REPORTS FROM EARLY BRITISH CAT SHOWS 1949 -

1949 NOTTS. AND DERBY CAT CLUB SHOW

NOTTINGHAM CAT SHOW Nottingham Evening Post, 3rd January 1949
Best long-haired cat in the Notts, and Derbyshire Cat Club championship show, held at Victoria Baths, Nottingham, to-day, was Mrs. D. Herod’s “Carreg Comfort,” a male, blue-eyed white, bred by Miss K. Yorke, of St. Alban’s. Following up was a female longhaired cat, “Merely Triona,” owned by Mrs. E. Winwood, of Malmesbury, Wilts., and bred by Mesdames Broxton and Robinson, of Cirencester.

CAT SHOW IN NOTTM Nottingham Journal, 4th January 1949
Despite the fact that it was the Notts and Derby. Cat Club that was responsible for the fourth championship show, open to exhibitors all over the country, at the Victoria Baths, Nottingham, yesterday, there were comparatively few local entries, and quite a large proportion came from far afield. Ribbons were presented by Mr. C. Yeates, chairman of the Governing Council of Cat Fanciers, instead of Mrs. Tommy Lawton, who was unable to be present owing to indisposition, to Mr. J. H. A. Martin (Helpringham, Lincolnshire) for Southway Rascal, the best cat in the show, and the best longhaired kitten in the show; to Mrs. D. Herod (Lichfield), for Carreg Comfort, the best longhaired cat; to Mrs. M. Bridgford (Macclesfield) for Rivoli Robin, the best short-haired cat; to Major H. Murrell (Dorking), for Proud Mardarin, the best short-haired kitten; to Mrs. E. Winwood (Malmesbury), for Merely Triona, the best female Chinchilla cat; and to Mrs. T- Williams (Mansfield) for Clumber Brownie, the best neuter cat.

The judges were Mr. C. Yeates, Mrs. M. Brunton, Mrs. £. Hart, Miss E. Langston, Miss L. Campbell-Fraser, Mrs. J. Thompson, Miss K. Wilson and Miss K. Yorke, and Mrs. Iris Hancox was honorary show secretary and manager. It was the first time that Mrs. Williams, of Mansfield, had ever entered a cat in a show and as well as carrying off an award for the best neuter cat. Clumber Brownie also won three specials, for the best Siamese neuter, for the Siamese in best condition, and for the best in any variety of shorthaired cat.

[NOTTS AND DERBY CAT CLUB SHOW] PRIZE PERSIANS Chelmsford Chronicle, 7th January 1949
At the Nottingham Champion Cat Show on Monday. Mrs. E. Brine of Stanley Cottage, Wick Estate, gained a championship and other cups with her blue Persian cats.

[NOTTS AND DERBY CAT CLUB SHOW] CAT-BREEDER’S NOTTINGHAM AWARDS Lichfield Mercury, 7th January 1949
At Notts, and Derby Cat Club championship show, held at Victoria Baths, Nottingham, on Monday, Mrs. D. Herod, Clevelands, Muckley Corner, was successful in obtaining a third challenge certificate with her white, blue-eyed male cat, “Carreg Comfort.” This makes the cat a full champion. “Carreg Comfort” was also judged the best long-haired cat in the show. Mrs. Herod’s cream female cat, “'Carreg Carol," was also awarded her second challenge certificate. Very rarely does one breeder obtain two challenge certificates at one show. The total number of cats exhibited was 175, and the total value was several thousand pounds. Prize cats are a source of dollar income, as many are exported to U.SA..

[NOTTS AND DERBY CAT CLUB SHOW] SHOW SUCCESS Boston Guardian, 12th January 1949
(Helpringham) Exhibiting at the Derby Cat Club’s New Year show, Mr. J.H.R. Martin secured some of the chief awards. His blue kitten, Southway Rascal, was adjudged the best animal in the show and placed first in the long-haired kitten class, while a blue male cat, Southway Crusader, was awarded the championship, which Mr. Martin thus secured for the third time.

1949 LANCASHIRE AND NORTH WESTERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB SHOW

[LANCASHIRE AND NORTH-WEST COUNTIES CAT CLUB SHOW] Manchester Evening News, 13th January 1949
Gerry Lee, who plays Dick Whittington’s cay in the Manchester Palace pantomime, will be taking something of a busman’s holiday on Saturday when he goes to he Onward Hall to judge entries in the cat show organised by the Lancashire and North-west Counties Cat Club. All the 90 cats on show are pedigree animals ranging from English short-haired varieties to the aristocratic Siamese. They will presumably stop purring if Gerry Lee turns up in costume as a five-foot tall cat!

[LANCASHIRE AND NORTH-WEST COUNTIES CAT CLUB SHOW] PUSS PSYCHE SCOWLED Manchester Evening News, 15th January 1949
Cats worth £1,000 (sentimental value 100 times as much) tucked in their paws on the Floor 3 of the Onward Hall, Deansgate, Manchester, today. In cage 82, Psyche, 14lb., with tiny copper eyes, and a scowling face, the heaviest cat in the show, scorned the camera. But in cage 57, an aristocratic Siamese, Sapphire of Sabrina, wanted everyone to photograph his race-horse neck, big ears, and dazzling coat. American buyers have offered 50 guineas to Mrs. E. M. Lancashire, for her prize-winning “Sapphire.”

[LANCASHIRE AND NORTH WESTERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB] PRIZE-WINNING SIAMESE CATS. SCOTFORTH WOMAN’S SUCCESSFUL HOBBY Lancaster Guardian, 21st January 1949
Pursuing a rare hobby is Mrs. I. Lord, Bank, Scotforth, who breeds and shows, with much success, Siamese cats. Her latest successes were gained at the Show in Manchester, Saturday, of the Lancashire and North Western Counties Cat Club, where she carried off the cup for the best Siamese kitten the show, with two first prizes and a special for the kitten with the bluest eye. “Shrimp" (or “Sir Timothy Shrimp” to give him his correct title) earned the prizes for his owner. Mrs. Lord says he talks and remarks “yes” and “no" distinctly. In fact, the B.B.C. are hoping to make a broadcast with "Shrimp" and Mrs. Lord’s 13-year-old cat, “Ki Su.” who in her younger days added to the collection of show prizes. She, too, gives vocal expression to her feelings in a most articulate manner. In 1938 she took three firsts, three specials, and the breeders’ cup at the show, organised by the same club in Manchester. "Sonie,” the mother of “Shrimp,” should have been a competitor last Saturday, but injury to her leg prevented her from doing so.

It was by accident that Mrs. Lord began to interest herself in this particular breed of the feline species. Having lost her pet dog. a friend offered her a cat and since then she has bred Siamese cats, which are in homes all over the country. She is proud of the pedigree of “Kl Su” (who once won a prize as the cat with the most oriental eyes) indicating that her forebears three generations back were bred by the King of Siam. This year Mrs. Lord hopes to compete in the Siamese Cat Show in London.

