joy Taylor. Her death saddens me more than l can say. I remember seeing Joy many, many years ago when a much younger lad. I suppose in the days when Andrew Hunt showed her dogs for her at that time. Through Andrew l got to know her well and liked her a lot. In those days Dorothy Dorkins used to travel with us to shows and was showing Toy poodles at that time. she then showed and interest in Norfolk's and asked if l would introduce her to Joy. Of course l did and they got on famously and shortly afterwards she acquired Nanfan Nectarine and the start of the Lowmita Norfolk's. Then l was invited to handle her dogs and so began a great friendship which last many years. We became more than a client handler relationship, we became friends. She built up a great friendship with Michael Coads mother until she sadly a few years ago now. I loved my stays at Standhall Cottage, especially for the Three Cts Show when the dogs were in conjunction with the main show. Often Elizabeth would be there and have a picnic on the lawn outside. I have such wonderful memories of Joy and even now its hard to believe she is still not with us. She could be difficult, oh yes she could, but that was part of her. But she was a tough girl and in the middle of winter she would have no heating, or at least just an open fire but she didn't mind in the least. The dogs also were as tough as nails and those wonderfull heads she had will stick in my mind for ever. I could go on and on remembering Joy, she was very special to us. The funeral was a wonderful occasion and sure she would have approved. Especially the dogs who took part and were as good as gold. She is buried in that wonderful peaceful place in sight of Standhall Cottage and sure she will be keeping an eye on Elizabeth ! Geoff Corish
It is with great sadness we learn of Mrs Joy Taylor’s death. We have loved and enjoyed the pleasure of having 5 Nanfan’s over the past 40 years and ‘Bowler V’ (Nanfan Chiff-chaff) died at 10½ years only 2 weeks ago. There is a deep hole in our lives at present. As with all Nanfan’s he had a distinct character of his own whilst bearing the underlying influence of the fantastic line that Mrs Taylor developed. She was an amazing lady who cared so deeply about her dogs. When we first contacted her in 1965 we were subjected to a very thorough screening as to our ability to care for a Nanfan and the fact that we had two young children. Fortunately we passed her test but she kept in touch and we made two return visits to her kennels in the first year just to let her see that he was being loved and cared for. We remember Joy Taylor with grateful thanks for allowing us the privilege of having had a Nanfan as an valued member of the family for the past 41 years. Peter and Janet Roffey, Melton Mowbray.
How very sad I feel that such a marvellous lady has passed on from this world. My husband and I contacted Joy some 11 years ago hoping to be able to own a Norfolk Terrier. She immediately invited us and our spaniels to her lovely home. We all hit it off straight away resulting in us becoming the proud owner of "Grizzler". Joy always laughed at the name - derived from his grizzle coat, although I must say he has grown in to the name very well. I kept in contact with her meeting her at shows Christmas cards etc. I shall never forget the story she told us about hating the fact that the clocks changed every year and in fact one year she refused to change hers so was never on time for anything for a whole six months - did she care - not likely. We will remember her with huge affection and hope she is happy and contented wherever she is now. Our very sincere condolences to her family. Sue & Ian Downie (and of course Grizzler)
Dear fellows. It may sounds funny but I had never own a norfolk terrier in my life! I`m a terrier breeder and at home we mostly have scottish terriers and Norwich. Also, I never had the chance to meet Mrs Taylor when I went to England, even if we have a great common friend as Garry Mason. But since I started in dogs, I always was curious and crazy about reading and learning from other breeders and their work!I read everythingh I could, and later when I went to the US to improve my trimming skills, I saw for the first time one of the most beautiful dogs that I ever saw before: BIS.Am.Ch.Duke of Cooperplate at the groups rings in California showed by Bill Mc Fadden when it just start his career.