REPORTS FROM EARLY BRITISH CAT SHOWS 1951
1951 LANCASHIRE AND NORTH WESTERN COUNTIES CAT SHOW
[LANCASHIRE AND NORTH WESTERN COUNTIES CAT SHOW] GROOMING Manchester Evening News, 3rd January 1951
Carefully groomed aristocrats will be compelled to share quarters with the “working class” when the North-West Cat Club Show is held in the Corn Exchange, Manchester, later this month. Alongside 140 pedigree cats will be nine household pets, competing for prizes in a class specially devised for them. And already their owners are preparing them for show day. The long-haired, blue-blooded animals have been preparing for several weeks. Mrs S.S. Culley. Secretary of the Club, tells me that to bring them to peak for show-day coats must be carefully powdered and brushed for five or six weeks.
[LANCASHIRE AND NORTH WESTERN COUNTIES CAT SHOW] Manchester Evening News - Friday 19 January 1951
Lancashire and North Western Counties Cat Club Show, Manchester Corn Exchange, Hanging Ditch Entrance only. Your opportunity to admire and perhaps to buy some of the finest pets in the animal kingdom. Saturday January 20th, 2 p.m.
[LANCASHIRE AND NORTH WESTERN COUNTIES CAT SHOW] IT'S A DOG'S LIFE–L'M OFF, ' DECIDED ROYETTE THE CAT Manchester Evening News, 20th January 1951
Tired of the attention of her admirers – especially those who poke fingers at her and said “Come on, Tiddles” – pedigree Siamese Royette Sheba decided to make a break for it. Finding a hole in the top of her cage at the Lancashire and North West Counties Cat Club annual show in Manchester Corn Exchange to-day, Royette leapt. A judge tried to stop her by throwing a towel over her. But Royette, a spitting fury, streaked clear and evaded a score of pursuers, dashing along a passage. But here the escape story ended. The passage did not lead to freedom. Royette, hemmed in, was returned, fuming, to her cage.
This was the only incident to mar the regal dignity of the show – long rows of cats lying languorously on blankets and nuzzling hot-water bottles. Queen of them all was Southwood Sunya, champion of champions at the Siamese Cat Club show. She did not enter the contest, but looked on from a red cushion. Her owner, Mrs. D. Nicholas, of Macclesfield, said U.S. fanciers would pay up to 200 guineas for her.
More than 150 cats were on view – a record. Judges were enthusiastic about their high quality. Said Judge Miss Kit Wilson, of London; “The Manx cats here are the best since the war.” Siamese, which were in the majority, included on of a new variety the chocolate pointed Siamese, shown by Mrs. Wridgway, of Paddock Hill, Mobberley.
[LANCASHIRE AND NORTH WESTERN COUNTIES CAT SHOW] CAT SHOW WINNER Halifax Evening Courier, 22nd January 1951
At the Lancashire and North West Counties Cat Show, held at Manchester Corn Exchange, on Saturday, Mr R Pedley, of Ovenden Wood, Halifax, won 15 awards with this Siamese cats and kittens.
[LANCASHIRE AND NORTH WESTERN COUNTIES CAT SHOW] Formby Times, 27th January 1951
Walk down Duke Street this week and you may see a proudly purring blue-eyed Siamese cat. Imposingly named Lightson Garnet, aged eight months, gained two second prizes at last weekend's Lancashire and North-western Counties Cat Club exhibition. But to owner Mrs. Barrett Dixon, of Holly Lodge, Duke Street, the champion answers to Pie. "Once you've bred Siamese you will never have another kind of cat," smiled Mrs. Dixon.