1949 SOUTHERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB (SHEPHERD'S BUSH) CAT SHOW

1949 CHESHIRE SHOW

CHESHIRE SHOW Cheshire Observer, 11th June 1949
Cats and mice were housed in the same marquee, but there were no casualties. The best cat in the show was a beautiful animal in the British short-hair class, owned by Mrs M H Bridgford, of Macclesfield. Exhibits entered by Mrs m E Bickers, Heswall, won first prizes for any colour, long hair, male adult, and for neuter, any colour long or short hair. Miss K Yorke was the judge.
[25 cats entered, no results printed on this occasion, but the cat show remained a regular fixture of this show]

1949 KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB SHOW

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] PRIZES FOR ALLEY CATS ON TUESDAY Belfast Telegraph, 27th July 1949
The Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club will hold their annual show at Porchester Hall, Bayswater, on Tuesday. Over 168 thoroughbred cats and kittens and many alley cats will be on show from 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Well-known authoress. Miss Rachel Ferguson will present the prizes in the alley and non-pedigree cat section. There will be over 100 money prizes and Miss Ferguson has offered a silver cup for the winning cat.

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] JOSHUA, ON THE TILES, MISSES THE BIG SHOW Kensington Post, 29th July 1949
Mysterious, oddly shaped boxes and baskets arriving by car, taxi and bus, from all parts of the country and hustled in Porchester Hall, Bayswater, on Monday night contained the cream of Britain’s cat-hood. Each box in most cases with a protesting occupant, added to the noise of mewing in the large hall until a really feline chorus marked the opening of yet another Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club show on Tuesday afternoon. One hundred and sixty three thoroughbred cats, many from as far afield as Wales and the Isle of Wight – and twenty hearth rug or alley cats faced the judges during the day.

Show manager, Miss Kit Wilson, was to have exhibited her own black and white cat, Joshua Squash, which she first found as a kitten starving with three others in a store. But on Tuesday morning, Joshua had breakfast and then went on the tiles. He didn’t return until well after the show was over.

Judged the finest all round cat in the show, was a red tabby kitten with a big name – Vectensian Rio Tinto, belonging to Miss Tucker of Banstead, Surrey. Its mistress received a silver cup from Miss Rachael Ferguson, the authoress and president of the club and about 14 special prizes. Cause of much attention and first prize winners in the household cats section was a complete family of Siamese cats on show for the first time. The family, Minty Chaing and three kittens, are owned by Westminster City Councillor, D. Grafton, of Strutton Gardens, S.W.1. Second prize in this class went to the oldest cat in the show – Gerry, aged 17, with one tooth missing, owned by Miss E. Sinclair of Westminster. Two North Kensington cats, Korditoo and Guinevere, owned by Mr. G.W. Clarke, of Golbourne Road, attracted a great deal of attention and a prize.

Miss Joan Cook, of South End, W.8. won the prize for the best British neuter cat in the show with Jock, a silver tabby. Mrs. Rudd of Sinclaire Road, West Kensington, won a second and third with her two blue-eyed white kittens. Mrs. Bentley of Argyll Road, W.8. won a money prize with a British Blue cat, Mockbridge Mistral. A litter of Abyssinian cats won several prizes for Mrs. Anderson of Brunswick Gardens, Kensington Church Street.

There were several cat fanciers at the show. Some came all the way from Denmark. Representatives of the Australian and South African Cat Clubs were there and two kittens were sold to America.

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] “JOSHUA SQUASH” WAS OUT THE TILES SO HE MISSED THE KENSINGTON CAT SHOW Kensington News and West London Times, 29th July 1949
Although some came from as far as North Wales, many cats not turn up for the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club’s Show held at Porchester Hall on Tuesday. High temperatures and enticingly warm nights kept them out. Even the cat belonging to Club Secretary Kit Wilson spent the night on the tiles and was unobtainable for the show. Miss Wilson, who lives in South End, has four cats, but Joshua Squash,” a magpie cat was entered for the show. Joshua Squash nearly lost all his nine lives as a kitten. Last Easter he was shut starving in an empty house in Kensington Court, but managed to get out. His mother and two other kittens were later found dead inside. He was entered for the Any Variety Kitten Class and the Any Variety Neuter Class and is described as “born about January 1949: all particulars unknown.”

Kensington was well represented in the Household Pets Class. Mr G W Clarke of Golborne Road entered two – “Konditoo,” 6 years 3 months tabby who was lying on a Union Jack cushion, and “Guinevere” a white 2-and-a-half years old cat. Mrs G L Taylor of Wynnstay Gardens entered her ginger cat “Mar-Me-Doe” who is 2 years and months. Miss Brown of Westbourne Grove entered “Tashie” who is 3 years old.

First prize-winners of a Silver Cup given by Miss Rachel Ferguson, authoress and President of the Clubs, for the best entry in the Domestic Show, were a family of Siamese Cats. Mother “Minty,” father “Chaing” and three babies belonging to Mrs D. M. Grafton of Westminster, wife of a city Councillor. Altogether the family won six prizes. A 17 years old cat “Gerry,” belonging to Miss E. Sinclair of Westminster won second prize. Black-and-White Gerry was wearing a pale blue ribbon round his neck and a bell. He also won a prize of 10s as oldest cat in the whole show.

Judging was by Miss Catherine Marley, authoress of “Your Cat and Mine.” The organiser of the Domestic Show, Miss D. Culverwell, said that about six entries did not arrive due to illness caused by the hot weather. But there were prizes galore for those present. During the show, thirty people gave prizes so that each domestic cat finished up with three or four prizes. Miss Roma Ferguson, sister of the President, offered a shield for the best black short haired kitten. The shield was in memory of her black cat John who lived to 20 years.

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] BANSTEAD AND BURGH HEATH FANCIERS’ LONDON SUCCESSES Surrey Mirror, 5th August 1949
Members of the Banstead and Burgh Heath Fur and Feather Association did extremely well with their exhibits at the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club show, the principal kitten show of the year, with entries from all over the United Kingdom. The prize for the Best Kitten in the show was won by Miss Patricia Tucker, of Banstead, with her Short Haired Red Tabby Kitten “Vectensian Rio-Tinto," which, in addition, secured six first prizes and 14 special awards, including the Kingfisher Cup and The Maturin Cup. Mrs. Aitken, of Banstead, won the Ferguson Shield for the best black shorthaired kitten and the first prize in black, white or cream kittens. Mrs. Vize, of Banstead, secured several awards with long-haired blue Persian kittens. Most of these kittens will be shown at the Banstead and Burgh Heath Fur and Feather Association show at Banstead on August 20th.