(both of Duke Parents were bred in England by Mrs Taylor) Later I was lucky enough to work closely with Duke while I was learnign at Larry`s Cornelious in Ocala , Florida. I must confess he was one of my very favourite dogs ever!!His faces just catch my eye, and I wouldn`t forget that sweet expression wich was so characteristic on him. Curious about from where he got that lovely sweet face I start a track and I found it was one of the strenghs of the Nanfan bloodline, and every dog that I saw with Nanfan behind had that "Classic type of face and expression". Then, later I saw norfolks from Scandinavia, germany, USA, and the UK and all of them wich I was carazy about their lovely expressions had some Nanfan on their pedigrees, so it was easy for me recognize them by the classic Nanfan type, even if I wasn`t an expert of this breed . I follow Mrs Taylor career by books and magazines and I learned so much about the way she worked on her pedigrees, and her work was an inspiration to me. At my very first show in England (Darlington) while I was visiting, I went to watch the norfolks, and to see if I could meet Mrs Taylor around the ring.Sadly she wasn`t there, but the Best of Breed dog and CC´s winner was a dog sired by two Nanfan dogs, and I was delighted to had pick the same dog that the judge picked that day for BOB.That day Garry told me that Mrs.Taylor didn`t come to the shows that often due to her age. Later I came back to England to show my norwich dog at Cruft 2005, and as my schedule was so tight I wasn`t able to visit Garry and may be meet Joy as he promissed me once, to finnaly meet her. Now I feel very sorry to don`t ever have the time to meet a great Lady like she was.A World Wide Known tallented breeder like her who left her stamp on the breed, and wich I admired the most from the very end of the World where I am from. Her legacy and wisdom will survive through her dogs and the norfolks new generations that will come. I`m very sorry she is not with us anymore.And even more sorry for the empty space that she left on the Dog World and her close circle of friends. She was known at every corner of this wide world! and anybody who knows about terriers, should heard or know about the famous Mrs Joy Taylor and her Nanfan norfolks.She will be always on our hearts and her lifestyle would be always an example for the future generations of breeders. To me like many others she was an example to follow. The norfolk breed owes her something, as she gave so much to the Today`s norfolks! Mrs Taylor made the "Before " and "After" on this breed... Sincerly
I have read all the worthy tributes to this very great lady but I feel I have to express my gratitude for her kindness on the first of several black days. When my severely disabled late husband and I returned from the splendid NTC Millennium show to find our home flooded and completely unusable the first person on the phone to offer help was Joy. "Put Colin and the dogs in the car dear and come and stay for as long as you need" she said. The dogs included a three week old litter and she was aware of my husband's disability. The insurance stepped in and I did not need to accept the offer but I have never forgotten such exceptional kindness. There are few like Joy around now, she will be sorely missed. Dorothy Taylor
It was with a desolate heart that I heard of the death of Joy Taylor. I knew her from my early girlhood. She was an amazing life mentor to both me and my sister and was not only knowledgeable about Norfolks but also chihauhaus and luckily for me horses. (She generously lent me a saddle and didn’t say a word when I returned it in a rather sorry state.) Her good humour, independence and strength of mind made a deep impression on me and I happily tried to live up to her example. She dealt with the vicissitudes of her life with unfailing courage. She was always pleased to see young and impecunious callers but would never hesitate to tell you if you were in the way! As we grew older the welcome would extend into large and if you were a driver very dangerous gin and tonics. By chance I visited her just a few days before she died and gave her my families’ love. We will all miss her sorely and remember her with great affection. Nel Rann and Debbee Adamson
I was quite stunned when Garry Mason telephoned me to tell me that Joy had passed away. I had realised that she wasn't in the best of health as Garry had told me of his concerns when he visited Nanfan the previous weekend, but strangely Joy was one of those people who we expect to go on for ever. Andrew H. Brace
What will the Norfolks be without Joy and her Nanfans? Not only through "Tubby", one of my first imports 25 years ago, the Nanfans have strongly influenced my breeding programme.