1951 SOUTHERN COUNTIES CAT SHOW
[SOUTHERN COUNTIES’ CAT SHOW] GEORGE THE PUSS FOR PARIS West Sussex County Times, 2nd February 1951
Prize for the best long-haired kitten in the in London on Monday was wpm by a five-month-old male blue Persian (Blue Star George), belonging to Mrs G Pond, South Lodge, Buchan Hill, Pease Pottage. The kitten will appear on television tomorrow (Saturday), in ‘Joan Gilbert’s Picture Page.’ For Mrs Pond, who also breeds the rare silver tabbies, this was a notable achievement, for “George” also won nine first for various classes. A breeder for about seven years, Mrs Pond has had an offer from the head of the Paris Cat Club for this cat. Another of Mrs Pond’s kittens (Blue Star Diana), went to America and at Christmas was judged the best female Persian in the New York Cat Show.
Mrs E Menezes’, Post Office, Colegate, home bred female Abysinian “Taishun Jasmin” won the Callenge Certificate for best Abyssinian in show. Her male, “Nigella Mischan,” was second, and he won several firsts and seconds in other classes.
[SOUTHERN COUNTIES’ CAT SHOW] RED FACES Midland Counties Tribune, 2nd February 1951
Only known red pointed Siamese cat in this country was at the Southern Counties Cat Club’s Championship All-breed show at Lime Grove Hall, Shepherd’s Bush. Instead of the black face of the usual Siamese, its face was ginger, which in cat circles, is always called red. Mrs. Kathleen Williams, secretary and show manager, believes that it will now be possible to breed other red Siamese from this male kitten. It was bred quite accidentally, but in America there are four “reds.”
1951 YORKSHIRE CAT CLUB CAT SHOW
[1951 YORKSHIRE CAT CLUB SHOW] HAUGHTY AND HUMBLE CATS Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 28th December 1950
Some of the aristocrats of the cat world, who will be visiting York for the city’s first cat show in February, are likely to find themselves in somewhat bourgeois company. In the next cubicle will probably be Mrs. Brown’s ginger cat whose only claim to fame is his ability to keep the neighbours awake. Although some of the finest pedigree cats in the country will on show, the organisers intend to make a feature of the ordinary tabby. There are classes for the best office cat, warehouse cat, home cat, cafe cat and other humble and hard-working varieties. Indeed, Mrs. K. Carbert, Secretary the Yorkshire Cat Club, tells me that any cat, however much shrouded In mystery his pedigree may be, can be entered with every chance of winning a prize. If every dog has his day. I do not see why the cat should not be given his chance.
1951 EDINBURGH AND EAST OF SCOTLAND CAT SHOW
[EDINBURGH AND EAST OF SCOTLAND CAT SHOW] `GINGER' SURPRISES THE CAT SHOW Edinburgh Evening News, 10th February 1951
A 19-year-old cat, " Ginger," belonging to Mrs A. L. Grant. of Glasgow, created something of a surprise at the open show held by the Edinburgh and East of Scotland Cat Club in the Oddfellow's Hall. Forrest-road, to-day. With a coat described as "soft as silk," Ginger won first prize in the veterans' class. His owner said this was the first time he had been entered in any show. Other winning owners included:
Longhaired blue adult, Mrs E. R. Kerr, Glasgow.
Any other colour adult, Mrs M. A. Marsden, Lancashire.
Blue kitten, Mrs M. W. Nell, Aberdour (Eiranne Lavender Lady).
Longhaired novice, except blue, Mrs Marsden.
Longhaired, bred by exhibitor, Mrs M S Paton, Greenock.
Longhaired challenge class, adult, Mrs Marsden.
Longhaired challenge class, kitten, Miss Paton
Shorthaired, adult (female), Miss Paton.
Shorthaired, kitten (female), Mr J. Broome, 52 Columba Road, Blackhall, Edinburgh (Mockbridge Phacelia).
Siamese, adult (male), Mrs E.M.M.B. Lacey, Aberfeldy.
Siamese, adult (female), Miss D. G. Campbell, Glasgow.
Siamese, kitten (male), Miss A. F. Kinnear, 4 Spylaw Avenue, Edinburgh (Sinbad).