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] TOO HOT FOR THE CATS Kensington News and West London Times, 5th August 1949
Sir, - The Local Kitten and Neuter Cat Club seem to have been unfortunate inasmuch that the day chosen for their show was one of the hottest of the year. Consequently I believe one third of the expected exhibitors very wisely and kindly (I think) chose to leave their pussies undisturbed in comfort at home. As owner of a Blue L.H. nothing would tempt me to enter for a Summer Show and I feel that if staged around January to March when their coats are at their best this Club would be well rewarded by increased number of entrants and a more even representation of “Felis Domestica.” Yours, etc, Gladys Jackson, Porchester Square, W.2.

1949 BEESTON CARNIVAL CAT SHOW

[BEESTON CARNIVAL] South Notts Echo, 26th March 1949
Many new attractions have been provisionally fixed, and on the opening day (Saturday, July 30) the arrangements will include an open Cat Show. This is being organised by Mrs. Brice-Webb, and already promises of entry have been received from over a wide field.

[BEESTON CARNIVAL] EXHIBITION OF RARE CATS South Notts Echo, 7th May 1949
Mrs. Brice-Webb, who is organising a Cat Show, said that the event had the support of the National Cat Society, which had given two prizes and whose secretary had agreed to act as one of the judges. A promise had also been received that two Burmese cats, which had only recently arrived in this country, would be shown.

[BEESTON CARNIVAL] COMPETITION FOR CATS South Notts Echo, 28th May 1949
A new venture would be a Cat Show, and in connection with this Miss Brice-Webb reported that the National Cat Club, the oldest club of its kind in the world, would be assisting in the arrangements, and would also give two prizes.

BEESTON CARNIVAL SUCCESS Nottingham Journal, 1st August 1949
CAT SHOW AWARDS
Mrs. M. E. Baston, of West Bridgford, won the “Best In Show” Cup with her female blue kitten West Bridge Eve.
The best blue adult male was won by Mrs. D Brice-Webb. of Bramcote. with her champion cat Oxley's Smasher, which has won several national awards.
Blue male kitten: Miss S. J. Stevenson, of Sheffield, with Herris Nicholson.
Best cream kitten: Mrs. C. Glover. of Stoke-on- Trent, with Caroleena Christie.
Best Siamese adult female: Mrs. M. Puttick. of West Bridgford, with Sherwood Thai-Zenie.
Best black Siamese kitten: Mrs. D. Nicholas, of Macclesfield, with Ryecroft Punch.
Best household pet: Mrs. E L. Lakin, of West Bridgford, with Tibbs.
Best neuter: Mrs. L. Butt, Derby, with Siamese cat, Doneraile Chang.

[BEESTON CARNIVAL] ARISTOCATS Nottingham Evening Post, 2nd August 1949
Tibbs the tabby went to Beeston on Saturday to meet the elite of the cat world. He rubbed shoulders with such feline phenomena as Caroleena Christie, the long-haired, blue Persian kitten from Stoke-on-Trent; Herries Nicholas and Sweetbriar Barnaby, two more blue Persians from Sheffield; Ryecroft Punch, the Siamese from Macclesfield and Doneraile Chang, from Derby. He also met an acquaintance from West Bridgford, Siamese Sherwood Thai-Zeine. But they both went home from Beeston Carnival Cat Show with a prize. Superb in her own class, Sherwood Thai-Zeine could not beat Tibbs in his –for the best household pet.

1949 YORKSHIRE CAT SHOW - MIXENDEN CHILDREN’S GALA

[YORKSHIRE CAT CLUB SHOW] MIXENDEN CHILDREN’S GALA Halifax Evening Courier, 8th August 1949
Judges in the livestock show were Miss E. Wentworth-Fitzwilliam cats [. . .]
Yorkshire Cat Club show.
Longhaired male: 1. Mrs. K. Carbert (York); 2. Mrs. E. Slater (York).
Long-haired female: 1. J. W. Proud (Bradford); 2. Mrs. Slater; 3, Miss E. Rabbitts, York.
Longhaired kitten: 1. Mrs. E. Slater.
Short-haired: 1 and 2. Mrs. K. Carbert.
Short-haired kitten: 1. R. Pedley (Ovenden Wood); 2 and 3. J. W. Proud.
A.V. breeders: 1. J. W. Proud: 2. R. Pedley.
Challenge: 1 and 3. Mrs. Carbert; 2. J. W. Proud.
Nidderdale Trophy for best female: J. W. Proud.

1949 BINGLEY SHOW

[BINGLEY SHOW] Shipley Times and Express, 24th August 1949
[. . .] the cats, a never-failing source of admiration. This year entries among the [cats] had more than doubled. (134 entries) (Local winners:)
Long-haired A.O.C. male, adult – 2, Mrs. White (Cottingley).
Siamese kitten, under nine months – 1, Mrs. Whyte-Watson, Cottingley Grange, new Close, Shipley.
A.V. household pet, any age – 1, Mrs White.
Yorkshire County Cat Club, open challenge, male or female, any variety – 3, Mrs. Whyte-Watson.

1949 SANDY SHOW

6,000 ENTRIES AT SANDY SHOW Northampton Mercury, 26th August 1949
The 70th Sandy Show, which opened yesterday, had a record 6,462 entries [ . . .] 112 cats.
[1947 – 100; 1948 – 276; 1949 – 377 entries.]

[SANDY SHOW] Biggleswade Chronicle, 26th August 1949
The Championship Show of the Council of Cat Fancy met with a wonderful success, there being 112 cats and 377 entries – an increase of 101 over last year.
Long-hair red, cream, blue-cream, tortoise or tortoise and white, male or female – Miss F. Clarke (Graveley). [it only gave results that were available at the time the paper went to press.]

[SANDY SHOW] BRIDGFORD OWNER’S SUCCESS Nottingham Evening Post, 27th August 1949
Mrs W F Bradley, or 20 Holme-road, West Bridgford, and her cat, Oxley’s Blue Poppy, which was awarded the best blue female adult, was awarded the champion challenge certificate, two second prizes and a silver cup at Sandy Show, Beds., this week.

[SANDY SHOW] PRIZE CAT Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette, 2nd September 1949
“Gathorne Georgianna,” blue-cream female, belonging to Mrs Elsie Chappell, 2 High-road, Cowley Peachy, has won honours at Sandy Show: 1st in her own class and six other awards, including the Sandy special, the Society’s gold medal certificate and cash prize. Another of her cats, “Gathorne Glenister,” was best in the show in 1947 at Kensington.

1949 SOUTH-WESTERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB, TORQUAY CAT SHOW

[SOUTH-WESTERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB] Western Morning News, 5th April 1949
The South-Western Counties Cat Club, at a meeting at Exeter, agreed to hold a Cat Show in Torquay in September. The membership subscription was at 7s. 8d., without entrance fee.