Tubby (Ch. Cracknor Candidate) was sired by Ch Nanfan Sweetcorn and out of Nanfan Country Cousin and besides being my first "owner handled" Worldwinner he left a big mark on my Norfolks. He was the first but not the last one who brought the Nanfans in my lines. Later Ch. Yarrows Henley joined us, a son of Ch. Nanfan Caper and he sired so many super pups for us. From Finland came the influence of Ch. Nanfan Joystick to my Norfolks and so did it through a son of Nanfan Siskin in my very early years as a Norfolk breeder. In a lot of my Norfolks this Nanfan influence is quite obvious today, the deep red harsh coats and typical heads... I am grateful that our lives have touched and that I could learn from Joy. Dr. Frauke Hinsch
The German Norfolk Terrier breeders pay tribute to the memory of Joy Taylor. Even those of us who never met her knew her name and her Nanfan kennel. Her influence on our breed was unique and certainly not limited to her own country. We owe her a lot and will not forget her. Our sympathy and condolences go to her family. Heike Mark, Toenisvorst/Germany
I was so sadden to hear of this great lady's passing. Linda Lyons
Joy started me in Norfolks by letting me have Nanfan Nectarine who I made up to a champion. She then let me have a bitch pup who proved to be a super mum and produced lovely pups. Dorothy Dorkins and Family
We are immensely sorry to hear that Joy has passed away. A legend has left us! Love
Like so many of us I was saddened to hear of Joy Taylor’s death – to me she was an indomitable English country woman who lived for her dogs and family. I have many memories of her some funny, some wry but she was always gracious and giving of her extensive knowledge of the Norfolk Terrier. One of the many things I did admire was her consistent and carefully planned breeding of her dogs which was the Nanfan type over the years – to me their pedigrees were a classic example of good line breeding and something which I have aspired to follow – consequently I was delighted and stunned to receive a major award from her when she judged the NNTC specialty in 1991 – to a Black and tan no less! Watching some Nanfan grandkids whizzing round my kitchen floorat present I am truly delighted to have known one of the “Grand Dames” of the breed. Judith Felton USA
Nanfan Sharpshooter came to Australia in the 1970s and with that heralded the arrival of Norfolk Terriers here. My first Norfolk was sired by Shooter. The 1980s brought Nanfan Cheesecake and in the '90s Nanfan Cactus and Nanfan Chill Off arrived. By this time I had had the opportunity to meet Joy and stay at Standhall Cottage where I learned about breeding, grooming and judging Norfolks. Then Nanfan Calamus, better known as 'Chaucer', arrived. Chaucer has raised the profile of the Norfolk breed in this country. We were able to repay her by his becoming the first Norfolk Terrier in Australia to gain his Grand Championship. I am so pleased we were able to surprise her with the presentation at the 40th anniversary Norfolk Terrier Club ch show in 2004. Without Joy's assistance this would not have happened. She was my friend and mentor and one of the few who was prepared to send Norfolks to Australia. Her knowledge was immense. Her friendship had no restrictions. How do I remember her? Trying to push Dorothy Dorkins bogged down car out of the mud by lifting it by the window while Mary and I pushed from the front, and then dining in style at the Duke of York especially with the Sticky Chocolate Pudding just three weeks ago. It is hard to imagine that she is gone. BUT she isn't – I know that she is looking down from Norfolk heaven and saying "Liz, you cannot mate that bitch to that dog!". Liz Hindley (Jotruba) Australia
I am sorry to hear about passing of Joy Taylor. She will be missed and remembered by all involved in the the breeding of Norfolks for her dedication and hard work. Ingrid McLagan (Macsnest) South Africa
Might a newcomer to the breed (and a poodle person at that) be allowed to pay their small tribute to one of the all time greats in Norfolk Terriers. My one and only Norfolk Terrier is a daughter of Champion Nanfan Creole, (Korky was if not the last certainly one of the last of the many Nanfan Champions.) He was well into old age when he sired our girl. Her mum is a Cracknor so the foundation line on that side is very strongly Nanfan as well and we feel so priviledged to have a Norfolk from these lines. Such was the excellence and fame of the breeding that even our poodle friends knew about the Nanfan Norfolks telling us how fortunate we were that the new puppy was from that line. I met Joy Taylor at Builth Wells a few years ago when I was wandering round like a lost soul just before judging was due to start looking for Elisabeth Matell (who was at that time the only Norfolk Terrier person I knew.) By pure chance I asked Joy if she knew Elisabeth -(she did!) and Joy looked after me that day in Elisabeths absence as I watched much of the judging with her, I was even offered a drink and sandwich for my lunch. She was so kind and as I immediately twigged very knowledgable about the breed. Of course at the time I hadn't a clue who I was sitting with only realising later that I was with one of the top people in the breed. I have never forgotten her kindness that day. I am sure her knowledge and great abilities which served the breed so well for so long will be greatly missed. Many in the breed will have special memories of her and so much to be grateful for over the years, primarily of course the Nanfan Norfolks who are at the foundation of this wonderful breed. May she rest in peace and rise in glory surrounded by her beloved Norfolks. Lynn Ward (owner of the Ch Nanfan Creole daughter 'Poppy')
