| Remembering friends
|
Issue: 18/12/2020
The year 2020 will be remembered for many reasons, but the loss of some of the most popular people in our world of dogs was perhaps one of the saddest. Here we remember some of them.
Robert Greaves
Much loved and respected, Robert's passing caused an outpouring of grief worldwide. Chairman of Midland Counties, mentor and friend to so many, Robert's untimely death left holes in many lives.
Glynis Dowson
Glynis was best described as 'fun', and along with husband Colin, showed her beloved Aussies all over the country. She was also one of the first volunteers for helpers with the Have a Go Shows and a valued member of the team.
Roy Wilson
Roy Wilson of the well known Amalek ETTs sadly passed away on 31st July following a stroke. He was 85. Roy left his wife Mary, son and daughter-in-law and two grandsons.
Martin Freeman
Martin died in July at home after a short spell in hospital. Martin was approved for BIS, the Utility group, 22 breeds in that group, one working breed and the Toy group of which he was approved for 13 breeds. Martin was involved with Driffield Championship Dog show for over forty years, as Show Manager and Secretary for over thirty five years.
Franky Loeckx
Franky Loeckx, of the WoodbullFarm / Woodbull Future Bullmastiff kennel, died in September. He had spent a lifetime with his beloved breed, and enjoyed much success and became the first overseas resident to make up a UK Bullmastiff Champion, Multi Ch Xylan of the Woodbullfarm.
Violet Slade
Violet died peacefully in may after a long and brave battle with cancer. In 1965 she founded Potterspride with five GSDs, introducing Rottweilers in the early 70s, making up many Champions. Judging a Working group in Russia in the 90s, Violet first saw the Russian Black Terrier and in 1997 two RBT puppies arrived into the UK from Moscow, the first dog and bitch to come direct from Russia. The rest is history.
Ken Bounden
Ken passed away in January, the former Bedlington breed note correspondent for OUR DOGS, Ken was well known throughout the terrier world, and was well known for his books on the breed.
Di Johnson
Di Johnson of the Dicarl Great Danes passed away after a brief spell in hospital. Di and husband Carl were initially well known for their Boxers and Mastiffs. She was a very familiar sight around the shows, where she could be seen from the first classes to the very end of BIS, and was one of the characters of the world of dogs.
Dr Göran Bodegård
The dog world was shocked to hear of the death of well-known Swedish judge Dr Göran Bodegård on March 22. His unexpected death in his home in central Stockholm came as a great shock to his many friends all over the world. Göran started judging in 1966 and was thus the longest serving championship show judge in Sweden. He also judged on a regular basis in the UK including several appointments at Crufts.
Marion Spavin
Marion's passing, although not unexpected, was devastating for all who knew her, a true doyenne. A brilliant dog breeder, a talented judge, an amazing raconteur and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her name was synonymous with top quality Beagles and the Dialynne kennel contributed so much to the breed worldwide.
Gill Tully
Gill died in March after a brief illness. A former Sergeant with the British Army, Gill also worked for the Veterinary Unit and trained as a dog handler. Her Highclare kennels bred/owned over 200 CC winners.
Les Aspin
The world of dogs lost Les at the beginning of the year. He entered the world of dogs as a teenager in the late 1940s when he got his first Staffordshire Bull Terrier and joined the North West SBTC around the same time. Staffords were his main love and over a long career he bred six UK champions. Within the UK he was in high demand as a BIS and variety judge and while abroad his popularity took him all corners of the globe.
Pat Dellar
Pat Dellar died shortly before her 93rd birthday. In her early days Pat worked as a kennel maid at the famous Ormandy kennel before moving on to Boxers (and eventually Bulldogs) and her own hugely successful Merriveen kennel. The Bulldog breed world-wide mourned the loss of a 'truly inspiring dog breeder'.
Norman Davis
Norman would be considered by many to be the name in Bulldogs. Along with wife Pat, he was a friend and mentor to many in the breed and his Ocobo kennels were well known throughout the world. Along with his long time friend, Glynn Payne, Norman had a great interest in many other breeds mainly Mastiffs, Neapolitan Mastiffs and Bull Terriers. Norman was also a huge Arsenal fan.
Brenda Banbury
Brenda Banbury was a huge name in the world of show dogs. A hugely well-known international all-rounder judge, Brenda was passed by The Kennel Club and the FCI to judge all Groups and Best in Show. In 2005 she judged the Working Group at Crufts and Best in Show at Crufts in 2006.
Peggy Grayson
Peggy passed away peacefully at the age of 100 years and eight months. Peggy had a lifetime knowledge of dogs freely shared and enjoyed the same in the world of horses. As a respected judge she was sought from all corners of the world to judge the many breeds she enjoyed. She also appeared on television several times, particularly at Crufts where they were keen to hear her opinion on many of the dogs.
Muriel Harwood
Poodles lost a hugely influential lady in the indomitable. The Minarets kennel was established in 1960 by Muriel and her husband Fred. They were later joined by daughter Carol who had taken up the handling of several of the dogs and later granddaughter Melanie. The kennel continues to go from strength to strength.
Rob Sansom
The dog community was left in shock over the death of much loved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder and judge Robert Sansom (Byermoor). Rob had been reported as missing and extensive searches by police, mountain rescue and friends finally located his body in woods near to his home. His partner, Ernie Paterson, confirmed that sadly Rob had taken his own life.
Pam Wadsworth
Pam died tragically on December 2. Described as kindness personified, she and husband Chris bred the famous litter containing Sh Ch Doganodogs Desperate Dan and Sh Ch Doganodogs Dizzie Dame, who she made up and then gave to her great friend Frank Kane who continued to win CCs into double figures with her.
Fred Ellingford
Fred passed away on December 2. A stalwart of the Northern show scene, he was known in particular for his Weimaraners, PBGV and Tibetan Spaniel. He was Group Steward at WELKS, Boston, East of England (and maybe others), and was a regular steward on the show scene.
Les Brabban
The passing of Les (Cambremer), saw the world of dogs lose yet another senior and much respected dog person. Well known for his and wife Joyce's Labradors. Leslie bred generation after generation of champions, he was also an international judge whose opinion was sought around the globe.
Chris Seidler
Ever popular Chris was a unique character. Undoubtedly Poodles were her first love and Chris was one of very few people who judged all three sizes of Poodles at Crufts. She was also very well known for her lunches and dinner parties.
Terry Burgess
Terry's death in December marked the end of an era. Along with his late partner, Dominic Browne, Terry was well known for his House of Dobrugh kennels, which produced the top winning bitch Ch Sharex Burning Love for Dobrugh.