SOUTH-WESTERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 2nd September 1949
South-Western Counties Cat Club All Cat Show to be held at Pengelly Hall, Torquay, on 28th September. 43 classes – 60 specials – for pedigree stock and household pet. Popular judges – Schedules now ready from Miss Cathcart, Dunstone Park, Paignton. Phone 5453. Entries close 11th September.

SOUTH-WESTERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB CAT SHOW Torquay Times, and South Devon Advertiser, 23rd September 1949
Cat Show on Wed., 28th Sept., at Pengelly Hall, Torwood Street, Torquay, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Do not miss the opportunity of seeing this fine collection of Cats and Kittens. A FEAST OF FELINE SPLENDOUR.

TORQUAY CAT SHOW Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 24th September 1949
Arrangements are complete for the South-Western Counties Cat Club’s show at the Pengelly Hall, Torquay, on Wednesday. Entries closed at 286, and over 100 cats and kittens will face the judges – Mrs. Sampson of Sidmouth and Mr. Stirling-Webb of London. Siamese cats at the moment are enjoying great popularity and there will be on display many of the various varieties – original seal points, the newer blue points and one representative the very latest recognised variety – the chocolate point. The show will be opened by the club’s president, Mrs. Michelmore, or Chudleigh.

CAT CLUB STAGES TORQUAY SHOW Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 28th September 1949
Mrs. Harold Michelmore, of Chudleigh, President of the South-Western Counties Cat Club, to-day opened the club’s first post-war show at the Pengelly Hall, Torquay. There were about 300 entries and 89 separate exhibits. Siamese entries were in the majority and the classes for long-haired cats were strong. There are 13 exhibits in the household pets class. In addition to Devon entries there are cats from Cornwall, Bristol, Taunton and Dulverton. Officials included; Prebendary R. L. Collins chairman; Miss F. J. Carthcart show secretary; Miss S. Bate, show manager. The prize winners will be published to-morrow.

300 ENTRIES IN TORBAY CAT SHOW Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 29th September 1949
More than 500 people paid admission to the South Western Counties Cat Club Show at Torquay yesterday, the first organised by the club since 939, and for the first time in Torquay. There were 300 entries in nearly 40 classes, the largest classes being for Siamese cats.

A 15-months-old Siamese cat, Slades Cross Sonah, was adjudged the best of 91 cats and kittens from Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. Its owner, Mr M.J. Taylor, of Bradford-on-Tone, Taunton, received the Cates Cup for the best Siamese adult, the Longham Shield for the best Siamese, and the Siamese Cat Club Trophy for the best Siamese in the show. The Corenden Cup for the best exhibit in the show went to a long-haired kitten, Trenton John Willie, owned by Mrs C.M. Mitchell, of Higher Heathfield, East Allington. This entry also won the Barley Hill Cip for the best kitten in the show.

The judges were Mrs D. Sampson, Sidbury; Mr B. Stirling-Webb, Richmond (Surrey), and Miss A.F. Grundy, Paignton. Results:-

Long-haired, adults, blue - 1, H. Hooper, Plymouth; 2, Mrs. Woodall, Torquay; 3, Rev. R. Collins, Exeter.
Cream and blue cream—1, Mrs. D. Brown, Cheddar; 2, Mrs. Woodall; 3, Mrs. Andre Classe, Starcross.
Any colour - 1, H. Hooper; 2, Mrs. Woodall; 3, Mrs. Andre Classe.
Kittens, 3-9 months, blue —1. Mrs. Mitchell; 2 and 3, Mrs. D. Brown.
Kittens, cream and blue cream - 1 and 2, Mr. and Mrs. Bubb, Sandford, near Bristol.
Kittens, A.O.C.—1. Miss O’Grady Haly, Paignton: 2, Miss Cathcart, Paignton; 3, Miss O’Grady Haly.
Kittens, A.C. —1. Mrs. Mitchell; 2 and 3. Mr. and Mrs. Bubb.
Short-haired, adults, A.V.—1, Mrs. V. Fuller Dulverton; 2, Miss Thomas, Bude; 3, Mrs. E. Fisher, Northam.
Siamese [seal point] adults, seal point, male- 1, Mrs. Fuller; 2, Miss Thomas: 3. Mrs. M. Kirkpatrick. Kingskerswell.
Siamese [seal point], female - 1, Mrs. M. J. Taylor; 2, Mrs. Olver, Paignton: 3, Miss E. M. McKenzie, Coombe St. Nicholas.
Blue point, male —1, Miss Thomas.
Blue point, female - 1, Mrs. E. Fisher: 2, Miss Thomas.
Chocolate point, male or female - 1, Mrs. E. Fisher.
Kittens, seal point. 3-6 months - 1, Mrs. Taylor; 2, Miss McKenzie; 3, Mrs. Taylor.
Kittens, seal point, 6-9 months - 1, Miss McKenzie; 2, Mrs. R. Cookson, Torquay: 3, Mrs. M. Pritchard. Holsworthy.
A.V. - 1, Miss McKenzie; 2, Mrs. R. Cookson; 3, Mrs. Mayne, Calstock.
Neuters - 1, Mrs. Woodall; 2, Mrs, Rostron, Exmouth; 3, Mrs. Coleridge, Taunton.
MISCELLANEOUS
Long-haired breeders - 1, Mrs. D. Brown; 2 and 3, Mrs. and Mrs. Bubb.
Short-hair - 1, Miss Thomas; 2 and 3, Miss McKenzie.
Long-hair novice -1, Mrs. Mitchell; 2. H. Hooper; 3, Mrs Woodall.
Short-hair - 1, Mrs. Taylor; 2, Mrs. Fuller; 3, Miss Thomas.
Long or short-hair brace - 1, Mr. and Mrs. Bubb; 2, Mrs. Brown; 3, Mrs. Taylor.
Long or short-hair litter—1, Mrs. Kelsey- Jones, Uplyme; Mrs. E. Fisher; 3, Mrs. Dyer, Slapton.
Long or shorthair kindergarten - 1, and 3, Mrs. Dyer; 2, Mrs. Kelsey-Jones.
Radius, A.V., adults —1, H. Hooper; 2, Mrs. Woodall; 3. Mrs. Andre Classe.
Radius, kittens - 1, Mrs. Mitchell; 2, Miss Cathcart; 3, Mrs. Dyer.
Visitors, A.V. - 1, Mrs. D. Brown; 2, Mr. and Mrs. Bubb; 3, Mrs. Fuller.
South-Western Counties’ Cat Club, A.V. - 1, Mrs. D. Brown; 2, H. Hooper; 3, Mrs. Fuller.
South-Western Counties’ Cat Club, A.V., kitten – 1, and 3, Mr. and Mrs. Bubb; 2, Miss McKenzie.
Siamese Cat Club, seal point—1, and Miss McKenzie: 2, Mrs Kirkpatrick.
Siamese Cat Club, seal point novice - 1, Mrs. Taylor; 2, Mrs E. Fisher; 3, Mrs. Fuller.
Siamese Cat Society of the British Empire—1, 2 and 3, Mrs. Pritchard.
Southern Counties’ Cat Club – 1 and 3. Mrs. E. Fisher: 2 Miss Thomas.
Household pets - 1, Miss Thomas, Brixham; 2, Mrs. Coleridge; 3, S. H. Dobson, Torquay.