The best tribute everyone in the breed could pay to Joy now would be to plan their breeding programmes as carefully as she did. Gilean White (Vicbrita)
I was only introduced to Joy a few years ago by Andrew Brace at a Midland Counties Championship Show. In the short period of time I knew Joy, I soon became amazed at her wicked sense of humour and her sheer zest for life - she had more energy than many people half her age. Furthermore, Joy taught me far more about the Norfolk breed in a few years than most people would learn in a lifetime. Of course, the greatest honour of all was Joy's total trust in our friendship to such an extent that she allowed Annette and me to co-own and show some of her famous Nanfan Norfolk Terriers. Garry and Annette Mason (Glenhafod Norwich & Norfolk Terriers)
I first contacted Joy around the early 1980s, I had seen two delightful young Norfolks that she had sold to Phil Beeley. Prior to that I had seen some of her breeding in Sweden, and I had made up my mind that I was going to have a Norfolk and there was only one breeder that I wanted to buy one from. And so the wait for a Norfolk began. When we went to WELKS and Three Counties showing our Cavaliers we always visited but the wait continued, until on one visit there was a little bitch who had a heavily bandaged hind foot. I picked her up, she licked my face and I turned to Joy and said "This one's for me" to which she replied "Would you like her? But you can't possibly take her until the strapping comes off". I quickly replied that if she could take it off so could I. Our life with Norfolks had begun. Nanfan Corncracker, litter sister to Ch Corndodger and Ch Crackle, was our foundation bitch and, although Joy warned me that it would not be easy breeding Norfolks, we have stuck at it these last 20 years breeding the type that we and Joy are happy to live with. Joy took me under her wing, and the happy hours and weeks that I have spent at Standhall Cottage will remain precious memories. We have only ever bought one Norfolk, our first one, the other Nanfans, Ch Creole whom we co-owned and Chilli Bean, were given to us by Joy. We trusted one another, over the years Marilyn and I have had many Nanfan youngsters come to stay with us to be socialised, and we felt privileged that Joy trusted us with their safe keeping. We mated her last bitch to Ch Brymarden Charleston, and Joy confided in me that this may be her last litter, and that she wanted us to have a bitch from the litter. I never really believed that it would really be her last litter and that I would soon be getting the dreadful news that she had been taken into hospital and was not to return home again. For me and many more people around the world our inspiration has gone, our friend and mentor is no longer with us, but for as long as we can we will carry on breeding the type of Norfolk we are happy to live with. Joy was a true dog person through and through and free with her advice and knowledge, considerate and generous to a fault. Yes we consider ourselves fortunate to have had her as a friend. Bryan and Marilyn Claydon (Brymarden)
As the previous writers have stated, the Norfolks and the people loving and taking care of them has very much to thank Joy and her Nanfans of. Me and my family and the whole Finnish Norfolks are greatly thankful to our own "little big man" Int. CH Nanfan Joystick (descending from Joy's C- line, but got his name differing from that tradition to include Joy in it), son of Caper and the most important stud dog in Finland in Norfolks ever. But not only am I saddened for the miss that the Norfolks and the fanciers experienced with Joy's death, but also due to a loss of a dear friend. Thank you for all, Joy. Nan Salminen
Elisabeth has written, for Dog World, a truly inspirational account of Joy's life and times which I hope will be reprinted on the website, so I am going to remember Joy with some memories of visits to Standhall Cottage and of how she changed my life. It all began when I met Joy, through photography, in the 60s, when Heckle was the king and the Nanfan dynasty was in full swing - a glance at the Crufts BOB winners of those years bears this out. Of course to see Heckle and the others brought on an overwhelming desire to have a puppy and be part the Nanfan family - but it often seemed that kidnapping was going to be the only means of achieving this. But although I met gorgeous puppies in many other breeds I remained true to the Nanfan dream and after three years of waiting patiently ('Are there any puppies yet, Joy?' at every show or photography session) she said she would breed a special one for me. I think my lovely puppy, in 1973, was from the only Ninety x Snapshot litter. Our Kevin (Tjeps Red Lord Kenton of Cracknor) with his German, Swiss and Swedish ancestry goes back to this puppy's Nanfan lines and, in his looks and his ways, could be her son.