Siamese, kitten (female), Mrs H. Challoner, Alford, Aberdeenshire.
Shorthair, except Siamese, bred by exhibitor, Miss Paton.
Siamese, adult (female), novice, Mrs R N Oswald, 20 Howe Street, Edinburgh (Inwood Mist).
Siamese kitten, bred by exhibitor, Miss S. Watters, 4b Chalmers Crescent, Edinburg (Glenample Psyche).
Shorthair, challenge class, adult, Miss Paton.
CLUB CLASSES
Long haired, any colour (adult), Mrs Marsden.
Siamese kitten, Miss Watters.
Pedigree neuters, Mr. R. B. MacVean, 250 Milton Road East, Portobello (Mika).
Pedigree neuter, long haired, Mr William Alexander, Glasgow.
Household pet, short haired, Miss E. M. Bonthron, 18 Hillview Drive, Edinburgh (Zippy).
1951 SURREY & SUSSEX CAT SHOW
[SURREY AND SUSSEX CAT SHOW, REDHILL] West Sussex Gazette, 18th January 1951
The first Cat Show to be held in the borough, that of the recently formed Surrey and Sussex Cat Association, at the Colman Institute, Redhill, attracted an excellent entry and an unexpectedly large number of spectators, the hall being thronged for the greater part of a day. The Mrs A E White Remembrance Bowl, presented by Mrs A E Vize, Secretary of the association, for the best exhibit, was won by Mr G B Allt, of Crowborough,with his Redwalls Jack Frost, which also won the Mrs Polden Cup for the best Chinchilla.
SURREY & SUSSEX CAT ASSOCIATION Worthing Gazette, 28th February 1951
The Surrey and Sussex Cat Association will be holding a Cat Show in Worthing in the near future. Will anyone interested please communicate with the Branch Secretary, Mrs C. Startup, 12, Heene-way, Worthing.
[SURREY & SUSSEX CAT SHOW] Worthing Herald, 16th March 1951
In a few months, [cats] will indeed, become news, for a cat show is to be held in Worthing. It is being arranged by the Surrey and Sussex Cat Association, which held its first show at Redhill recently. Mrs C. Startup, of 12 Heene-way, secretary of the local branch of the association, says that there will be classes for long-haired and short-haired animals, and for kittens. There will even be one for fat cats. Entries will be judged mostly for their shape and colour. Mrs Startup has three cats, a British Blue pedigree, which will be entered, a Cream Persian and a "mongrel." One of the most popular breeds in Worthing, she believes, is the Siamese. She considers that although cat-rearing, with attention to rare breeds, suffered during the war, there is probably more interest now than ever.
[SURREY & SUSSEX CAT SHOW] Worthing Herald, 11th May 1951
Surrey and Sussex Cat Association will be holding an Open Cat Show at the Plaza Ballroom on Wednesday, June 20th Schedules available after May 16th from Mrs C. M. Startup, 12 Heene Way, Worthing. Phone 3866.
[SURREY & SUSSEX CAT SHOW] Worthing Gazette, 13th June 1951
Come to Worthing's First Cat Show on Wednesday, June 20th, at the Plaza Ballroom 12.30 - 5.30. Cats may be entered on the day of the Show between 9 and 10 a.m. Many Cups and Special Prizes.
[SURREY & SUSSEX CAT SHOW] CREAM CHINCHILLAS WERE SWELLS OF THE CAT SHOW Worthing Herald, 22nd June 1951
Cats of all sorts and sizes, colours and dispositions came to Worthing on Wednesday with their proud human owners in attendance, and, as a concession to their owners, allowed themselves to be judged for points by experts. This was a concession for every cat knows that it is The Cat, superior to all other cats, and these cats were, in a good many instances, aristocrats of national reputation. The occasion was the first open cat show, it is thought, to be held in Worthing. It was organised by the Surrey and Sussex Cat Association, which has been in existence for a year now, and it attracted some 60 cats (and their proud owners), which provided about 100 entries in 20 cat classes at the Plaza ballroom.