KITTEN CHAMPION IN SOUTH-WEST SHOW Western Morning News, 29th September 1949
A long-haired kitten, Trenton John Willie, owned by Mrs. C. M. Mitchell, of Higher Heathfield, East Allington, won the Corendon Cup for the best exhibit at the South-Western Counties' Cat Club show at Torquay yesterday and the Barley Hill Cup for the best kitten. Other winners included H. Hooper, Plymouth, and Mrs. Dyer, Slapton.

[SOUTH-WESTERN COUNTIES' CAT SHOW] NEVER A “MIAOW” WAS HEARD AS THE JUDGE WALKED AROUND Torquay Times, and South Devon Advertiser, 30th September 1949
South Western Counties Cat Club choose Torquay for their first post-war show. It was a case of "no dogs allowed' in the Pengelly Hall on Wednesday. The South Western Counties' Cat Club, holding its first annual show since the war, had 92 feline beauties inside. The exhibits seemed happy enough. From cats with such names as Sunka Jacko Beigeboy, Fanifold Effervescence and Mopey Dinck Jabethany, there came never a "miaow" as the judges–Mr. B. A. Stirling-Webb (Richmond, Surrey), hon treasurer of the Siamese Cat Club, and Mrs. D. A. Sampson( Sidmouth)–looked for evenness of colour, good eyes, short ears, broad heads and general "cobbiness" (compactness) in the Persians, and for long, sinuous bodies, long whip tails (i.e. tapering to the end), pointed ears and bright blue eyes in the Siamese. Besides the house pets, these were the only types of cat on show.

Torquay was chosen as the venue for the show because at Exeter, where it was formerly held, there is now a lack of suitable halls and Torquay was considered the most easily accessible alternative. Also, said a committee member, because cat-lovers seem to be in the majority here. The entries, he thought, were very good, considering the time of year, for now the longhairs have not yet developed their coats to the full extent, though those entered had had good coats and well-formed bodies. The only real disappointment was in the household pets class - only six were on show. "You'd have thought people would have had enough pride In their animal to put it in," he said.

Trenton John Willie, shown by Mrs. C. M. Mitchell, of East Allington, took the prize for best exhibit after winning the best kitten trophy. The best cat was Slades Cross Sonah, owned by Mrs. A. Taylor. of Taunton, whose Mopey Dinck Jabeano was runner-up in the best kitten contest. Owleycombe Violet, exhibited by Mrs. D. Brown, of Cheddar, Somerset, was runner-up to Slades Cross Sonah. Winner of third prize in the household pets class, and a number of others, was Fluffy, owned by 16-year-old Anthony Dobson, a Torquay Art School student, of Sunningdale, Millbrook Park Road, Chelston. Mrs. A. M. Woodall, of 2 Devonshire Chalet, St. Mark's Road, won a first in the neuter class with her Eiranne Soni Boi and a second with Lakeside Posy, while Deebank Mollie went home with three seconds and two thirds. Mrs. R. Cookson's Ting-A-Ling, from 63 Newton Road. finished up with two second prizes.

BEST CAT THE SOUTH-WEST - A SIAMESE FROM NEAR TAUNTON Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser, 1st October 1949
A 15-month-old Siamese cat, Slades Cross Sonah, was adjudged the best of 91 cats and kittens from Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset, entered for the South-western Cat Club Show at Torquay, on Wednesday. Its owner, Mrs. M. J. Taylor, of Bradford-on-Tone, Taunton, received the cup for the Siamese adult, the Longham shield lor the best female Siamese, and the Siamese Cat Club trophy for the best Siamese in the show. The Corenden cup for the best exhibit in the show went to a long-haired kitten, Trenton John Willie, owned by Mrs C.M. Mitchell, of East Allington.

CAT SHOW WINNER Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 1st October 1949
Mrs. D. Hartley, of Brixham, won the first prize for “household pets” at the South-Western Counties Cat Club Show at Torquay.

THE CAT SHOW Torquay Times, and South Devon Advertiser, 7th October 1949
Sir. – If 500 paid the 2/- entrance fee (at last week's Southern Western Counties' Cat Club Show at the Pengelly Hall) surely a larger and more airy hall should have been used. I took an old lady, nearly 80, and If we could not have escaped Into the air the result might have been serious. Next year, please, let's have a larger hall! - C.P.C., Torquay.

THE CAT SHOW Torquay Times, and South Devon Advertiser, 14th October 1949
Sir, - Apropos C.P.C.'s letter in your columns last week, may I ask where a larger hall suitable for a cat show is to be found in Torquay? If C.P.C. knows of one we would be glad to have particulars. Many halls ban livestock shows though willing to let for other events. Also might I point out that all such shows are a gamble–no show can foresee what its "gate" is going to be and we were lucky to attract the 600 to 700 people who turned up. At Exeter, where we held our pre-war shows, 200 was about our average and we were both surprised and gratified at the popularity of our Torquay venture. There were plenty of avenues of escape, such as emergency exits (both ends), cloak and ante rooms, and even the Museum itself (all accessible from the Pengelly Hall), and as far as one could ascertain exhibitors, exhibits and sightseers all seemed perfectly happy. The Judges expressed the opinion that the hall was eminently suitable for the purpose, and C.P.C.'s is the first adverse criticism that I have heard. – J.F. Cathcart, Hon. Secretary, South Western Counties Cat Club.

1949 SIAMESE CAT CLUB SHOW

[SIAMESE CAT CLUB SHOW] SIAM’S CHAMPION Manchester Evening News, 14th October 1949
With five first prizes, three special prizes, and three silver cups to his credit, Royette Remus, a magnificent cream and black Siamese cat owned by Mrs. Mona smith, of Barnfield Crescent, Ashton-on-Mersey, has come home a champion from the Siamese Cat Club Show in London. The show, like Cruft’s Dog Show, is attended only by the finest animals in Britain. Remus, already champion of the recent Eccles Show, won the title of Premier Neuter Siamese Cat of Great Britain, and the approbation of Mr. Compton Mackenzie, the author, who is president of the Siamese Cat Club. The grandson of a famous Siamese champion, Oriental Silky Boy, Remus is two years and six months old, slim, aristocratic, vain, and intelligent. “He will go for walks, hide bones under the carpet, and retrieves like a dog,” said Mrs Smith.

