The Beginning

As Founder Secretary of the Southern West Highland White Terrier club the then Chairman John Fox asked me to write a a concise history of the Club

The original idea stemmed from two or three of us and in no time had turned into a groundswell of opinion which came about mainly due to there being a need to improve on the rather limited opportunities for showing and exchange of breed information , whilst taking into account the very significant and increasing numbers of enthusiast within the Southern Counties

it was not an easy task, it was the second attempt having put behind us one disheartening official objection, we were nevertheless primed and there was also great deal of hard work,growing funds,masses of good will,meetings and the formation of a committee to give impetus. And at some course the rules were formulated

Therefore it was on the November 18 Th. 1979 a Kennel Club Registration Form was completed by and posted by me, it consisted of Andrew Thomson’s signature as Founder Chairman, he had joined us for this second push, and my own signature as Founder Secretary , along with twenty-five Founder Members . Also most importantly the signatures of the Chairman and the Secretary of the North of Ireland West Highland White Club , our sponsoring society. The reason for the formation of a club (which we knew off by heart ) was required and most importantly the title applied for was also included.

On January 16^th 1980 I received a letter from Rosemary Smart the Manager of the Show Department (who at all times was most helpful) informing us that the Southern West Highland White Terrier Club had been added to the Kennel Club register which meant that we had full status. Dated February 1^st I received a list from the Treasurer Jean Johnson giving details of 132 paid up Founder Members and from then on the Club developed and the membership grew by leaps and bounds.

Starting from scratch there was so much work to be done, therefore the original Officers and Committee were chosen from Founder Members and for their diverse talents and their area of residence, the Club was to function mainly from the Reading area. The first Officers and Committee were as follows. The President Muriel Coy (Cedarfell) who was one of the original instigators and who worked assiduously from day one, Chairman Andrew Thomson (Ashgate), Treasurer Jean Johnson (Wistmill) and Secretary Marjorie Dickinson (Kirkgordon), The Committee Members: Vivienne Cook (Grierson), Sheila Morgan (Ballacoar), Maureen Murphy (Whitebriar), Brenda Strivens (Angilgate), Margaret Webster (Kilbrannon ), Hettie Wysocki (Sursumcorda), Bill Duckett (Foreston), John Hodsoll (Furzeleigh), Roy Hooper (Yorsar), Barry Joel, Bill Parish (Cleator) and Adair Torbet (Newtonglen ). A couple who did not wish to commit themselves to committee work, but who nevertheless were indispensable in the early days were Frank and Thelma Lees (Carillyon), They offered their lounge for Committee meetings, searched for suitable venues to hold our shows and fixed road signs to them.

Marjorie Dickinson

Copyright Marjorie Dickinson 29^th August

As President , I am indebted to Marjorie for taking the time to compile this article for the Southern West Highland White Terrier Club. John Fox

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