Pictured Jean Grant

Jean Grant recalls the information of how the the Humberside Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club was formed....

Most exhibitors in the Humberside area were complaining about the distance to club shows. The Northern club was too far north, mainly holding their shows in North Yorkshire and Cumbria. The only other club nearest to us was the Eastern and their show was held in the Norfolk area.  So a petition was taken round to see how much support we would get if it was decided that another club was needed. We got over 200 signatures!

The next problem was how to go about it. So a letter was sent off to the the kennel club asking for their help and advice. This was 1984. An inaugural meeting was held at Outwood near Wakefield.  The hall was full to bursting, both for and against a new club.   Ideas were tossed around, but at the end of the day it was put to a vote and the vote went overwhelmingly that yes, another club was needed.

Officers were voted for.

Bill Patterson as Chairman, Jean Grant as Secretary and Frank Farnhill as Treasurer.

A committee of twelve was then voted for, these being: Mrs Pat Lee, Liz Farnhill, Dorrie Paterson, Gill Baker, Elaine Hall, Mrs Alan Forward, Brian Randall, Mike Pestereff and Stuart Spratt.

Next, the club's name. Two choices were given by the kennel club. the Central Cavalier club, as the clubs area was given as running across the centre of England, or as the new county was being formed, to be called after it ie The Humberside C.K.C.S Club (Note there is now no such area).  We now had to get some funds together.

An exemption show was held at Baslow, also a BBQ. Eventually, on the 30th May 1985 we were registered with the Kennel Club as the Humberside Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club. It had taken a little over a year for us to be accepted as an official Club.

After a lot of hard work and effort, we had arrived! We felt all the hard work and effort was worth while when we eventually got Championships status in 1989.  A lot of help and advice was given by Mr and Mrs Booth (Bowstones) especially around the rules some of which are still in our rule book today. 

Our 1st open show was held at the Newton Memorial Hall, Chapeltown, Sheffield on the 1st December 1985. We had an entry of 174 dogs making 295 entries for a 26 class show.

Pictured at our first show are Left to Right - Bitch judge Joan Philips, Paul Follows with Best Bitch Ellacroft Milanaise, Dog judge Len Irons, Barbara Stanley with Best in Show Astraddle Innue 'n' Does, Referee Mr C Longden, Chairman Bill Patterson, Secretary Jean Grant and Caroline Ackroyd with Best Puppy Stonepit Mystic Wizard

Left committee taken at the 1st show Right Catalogue from the 1st show (click on the image)