Family life:  Married to Jerry for 38 years; two daughters, Jo and Toni, and two grandsons, Jo's boys, Pierre (7) and Jean-Luc (6).

Committee CV:  Club Member since 1956, but offering to sell raffle tickets in 1975 really
started it all: Social Committee 1978, Social Secretary 1979-86, Treasurer 1987-2004,
Vice-President 1993-2004, President from AGM 2004, Show Manager from AGM 2005.
Chris Bligh
President and Show Manager

Profile compiled: January 2006
Dogs currently at home:  Libby, a 13 year old Tibetan Terrier that we re-homed aged 5.
William and Fletcher, Miniature Schnauzers, 10 and 9 years old (these three are really
Jerry's.) Rumpole, Newfoundland, 7 years old - all mine!

Favourite breed:  Labradors, closely followed by Newfoundlands.

Beginning of show career:  Aged 11, with a Pekingese, Too-Loo of Ifield, under Mrs Thelma Gray. Over the years I won two trophies for junior handling. I have always loved dogs, and went to my first dog show at Candie Gardens as a small child. My first show dog was a Miniature Schnauzer in 1972, followed by a Labrador, my first Newfoundland in 1987, two Miniature Schnauzers and then my second Newfoundland in 1998.

Highlight of show career:  Best Junior in Show with Fletcher; B C Watson Memorial Trophy with Rumpole; qualifying him for Crufts; in 1999 placing third out of 45 in Dog World/Beta Puppy Stakes at Paignton and Reserve out of 36 at National Working/Pastoral Breeds three days later.

What I enjoy about the Club: Helping to run a successful and happy Club and seeing all enjoying it.

Memorable dog related trips:  Working with Newfoundlands who were training in a lake outside Paris— being rescued by them was a fantastic experience and seeing young puppies doing what comes naturally to them will always remain in my mind. Also travelling to Norway last March to watch a close friend judge Newfoundlands and Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Other interests:  Reading, Gardening. Listening to music, but not modern. Favourite instrument — piano, then church organ, and I love orchestras. I like Mantovani, Melachrino, James Last.