[SIAMESE CAT CLUB SHOW] CHAMPION SIAMESE Banbury Guardian, 20th October 1949
At the Siamese Cat Show held in London on Thursday week, Mrs. L. Brummitt, of Bloxham Road, [Banbury,] won first prize and a cup with her litter of blue pointed kittens. The dam “We Adora,” won two firsts and two special prizes.

[SIAMESE CAT CLUB SHOW] NJINSKY IS BRITAIN’S NO. 1 SIAMESE PUSS Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, 21st October 1949
Nijinsky is a very important animal. Handsome, too, with the bluest of blue eyes, and the envy of every cat in the country. Despite the fact that he lives at "Little Foxes,” Bayley's Hill, and despite his name, Njinsky is Siamese. In fact he is number one Siamese puss in the land. His master, Mr. Richard Warner, took him to the Siamese Cat Club Show and promptly took first prize in the kitten class, then, not satisfied, went on to win first award In the “best exhibit" class, open to all comers. When Sevenoaks Chronicle photographer celled at “Little Foxes,” Nijinsky,” poked a regal head round his tiny hut door, then, apparently satisfied that the apparatus was worth posing before stalked gracefully out and allowed himself to be photographed. It was no novelty either, because at the show, Njinsky was the most photographed cat in Britain. Mr. Warner bought him when he was eight weeks old. Njinsky was the smallest kitten in the litter and the ugliest. He had “Dumbo” sized ears, but Mrs. Warner liked him.

After the show, Mr. Warner, who Is a well known London actor, rushed off to the Duchess Theatre, where he took part in the opening night of "Gooseberry Fool.” "Nijinsky” waited indignantly in his basket in the dressing room till the first night celebrations were all over. Mr. Werner has been asked several times to sell his blue-eyed pet - whose real name Is Clonlost Yo-Yo - to America, but he won’t part. Nijinsky’s too valuable, and hopes to be the Daddy of lots of very valuable blue-eyed British babies.

[SIAMESE CAT CLUB SHOW] THE KITTENS WITH THE BEAUTIFUL EYES Middlesex County Times, 22nd October 1949
Two litters of Siamese kittens entered by Mrs K. Dunks 152 Rydal-crescent Perivale in the Siamese Champion Cat Show at Lime Grove Hall last week won first and second prizes. Six and seven weeks-old, they scored on beautiful eyes, colour, length of tail and uniformity of size. Mrs Dunks also won a special award for the best litter in the show.

1949 MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT CLUB SHOW

[MIDLANDS’ CAT CLUB] CATS COME UP TO SCRATCH IN SHOW Evening Despatch, 4th March 1949
“When are we going to have a show?” ask the cats in the section of one of the Lyon Corner Cartoons reproduced here. This cartoon appeared in the Evening Despatch on Saturday, 12 February, the second day of the National Dog Show, held at Bingley Hall. Today a telephone call to the Evening Despatch answered the cats’ query.

Mr. Stanley Herod, of Cleveland, Muckley Corner, Lichfield, working with Mr. and Mrs. W. Lamb, of Twylands, Spring Hill, Halesowen, made all the preliminary arrangements to revive the Midlands’ Cat Club, and a meeting is to be held at 100, Lionel-street, Birmingham at 2 p.m. on 12 March. The club was formed at Wolverhampton in 1901 with Lady Marcus Beresford as president and the late Mr. George Cadbury as one of the vice-presidents. The first show was held at the Prince of Wales assembly rooms, Broad-street, Birmingham, on 2 and 3, December, 1902, when there were 259 exhibits. The journal of the cat world (“Our Cats”) said of this show; “Birmingham is noted for doing things well, whether it is a torchlight procession for Mr. Chamberlain, or a cat show, and certainly Birmingham did the cat show well last week.”

That was in 1902. The next cat show to be held in Birmingham was in 1911 – it was the last. It was held at the Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston, and there were 191 exhibits. There have been no cat shows in Birmingham since. Mr. Herod’s ambition is to re-open the club which closed down in 1939, and hold an annual cat show in Birmingham. The championship status of the club has been maintained during the war, so the club can be revived from where it left off. Mr. Herod hopes to hold the first Birmingham post-war cat show in September. There will be not prize difficulties for the club still has 19 silver cups.

[MIDLANDS’ CAT CLUB] PUSS MAY PULL OFF PRIZES Birmingham Daily Gazette, 5th March 1949
If Mr. Stanley Herod, of Muckley Corner, Staffordshire, gets his way, the belles of Birmingham's cat world will be trimming their whiskers and curling their tails in six months' time. Whereas dog shows have been frequent in the Midlands, the last time the charms of our Tabbies [moggies] and Persians were displayed on the benches was in 1911–and that was Cat Show No. 2 in the history of Birmingham. In 1902 feline-loving Midlanders founded the Cat Club at Wolverhampton and the first show (259 exhibits) was held in the Prince of Wales Assembly Rooms, Broad-street. Birmingham. The club prospered until 1939, although only two shows were held in 37 years. It closed down altogether in 1939 and now Mr. Herod wants to revive it. A meeting of cat-lovers will be held at 100, Lionel-street, Birmingham, at 2 p.m. on 12 March, to discuss the prospect of Birmingham's first post-war cat show. Prizes present no difficulty - there are 19 handsome trophies ready for the show and once the date has been fixed, word will round the Midland cat-world and Puss will come to town....

[MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT CLUB] NO DUSTBIN DIET FOR HER Birmingham Daily Gazette, 14th March 1949
While the average cat is content with a saucer of milk and any scraps it can scrounge, prize-winning Blue Persian Thiepval Elf spurns a dustbin diet. Three square meals a day of fish, horsemeat, and even eggs is the lot of aristocrats like this nine-month-old cat. Her owner, Mrs. Brice-Webb, well - known Nottingham breeder, says that Thiepval Elf would turn up her nose if "any old scraps were thrown to her." Mrs. Brice-Webb was among fanciers from all parts of the Midlands who met in Birmingham on Saturday to discuss the revival of the Midland Counties Cat Club after a lapse of nearly ten years. Mr. S. Herod was elected chairman. Members hope to hold a show this year but are finding it difficult to rent a suitable hall.

[MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT CLUB] THE CAT SHOW RETURNS Birmingham Daily Gazette, 6th October 1949
Birmingham will have its first cat show since 1911 on 27 October. Between 200 and 300 of 29 varieties will be on view at the Friends' Institute, Moseley-road. The venture is sponsored by the Midland Counties Cat Club. There will be ugly cats and beautiful cats, mean cats and magnificent cats. To the layman they will be mostly curious cats. There are breeds whose existence the man in the street couldn't suspect. For all cat-lovers the show is certain to be a magnet.

