The West of England Border Collie Club held its first Championship Show Sunday 17th November at The Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon, North Somerset, writes Jane Porter. A total of 225 dogs made 272 entries

Judges were Mrs Karina Le Mare (dogs) Mrs Angela Gillespie (bitches) Miss Jane Cryer (junior handling) with Ms Jackie Bromwich (referee).

The day dawned cold but dry at least, but the atmosphere inside was warm and friendly with cheddar cheese and Somerset cider for all. The club shop was open selling all manner of Border Collie goodies and a wonderful raffle table which tempted many into buying tickets.

The dog judging commenced at 10.00am with bitches starting at 10.30. When the judges retired for lunch a very successful auction was held with two lovely items on offer, the first being an antiquarian book donated by Gwen Mogford entitled 'The Collie' by Hugh Dalziel, the second item a beautiful oil painting depicting, of course, a Border Collie with sheep painted by Ann Bowler.

The day's judging produced the following results: Dog CC Collier's CLAN ABBY NZ DOUG'S STORM AT BORDERBREEZE Res CC Green's SH CH TONKORY PALMERSTON AT FAYKEN Bitch CC Harris's SH CH MOBELLA WINTER GLORY Res CC Tunnicliff's LITTLETHORN XSARA BIS Harris's SH CH MOBELLA WINTER GLORY Res BIS Tunnicliff's LITTLETHORN XSARA BOS Collier's CLAN ABBY NZ DOUG'S STORM AT BORDERBREEZE Best Puppy in Show Large's WIZALAND SOUL SILHOUETTE

Junior Handling 6 - 11 Years Miss Alexandra Harding 12 - 16 Years Miss Victoria Carley.