Siamese, Blue Persians and Cream Persians were there in the small show cages. And so were examples of an interesting new family known as Cream Chinchillas. These were the swells, who looked at mere human sightseers with well-bred reserve. They rarely spoke. The silence of a cat show would be an agreeable change from the loud and continuous barking of a dog show but unhappily owners of cats talk! Here and there some aristocrat with fine fur would acknowledge a friendly human finger put through the bars of its cage with an expressive low-toned miaow, but for the most part your cat on public view is silent. Here and there kittens played happily and charmingly together with suitable bits of paper.
The best cat in the show (the referee judge was Miss York, chairman of the Governing Council of the Cat Fanciers) was one of Captain N. Wood's Siamese ("Exquisite kittens with charming gentle natures and very deep blue eyes," is Captain Wood's description of the Siamese stock). The best kitten, Miss York judged, was Mrs A. Cook-Radmore's Albany Fairy Amber; the best short-haired cat was Mrs L. Croucher's Creme Camp with kitten; and the best household pet was Miss Stafford's white Persian Connie. The cats shown in the household pets classes won high praise from the Judges, and their marvellous condition was publicly described as a credit to their Worthing owners. The winners in these classes were:
Household pets:- Long hair - 1 Miss Stafford, 2 Mrs Cullingham, 3 Miss Cox, 4 Mrs Chapman:
Household pets:- Short-hair - 1 Mrs Stubbs, 2 Mrs Blok, 3 Miss Law. r Mrs Startup.
The main prize list was:
Any variety long-hair, male - 1 Mrs A Vize.
Any variety long-hair, female - 1 Mrs C. Startup, 2 Mrs A. Vize, 3 Mrs A. Palgrave.
Any variety breeders, long-hair, male or female - 1 Mrs A. Palgrave.
Any variety, novice, longhair, male or female - 1 Mrs C. Startup, 2 Mrs A. Palgrave.
Any variety long-hair, kittens 3 to 9 months - 1 Mrs A. Cook-Radmore.
Any variety Siamese, male or female - 1 Captain N. Wood, 2 Major Campbell Baldwin, 3 Miss D. Peck.
Any variety, breeders, Siamese, male or female - 1 Captain N Wood, 2 Mrs P. Walters, 3 Captain N. Wood.
Any variety short-hair (except Siamese). male or female - 1 Mrs L. Croucher, 2 Mrs C. Startup, 3 Miss D. Peck.
Any variety breeders, short-hair (except Siamese), male or female - 1 Miss D. Peck.
Any variety novice, short-hair (including Siamese), male or female - 1 Major Campbell Baldwin, 2 and 3 Miss D. Peck.
Any variety shorthair kitten (including Siamese), 3 to 9 months - 1 Miss P. Simmons, 2 Mrs S. Morgan, 3 Mr R. Winter.
Any variety breeders (including Siamese), 3 to 9 months - 1 Miss P. Simmons, 2 Mr R. Winter, 3 Mrs P. Walters.
Any variety, novice kitten (including Siamese), 3 to 9 months - 1 Miss P. Simmons, 2 Mrs S. Morgan, 3 Miss R. Babbs.
Any variety, novice, exhibitor kitten (including Siamese) - 1 Mr R Winter.
Any variety pedigree neuter - 1 Mrs P. Walters, 2 Miss J. Harris, 3 Mrs I. Croucher, r Mrs J. Rutter. vhc Miss S. Richardson and Miss N. West.
Radius, any variety, longhair or short-hair, cat or kitten - 1 Mrs Croucher, 2 Miss .I. Harris, 3 Miss S. Richardson, r Mrs A. Palgrave.