Standhall Cottage was a wonderful, fascinating and amazing place unlike any other. There would be trophies sent from abroad won by her dogs, that photograph of Crunch from Barbara Miller which Joy loved and the cradle full of Norfolk paperwork and memorabilia - the cottage was a treasure trove. But it was always freezing cold; usually the top of the stable door in the kitchen was open and always the window - 'to let the robin in', he would hop in and pick up crumbs. The open dishwasher would always be full of dogs' bowls, Joy was a stickler for cleanliness, with a Min Pin in there too licking out any tasty bits. On the ancient tiled floor there would often be a couple pens, sometimes with a heat lamp, with a special dog or puppy that needed her attention. But I am sure Joy's friends will agree that dramas happened at Standhall Cottage. Naughtily we could not help making 'the effluent in the street at Berrow' one of our catch phrases and I know the kennels were struck by lightning and flooded several times - if not always with effluent - and did the roof blow off once? It did not matter whether Joy had been up all night whelping a bitch, had been driving visitors from the US round the country or just flown in from judging, she was always welcoming and ready for a hard days photography, and with all the dogs looking immaculate. The longer coats in the photographs simply indicate that the style was different then; today's short coats would have been seen as over trimming I think. We would strive to show the true terrier spirit in the pictures; enemies were brought out and paraded meaningfully in front of the dog being photographed - usually to no avail, as happens with Norfolks, but occasionally with sensational results. Sometimes Ron and the cat were placed in the hedge to attract the dog, with instructions not to make a sound until we shouted 'now'. Once, when we were having tea after the last dog had been photographed, we remembered that Ron was still there waiting for the cry of 'now'! Joy loved her dogs to be hunters and sweet pictures were not her - although she did like Ron's pile of typical Nanfan puppies widely used on NTC merchandise. My first ever photographs of a Norfolk were of Heckle at the LKA where I had been commissioned to find some lesser known breeds for a magazine article. The shot Joy really approved of was the now well known one where I had caught a blink and he appears to be slitting his eyes, giving an almost mean expression. (I did actually open one eye slightly, by retouching, when Joy was not looking.) This is the picture that has been on the Norfolk Terrier Club Handbook covers, except for a few special editions, since at least 1978. How lucky we are to have known Joy, how much we have to thank her for and how very much we will miss her. Sally Willbie
A very sad loss to the Norfolk Terrier world - and terrier fanciers around the world - with the death of Joy Taylor, Nanfan, on April 18, 2006. - a friend from across the pond - Linda Wagner, Springfield, Virginia, USA on a 2003 visit - she'd only allow photos of herself if you were photographing her dogs.
With the death of Joy Taylor of the world famous Nanfan Norfolk Terriers an era has come to an end. For the last 50 years the closely bred Nanfans have shaped the breed stamping their distinctive type on their progeny not only in Britain with 39 Nanfan champions, but in the US, Scandinavia, Holland, Germany, Italy and Australia. Joy died suddenly in Gloucester hospital only three weeks before her 84th birthday. I am sure that all her hundreds of friends all over the world would say that to know Joy was not only to respect her but also to love her – and certainly never forget her. Elisabeth Matell |