CAT SHOW REVIVAL Evening Despatch, 7th October 1949
The war had not been over long before dog fanciers were busy reviving the shows that were so popular in the old days. Now I see that cat fanciers are getting busy along the same lines. The Midland Counties Cat Club announces its first post-war championship show which is to be held at the Friends’ Institute, Moseley-road, Birmingham on 27 October. Mrs O.M. Lamb of Twylands Grange Hill, Halesowen, is the show manager, and cat-concerned readers who want further particulars should get in touch with her at once, for Sunday is the closing date for entries.

[MIDLAND COUNTIES SHOW] KITTENS STOLE THE CAT SHOW Birmingham Daily Gazette, 28th October 1949
There was a brisk business in the sale of champion-bred kittens after judging at the Midland Counties Cat Club championship Show, held in Birmingham yesterday. Awards in the principal classes included:
Long-haired cat: Mr. D. H. Harrington's Oxley's Peter John.
Long-haired kitten: Miss M. E. Schofield's Shaun Mi-Owne.
Short-haired cat: Mrs. E. W. Wridgway's Sapphire of Sabrina.
Short-haired kitten: Mrs. L. A. Farr's Pansiao.

[MIDLAND COUNTIES SHOW] CHAMPION PERSIAN CATS Lichfield Mercury, 4th November 1949
The Midland Counties Cat Club, which was revived early this year, held its first post-war championship show at Birmingham on October 27th. Exhibitors came from several south-east counties and the north, and one from Eire. Among winners of premier awards were Mrs. Herod, Muckley Comer (blue-eyed white Persian champion, Carreg Comford; cream female Persian, Byways Ruffetty) and Mrs. D. H. Harrington Harvard, Milford, near Stafford (blue Persian champion, Peter John).

[MIDLAND COUNTIES SHOW] CAT WINS THREE CUPS Chelmsford Chronicle, 4th November 1949
At the Birmingham Cat Show, Mrs. E. Brine, of Wick Estate, Wickford, with a Persian female, gained an open championship and three cups.

[MIDLAND COUNTIES SHOW] RUN OF PRIZES Leicester Evening Mail, 5th November 1949
Vagabond, a blue Persian cat belonging to Miss Crosher, of Stoughton-road, Oadby, is believed to be the premier neuter cat in England. He has qualified for the award by winning first prizes at three different shows recently. Now four years old, he has been entered for shows since he was a kitten of nine months, and has never been awarded less than "very highly commended." In July this year he won three firsts, a second and a third; in September, at the Herts and Middlesex show, three firsts and a special; in October, at the Blue Persian Cat Society Show, two firsts and two seconds; and at Birmingham last week, four firsts. So keen is Miss Crosher that on one occasion, when a taxi ordered for 5 a.m. did not arrive, she carried Vagabond, walking from Oadby to London-road station to catch a train for a show.

1949 CROYDON CAT CLUB SHOW

1949 SCOTTISH CAT CLUB SHOW

[SCOTTISH CAT CLUB SHOW] ALFORD KITTEN SCORES Aberdeen Press and Journal, 26th November 1949
Mrs Challoner, Whitehaugh, Alford, won two second prizes and a third with her six-month-old Siamese kitten, Doneraile Bette, at the Scottish Cat Club show in Glasgow. Proud Petronella, owned by Miss Grant, Knockleith House, Auchterless, was Siamese female champion and best short-haired cat in the show.

1949 NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] CAT SHOW AT PORCHESTER HALL Kensington News and West London Times, 2nd December 1949
The Championship Cat Show to be held at the Porchester Hall on December 6th will be the fifty-third held by the National Cat Club. From 1896 to 1935 these shows were held at the Crystal Palace. In 1936 the Palace was burnt down two days before the date of the show but thanks to the prompt action of the Club’s Show Manager and with the cooperation of the Superintendent of the Paddington Baths and the BBC which announced the change of venue in its News Bulletin, the show was carried through to the Porchester Hall without a hitch. This year’s show will be the biggest “National” to be held since before the war and more than 300 of the finest cats in the world will be on view. An interesting exhibit will be a “Burmese” cat - one of the first to arrive in this country. These cats are not yet recognised as a distinct breed by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy but considerable progress in establishing the breed has been made in America.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] ARISTOCRATIC CATS Nottingham Journal, 7th December 1949
Cat, like dogs, are now being changed in shape, size and colour. Among the 300 aristocrats of the cat world, most of them Siamese, which were assembled at the National Cat Club show at Paddington Baths Hall today were three of a new breed called British short-hair. Their father was Siamese and their mother a long-haired Chinchilla. Their owner is now waiting to see whether the next generation will be true to the new type. Cats from all over the country came to the show. They treated the judges with dignity and disdain and one heard scarcely a “meow.” Some of them will eventually go for export, as cat lovers from many parts of the world came to the annual London show to buy. Two foreign cats in the show were chocolate-coloured Burmese cats belonging to Mrs. Lilian France, of Nottingham-road. Derby. They were flown here from America last April.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] MUCKLEY CORNER CHAMPION CAT Lichfield Mercury, 9th December 1949
At the National Cat Club of Great Britain, 53rd championship show, held at Paddington, London, on Tuesday, there were 310 cats exhibited. Mrs. D. Herod of Clevelands, Muckley Corner, near Lichfield, was a prominent exhibitor, and her blue-eyed white male cat champion “Carreg Comfort,” was awarded the honour of best male and best long-haired cat in the show. Comfort was also awarded first and championship in his open class, besides many other first and special prizes. He has now won five challenge certificates, these being gained at five successive shows.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] HAS ANYONE SEEN GLORIA? Kensington News and West London Times, 9th December 1949
Gloria was sitting quietly in the pride of her beauty on Tuesday afternoon at the national Cat Show at Porchester Hall, Bayswater. Now and again she attended to the silky sheen of her blue grey fur. Life was very serene and she was a very successful lady. Now, as sometimes happens to other beautiful and successful ladies, Gloria has “hit the headlines” for another reason than for her fame and beauty. She is missing. Her owner, Mrs. J. Thompson, of Wickham Way, Beckenham, Kent, who is well known as an exhibitor and judge of pedigree cats, was getting ready to pack up and leave the show at 6.45 on Tuesday evening, when it was noticed that “Gloria Pensford,” her champion long-haired blue cat was missing from the cage. The show was over and workmen were already busy dismantling the pens, but those of Gloria and her neighbour were still standing.

