LIONEL DIED at 85 years of age, all the more remarkable as he had heart problems since the 1940s, but despite health problems he led a remarkable and full life, and his career as an artist made him renowned in his own lifetime.

His paintings of horses were indeed magnificent and although a shy person, he was always willing to give help and advice. I well remember some years ago, a young art student that worked for me part-time to earn money to further his studies. He had heard of Lionel’s work and so I asked him over to dinner one evening along with Lionel. It was one of the most absorbing evenings I can remember. I am no artist, by any means, but it was fascinating to listen to an eager young artist with all modern technology at his disposal and Lionel, who had learned only one way, in the more formal disciplines of art. I think what shows the depth of the man, was that not only did he answer all the many questions put to him about his work and life, but he too asked many questions of our young guest about the life and work of a modern student.

He amazed us all by the way he embraced life to the full and of all the plans he had for the future, he was in his late 70s then and still made regular trips to Monte Carlo and had various painting commissions he wanted to do.

I first met Lionel in the 1960s when I owned and showed Min Pins. I lived in Hertfordshire then but used to make regular trips to Newmarket on my days off. He was a true dog man from a real livestock background who had a vast store of knowledge of dogs and horses. In my opinion, he was a leading authority on the Miniature Pinscher. He did so much in the early days of the breed, bringing in several good imports into the country.

What always fascinated me, as a trainer, was his remarkable rapport with his dogs. They would do anything for him, his showmanship in the ring was truly superb, he would carry the little dog into the ring, pop it on the floor on a loose lead and it would just show its little heart out. In fact, few could match him in those days. I am sure many will have better experiences to write regarding his other interests in miniature ponies and chickens but to me, he was a mentor and a very special person who will be a great loss to the world of dogs.

Our thoughts are with his sister at this sad time.

Tony Johnson

Mrs Barbara Greenway

IT IS with great sadness that I must report the death of Mrs Barbara Greenway on 4th February 2003. She had been ill for some time. She fought many battles with illness over the last few years in her own inimitable style, face on and don’t let it grind you down,
unfortunately this recent battle was against an adversary even Barbara, pocket battleship that she was, couldn’t defeat, writes Alan B Johnston (Oregill).

Together with her husband Phillip they created by far the most successful kennel of Lakeland Terriers to enter the ring over the last 20 years. Making their Rayfos prefix renowned throughout the world. They have bred and made up many Lakeland champions from their first Rayfos Cherokee to their most recent Amarinta By The By at Rayfos; in between there are far too many to mention by name here. They must have been the most successful husband and wife team ever, Phillip the showman, handling and presenting the dogs, and Barbara the brains behind the breeding and midwife of the kennel.

Barbara herself was a northern lass, hailing from Preston in Lancashire, she had a wonderful sense of humour and will be greatly missed by all around the Lakeland rings and far beyond, I will never forget her excitement when she rang me in May 98 to tell me that Phillip had just gone Best in show at SKC with Ch Rayfos Fire Medicine.

When Barbara judged she never fault judged - always judging the dogs on their virtues and her written critiques reflected this; you had to able to read between the lines to understand the placings, I remember my old mate Lennie Farran pulling her leg and saying “Barbara, I didn’t know we had so many wonderful Lakelands; that critique could have been put to music, I’m going to frame it and hang it on my lavatory wall.” Barbara found this highly amusing.

Barbara was a great dog woman; their kennel also produced top Boxers and Wire Fox Terriers. She fought for every ailing pup and loved her oldies in the house. We in Lakelands have lost one of our greatest assets and another store of irreplaceable knowledge is lost to us. I myself find it very hard to accept that I will never see or speak to her again, and my thoughts and those of all of us in Lakelands are with Phillip.

Dianna Merchant-Giles

DIANna, 60, was a vibrant personality and her outgoing character reflected upon whoever she was in conversation with, especially those who knew her well. She loved life and endeavoured to achieve success in every field that she had connections with, writes Terry Thorn.

Dianna possessed a fine operatic voice and in earlier days performed in a number of West End productions. She was also an accomplished artist, gaining many important commissions, including one for Pedigree Masterfoods when she painted the Crufts best in show, winning Basenji Ch Jethard Cidevant.

Brought up with dogs - her parents showed Wire Fox Terriers and Bobtails - Dianna entered the world of dog showing in her own right in the 1970s, with Salukis. She had many major successes, culminating with her win at Crufts where she took the Hound group in 1989 with her homebred Ch Shamal Khariz. She bred three Champions before health prevented her from handling such boisterous hounds, and she turned her attention to Papillons, where she also enjoyed much success, making up Champions for herself and handling for Pearl Peacock for more top honours.

Dianna, as well as awarding CCs to Salukis, was due to judge her first CC of CCs with Papillons at Bournemouth this year, and was very much looking forward to it.

Her untimely death with leave a void in the doggy ranks, and every sympathy goes to her husband Godfrey, and her two children, Gavin and Tara.