A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEVON AND EXMOOR SHEEPDOG SOCIETY

 

The Society was formed in 1964 as the Devon Sheepdog Society at an inaugural meeting near Tiverton.

There were 14 founder members.Sadly Ken Watson the last of our founder members still remaining with the Society died in the Autumn of 2010. A very well attended memorial service held at Postbridge bade farewell to a much liked and respected member of our Society. However the various cups and trophies record a great deal of the history of the membership in the past. The names of handlers and dogs engraved on these trophies serves as a roll call from days gone by.

We have been unable to trace any record of just when it became the Devon and Exmoor Sheepdog Society but certainly from an early stage some of the Society’s main Trials have been held up in the Exmoor area and two trials are held there to this day.

 

In common with most Societies there have been ups and downs over the years. The biggest  “down” being when a long gone Treasurer borrowed all the funds and forgot to pay them back! The membership rallied to the flag and a big jumble sale was held in Exeter. Many of the farmer’s wives who were accustomed to the polite affairs held in their village halls were much amazed at the hurly burley of a sale in the big city. We almost needed bouncers on the doors and it was a most wonderful example of country mice come to town.

The “ups” thankfully have been more numerous. The National Sheepdog Trials have been held in the South West three times in all although the first occasion was prior to the founding of the Society. There was a gap of forty years before the event returned and was held at Powderham Castle.

 

Most recently the National was run in North Devon in conjunction with a Country Fayre with all the proceeds going to The North Devon Hospice. The staggering sum of £82,000 was raised over the three days of the event and the National was deemed to have been one of the best ever.

 

Current membership is in the region of 200 and the Society continues to grow and to promote all aspects of Sheepdog handling in the area. Thankfully as some of the members begin to show signs of wear and tear new faces appear and new hands volunteer to carry the baton forward.

 

Long may the Society flourish and the membership continue to enjoy the sport of Sheepdog Trialling whether as competitors or spectators.

 

 

 

 

 Mr Ken Watson with Sweep

 

 =======================================================

 

 

DEVON AND EXMOOR SHEEP DOG SOCIETY

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

 

CHAIRMAN                                     MR BOB WATSON

 

VICE CHAIRMAN                            MRS JENNY DENISON-SMITH

 

SECRETARY                                   MRS WENDY WATSON

 

TREASURER                                   MRS KIM DART

 

PUBLICITY SECRETARY                 MRS JILL COBBLEDICK

 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY            MRS AERON JERMYN

 

TRIALS SECRETARY                      MRS TRACEY PEAT

 

TROPHIES SECRETARY                 MRS HILARY JONES

 

OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS    MR RODERICK HAYES

                                                     MR CHRIS ROE

                                                     MRS PENNY ROE

                                                     MR PETER SYMONS

                                                     MRS JULIE TUCKER

                                                     MR WALTER PASSMORE

                                           

ALL MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE MAY BE CONTACTED THROUGH THE WEBSITE ON THE 'CONTACT' PAGE