The theory that she had been frightened by the noise of the workmen and had managed to escape from the pen, vied with that that she had been stolen, for Gloria is a very valuable cat indeed, being worth a sum that can be safely estimated in three figures. But it was not her financial value that made her owner, and friends, begin searching Porchester Hall and the surrounding streets with torches until far into the night, for Gloria is a beloved pet as well as a champion, and had a special sentimental attachment for Mrs. Thompson, as this lovely cat was a special favourite of her husband who died only a short time ago. On Wednesday morning the search continued. “Mrs. Thompson will be heartbroken if she is not found,” a friend told the “Kensington News,” and she will give a reward to whoever can find her.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] SOMEONE HAS SEEN GLORIA Kensington News and West London Times, 16th December 1949
Last week the “Kensington News” published the story of Gloria, the blue long-haired champion at who was missing at the end of the National Cat Show at the Porchester Hall, Bayswater, last week. Now Gloria has been seen by several independent people in the Bayswater area. On one occasion she came for a rest in a cat basket belonging to somebody’s pet, on a balcony in the vicinity of the hall; another time she was seen by children, who rushed in to tell their father they had seen a “strange cat.” Every time she has either been seen or recognised too late for capture. A friend of her owner told the “Kensington News,” “Gloria is such an unusual cat that anybody seeing her would be sure to notice her. We have spent days searching for her, and there is a £10 reward for her return. Although she is a prize cat, her main value is sentimental to her owner and she is a bad breeder in case anyone feels she might be worth keeping for that purpose. Anyone who thinks they have found Gloria is asked to telephone Mrs. Marlow, FUL 6201.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] MISSING MIMI (GLORIA) Marylebone Mercury, 13th January 1950
Mimi, the blue Persian cat with copper-coloured eyes, who disappeared a month ago after the National Cat Club Show at Paddington Baths, is still missing. She is a £50 champion and 500 leaflets offering a reward of £10 for her recovery have been distributed I the district. Mimi’s owner, Mrs Joan Thompson, is now in New York where she went to judge at a show. Mrs Eireanne Marlow, of Vereker Road, West Kensington, a cat breeder, is searching for Mimi daily.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] THE RETURN OF MIMI (GLORIA) Kensington News and West London Times, 20th January 1950
There will probably be some tasty morsel of trans-Atlantic fare for Mimi, the aristocratic blue Persian cat officially known “Gloria Pensford,” who disappeared from her pen after National Cat Show at Porchester Hall at the beginning of December and has only just been found. Mimi’s owner, heartbroken over her disappearance, after days and nights of looking, had to leave the search to friends and go to New York, where she had promised to act as judge in show. Mimi had a special value to her owner, Mrs J Thompson. apart from her worth as a show cat, for Mimi was great pet of Mr Thompson, her husband, who died only a short while ago.

The search started as soon as the cat was found to be missing, which was when the show was over, and workmen were beginning to dismantle the cages. Reports came in from many people that they had seen her in the district; leaflets were distributed and the “Kensington News” published two stories about the “missing lady.” Then on Sunday a woman living in Kildare Place, Bayswater, not far from the hall, phoned Mrs Marlow (a friend of Mrs Thompson whose number was given on the leaflet and in the paper) saying that cat, who although very dirty, seemed to be of aristocratic breed and answered to Mimi’s description, was living in hiding in a shed in a near-by back garden. Mrs Marlow and her husband went to Kildare Place, and climbed into the locked shed through a window. There was Mimi, caked with dirt, but Mimi, rather wild and very scared, but quite well nourished. After her independent existence she objected to the humiliation of being carried home in a basket, but in she went after a tussle. Now she is enjoying the “return of the prodigal” . . . excited cables have sent the news to New York, and Mimi is anticipating at least one tin of spam!

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] CHAMPION CAT Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette, 16th December 1949
Another success has come to the blue cream female Cat, "Gathorne Georgianna,”belonging to Mrs. Chappell, of 2 High road. Cowley Peachey. At the National Cat Club show at Paddington Baths on Wednesday last week, she was awarded the challenge certificate for best blue-cream cat. She also had two silver cups and other awards in cash.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] West Sussex County Times, 23rd December 1949
At the recent National Cat Show held in London, Mrs. Brunton’s “Southway Josephine,” a beautiful blue Persian, was chosen as the best female cat of any long-haired variety in the show. Josephine’s daughter, “Wild Violet of Dunesk,” was also chosen as the best kitten in the show. Two firsts and other prizes were awarded to the brother kitten of “Wild Violet.” Mrs. Brunton’s blue Persians are sent all over the world. Two are waiting to sail to America.

1949 REGIONAL SHOWS

HAS YOUR CAT GOT A SWEET FACE? Kensington Post, 10th June 1949
Are North Kensington people proud of their cats? They will have a chance to show them off. The Animal Aid Society in Kensal Road, the North Kensington branch of the R.S.P.C.A. are having a cat show for household cats. All cats are eligible, except those with a pedigree. There will be a variety of prizes given. A veterinary surgeon at the Centre will pass all entries and professional cat-judgers will judge them. The contest is being held in conjunction with Miss Kit Wilson. well-known Kensington cat lover. A contest that was to be held for all domestic pets excepting dogs was called off because there were not enough entries. The staff at the clinic are hoping North Kensington cat-owners will respond better this time. Notice of entries should be brought or posted in to the clinic. Date of the contest will be announced later. The contest is for all domestic pets other than dogs and cage birds, but it is expected that the majority of entries will be cats. But other pets are most welcome, mice, rabbits or guinea pigs, for instance. Prizes will be given for all classes of animals. Tentatively, it has been decided to give prizes for the following: the biggest, the oldest, the most easily handled cat, the cat with the sweetest face, the best cat owned by a small boy, the best owned by a small girl, the best owned by an old age pensioner, the best long-haired, the best shorthaired, the best bombed-out and adopted cat and the best cat patient at the clinic this year.

GLO'SHIRE DAIRY STUDENTS [SHOW] Western Daily Press, 16th July 1949
Gloucestershire Dairy Students held their annual dog and cat show at Cross Hands Farm, Old Sodbury through the kindness of Mr and Mrs J. Bennett. Mr Perry and Miss Burr judged the entries, the results being:
Cats. –1, Mrs R. Hobbs (Russian blue); 2, Miss S. Yerrett (white); 3, Mrs A. Pullin (tabby)

[ODFL CHILDREN’S CAT SHOW] STAGE CAT IN CHELSEA SHOW Chelsea News and General Advertiser, 23rd December 1949
Eight cats, eight children. This was the total attendance at the Children's Cat Show, held by Mrs. Enouf, at the Chelsea branch of the Dumb Friends League in Bywater Street. Disappointing as this small attendance was, after a large amount of publicity in local schools, it had one good result. Everyone got a prize. Cat in the best condition was Mickey, belonging to Derek Shrub, of 33F, Lewis Buildings. "Oddest cat" was Ferdinand, belonging to Gillian Lacey, of 50, Radnor Walk. Best cat to have passed through Mrs. Enouf’s clinic during the year was Larry, belonging to Ann Stream, of Hortensia House, Hortensia Road. Larry is a cat star. Months ago he was found in a cardboard box in a phone box in Sloane Square. He was taken to the clinic and adopted. Seen by a producer he was elevated to feline stardom. For a glorious spell Larry appeared in the West End production of "I Remember Mama," Prizes were presented by Mrs. E. Geffen.