[SURREY & SUSSEX CAT SHOW] Croydon Advertiser and East Surrey Reporter, 29th June 1951
Capt Wood, of Tenison Road, South Norwood, won the silver rose bowl for the cat in the show at the Surrey and Sussex cat show at Worthing.
1951 CHESHIRE SHOW
CHESHIRE SHOW Cheshire Observer, 9th June 1951
There were several absentees from the original entries in the cat show, as some owners do not like their cats to be travelling during hot spells. Miss Le Gallais, who has been manager of this section for several years, said that entries were higher than last year.
1951 KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB SHOW
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] A CUP FOR KENSINGTON’S BEST CAT Kensington News and West London Times, 15 June 1951
A Cup for the best Kensington Cat in the Festival of Britain Championship All Breed show to be held by the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club at the Royal Horticultural New Hall on July 25th, is being offered by Mrs Blanche Anding of the Thackeray Bookshop, Kensington. The President of the Club is the authoress Rachel Ferguson whose two books on Kensington “Passionate Kensington” and “Royal Borough” are both best-sellers.
The Club is opening out in a much bigger way than ever before this year, and the Household Pet Section will, once more, be a feature. There will many more prizes this year, and Entry forms can be had from Mrs Grant Allen, of 28 Elvaston Place, SW7.
People who cannot show their cats can enter the special Photographic Competition for money and other prizes. Entry forms from the Show Manager, Mr F Williams, 92 Chiltern Road, Sutton, Surrey.
The Club are hoping to arrange for transport to and from the Hall for a limited number of Kensington cats. The Show will also include a Cats Through the Ages Exhibition of unusual and historic pictures, prints and curiosities, showing Cats from 1000 B.C. to the present day.
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] COAT OF ARMS FOR THE CATS Kensington News and West London Times, 6th July 1951
The Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club have been granted permission to display an enlarged copy of Kensington Borough Arms at the annual show of the Club which is being held at the Royal Horticultural Society's Hall on 25th July 1951. The show is being held on a much larger scale than usual and will be attended by parties of visitors from overseas. A special as section is being run to find Kensington’s best pet cat regardless of pedigree.
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN ALL BREED CAT SHOW] TO JUDGE PETS Hampstead News, 19th July 1951
Mr. E. Keith Robinson. of King's Garden. West Hampstead, secretary of Our Dumb Friends' League, Is to judge the household pets at the Festival of Britain All Breed Cat Show at the Royal Horticultural Hall.
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] MARMALADE CAT WILL BE BIGGEST AT CAT SHOW Kensington Post, 20th July 1951
Orlando the Marmalade Cat, will make a personal appearance at the Festival Cat Show to be run by the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club at the Royal Horticultural Society's Hall, Victoria, on Wednesday. Orlando, on whom its owner, Miss Kathleen Hale, wrote a very successful book, will be seen at the Thackeray Book Shop stall, one of the 30-odd stalls that will form part of the show. The show will, it is understood, be the biggest of its kind ever held in Britain. Entries have been received from all Parts of the country and more than 500 live cats are expected to be exhibited. They will compete for valuable prizes, some of which have been given by catlovers in the U.S.A., France, Australia and Denmark. Mummified cats and bronze models of cats will be seen in one of the two special exhibitions - the other is of feline photographs.
KENSINGTON CAT SHOW Kensington News and West London Times, 20th July 1951
The Festival Show of The Kensington Kitten and (neuter) Cat Club to be held on July 25th at the (new) hall of the Royal Horticultural Society, Westminster, promises to be the biggest Cat show ever held. There are five hundred entries, counting Household Pets, which section is, of course, a small minority, and Show Managers, Mr and Mrs F Williams have had to hire an annexe to cope with the overflow. The entries in the Photographic competition are large enough to involve the hiring or lending of a special room in which mounting and judging will take place before the Show.
