The Lancashire Heeler has lost a true friend with the passing of Mrs Edith Dugen.

A past Treasurer of the Lancashire Heeler Club, the office she held for eight years, she then went on to serve on the committee for a further year.

In 1994 she also took on the running of the club stall, involved with the buying of the goods and running the stall single handed when Dorothy Malins retired.

Knitted garments were made for the stall and the raffle, one of them only just finished for the last club show on Feb 17th!

Edith embroidered LH head studies which were much sought after, and the money raised from these went to the club rescue.

Edith was diagnosed with leukaemia three years ago, this did not deter her, and only nine days before her passing she was at the club show, manning the stall, and looking forward to Crufts. She had just recently taken on the task of putting the club archives in order; all this in her 80th year.

The club would have like to have recognised her work with a Honorary life membership, but she would not accept it, saying she hadn’t earned it.

On a personal note I first met Edith at Preston & district open show, in 1986, with her first Heeler Polly Flinders. Edith showed her with success and bred just one litter. When Polly died aged 16, I entrusted my beloved Buttons to her. So like Polly in looks and temperament, it filled a gaping hole.

I have travelled many miles with Edith, to committee meetings and shows, with never a cross word. An excellent map reader and conversationalist, it was always a pleasure to share the journey.

A retired school teacher and still on the board of governers, her mind was always very clear: ‘Anything you needed to know - ask Edith.’

Her work for the club had no ulterior motive; everything she did was for the Heeler. The club has lost a loyal and hard working member, and our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.

Her funeral took place in Pendlebury Manchester on March 4th, with donations to Lancashire Heeler Club Rescue.

Enid Lord, Lancashire Heeler Club Breed Rescue