Many of the lots in a sale at Mellors & Kirk of Nottingham next week came from the home of Jayne Wilson Stringer. Mrs Stringer, who died earlier this year, was a well known judge and breeder of a succession of champion dogs, in particular the elegant and intelligent Basenji.

 

 

 

 

She acquired her first Basenji from Veronica Tudor-Williams in 1959 and quickly met with success. Her Basenjis were often awarded Best in Show and over a period of 45 years the Horsley Kennel’s many champions were especially successful all over the world. Mrs Stringer held many records in the breed and the achievements of one of her winning dogs were unequalled. During World War Two she served in the WAAF and worked as Secretary to Air Chief Marshal Sir John Steele (1877-1965) and subsequently as a Cypher officer. She later acquired the substantial Victorian gothic house in its landscaped grounds – which she renamed ‘Horsleys’ – at Theddlethorpe, near the Lincolnshire coast. She was predeceased by her second husband Commander Patrick Stringer RN, OBE, DFC. There were no surviving family members.