Miss Kathleen Hale and ‘Orlando’ are coming. Miss Hale will sign copies of the Orlando books at The Thackeray Bookshop stall in the hall itself, and Orlando will be in a cage by her side. Miss Margot Fonteyn lent two bronzes for the ‘Cats Through The Ages’ exhibit. Many Kensington shops, including The Studio Bookshop, Church Street, run by one of the Club patrons, Mr Sassoon, The Pet Shop Gloucester Road, and the flower shop in Thackeray Street, will have stalls in the hall, and there will be many others.
All attractions will free. Entrance 3s 6d. Judges include Miss Kit Wilson, whose latest book ‘Cat Encyclopaedia’ will be on sale, and Mr Keith Robinson, of Our Dumb Friends League, who will judge the Household Pets. The Household Pets are to be eligible to compete for the silver cup presented by Mrs Anding in the ‘Kensington Section,’ and Rachel Ferguson, the well-known authoress, who is the President of the Club, is offering a cup for an outright win, also, for Household Pets only.
The Show will be open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm. Winning rosettes are once more offered by Miss R G Ferguson.
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] 5000 YEARS OF CATS West London Observer, 20th July 1951
There will be a record entry of over 500 cats at the Festival Cat Show organised by the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club at the Horticultural Hall, Westminster, next Wednesday. Part of the show will consist of an exhibition called “5000 Years of Cats.”
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] FESTIVAL CATS Edinburgh Evening News, 21st July 1951
James Mason, the film star, has sent a sketch by himself of one of his cats for exhibiting at Festival of Britain Cat Show at the Royal Horticultural Hall, London, on Wednesday. The drawing will be seen in a "Cats Through the Ages" exhibition for which Mr Churchill and Miss Margot Fonteyn have also lent pieces. Mr Churchill's are drawings of his favourite cat made by Sir William Nicholson when he was teaching Mr Churchill to paint. More than 500 entries for the show have been received, claimed to be a record for a cat show in this country.
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] THE CAT FROM YORKSHIRE Bradford Observer, 26th July 1951
Cat worship was at its height yesterday at the Royal Horticultural Hall, with the real cats drawing even more attention than the learned exhibition called “Cats through the Ages.” Items here included a mummified cat from ancient Egypt, a cat skeleton found in the Tower of London, an illustrations which showed that famous cat lovers have included Edward Learsaki, W.B. Yeats, Jean Cocteau, Mr Winston Churchill and Mr James Mason.
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] THE OLDEST CAT THERE DIDN’T MIAOW Kensington Post, 27th July 1951
The oldest cat in the world joined company with over 500 of its kind for a Festival reappearance in the largest, most elaborate and the best attended show ever of the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club held at the Royal Horticultural Society’s new hall on Wednesday. In the chorus of miaows the oldest cat couldn’t join in – for he is a mummified Egyptian cat who last mewed for a saucer of milk sever thousand years ago. With him were two other aged felines – one from ancient Rome and one from a house in the Tower of London. The Egyptian cat was loaned by the Abyssinian Cat Club who organized, within the show, what must be the most comprehensive cat exhibition ever held in London. The other two, both skeletons, were from the Environmental Archaeology department of London University.
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] Bedfordshire Times and Independent, 27th July 1951
At the Festival Cat Show in the Royal Horticultural New Hall, Westminster, on Wednesday, Mrs Barton gained many prizes with two Siamese cats. Hona Delta was awarded first, eight seconds, third, and three specials. Hona Alfa gained four reserves, one fourth, one highly commended, and one special award.
SHOPKEEPERS’ DAY AT THE CAT SHOW Kensington News and West London Times, 27th July 1951
It was shopkeepers’ day at the cat show on Wednesday - at least as far as the classes for household pets were concerned. Three of the prizewinners were owned by Kensington shopkeepers, and their cats were all “alley” cats and good mousers. The Cat Show which was held at the Royal Horticultural Hall was run by the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club, whose President is Miss Rachel Ferguson, well known Kensington author. The alley cats were receiving as much care and attention as their more aristocratic brothers, and when I found Gin-Gin, first prizewinner in the Household Pets Class, he was settling down to a dreamy sleep on soft, white wool blankets, marmalade tail twitching gently, one green eye half open. Owner Miss L M Jones who lives in Warwick Gardens, bought him as a kitten to scare off any mice in the Kensington cake shop she manages. Gin-Gin used to travel to work with her each day on a collar and lead. Now the mice have disappeared, he stays home, comes down the road every evening to meet his owner when she leaves work.
Almost next door to Gin-Gin was cage number 504, province of “Tortie,” a magnificent young tortoiseshell with spitfire claws and a liking for the judge’s ear. A third prize certificate hung on his door. Tortie was found on a wood-pile two years ago by Miss Francis Burton who runs her own Greengrocer’s business in St Alban’s Grove. “He was only a kitten but quite wild” she said. Tortie’s closest companion is Miss Burton’s 11 year old Cairn terrier, Baby.
Third in this trio of Kensington shopkeepers all comparing notes together was little Mr Godfrey Clarke who owns a Corn Chandler’s shop in Golborne Road and whose father started the business up in 1882 Mr Clarke had brought along his three cats Korditoo, Guinevere and Persephone. Guinevere and Persephone were cleaning their snowy white coats Korditoo, being a mere male, was far too busy eating – scone soaked in fish liquor and raw tomato – his favourite dish. The three cats are well known in North Kensington as is the little cock linnet cage which hangs in Mr Clarke’s shop window - the very same cage made famous Marie Lloyd.
One of the most triumphant cats in the whole show must have been Mrs Grant-Allen’s magnificent blue-point Siamese Kaybee Pekoe Blue, winner of three firsts, a third, a reserve and a very highly commended. Mrs Grant-Allen, who lives in Queens Gate, is a Committee member of the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club. Two of her cats hold premier awards.
One cat who didn’t have to worry about judges and stewards, or how he looked, was Orlando the Marmalade Cat. He dreamed the day away while his owner, the famous author Kathleen Hale, autographed copies of the Orlando Children’s Books. Miss Hale was on the stand of the Thackeray Bookshop, which is in Thackeray Street. Owner Mrs Blanche Anding was doing a brisk trade in cat books - especially the new book just published by Kensington cat authority, Kit Wilson.
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] ORCHID TAKES FIVE Nottingham Evening Post, 28th July 1951
If you ask Mrs. D. Brice-Webb, of 249, Chilwell-lane, Bramcote, about her year-old Blue Persian, she will tell you, “She is a sweet-natured thing as playful and lovable as any tabby.” But Ronada Blue Orchid, to give her her full title, is no ordinary cat. She has just won five prizes at the Festival of Britain Cat Show. Orchid came first in the novice class, second in the open championship, breeders’ and junior classes, and third in the any variety and Notts. and Derby Cat Club classes. In the open championship, she was beaten by a three-year-old, but, comments her owner: “Orchid is far from fully grown yet.” Though Orchid has a new owner now, Mrs. Brice-Webb will be watching a future career with all the interest due to “the best kitten I ever had” - and Mrs. Brice-Webb has been breeding cats for 17 years.
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] Halifax Evening Courier, 28th July 1951
A stud Siamese owned by Mr. R. Pedley, 6, Ovenden Wood Road, Felton, won two second prizes in the open challenge and breeders' classes at the Festival of Britain cat show, held in Westminster.
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] PRIZE CAT Crawley and District Observer, 3rd August 1951
At the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Show on Wednesday last week, Mrs. S. Menzies, of The Post Office, Colegate, won the award for the best short-haired cat with an Abyssinian female, Taishun Jasmin.
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] NOT FOR LOVERS OF CATS AND HORSES Kensington Post, 3rd August 1951
Cat lovers and horse lovers, two strongly entrenched forces of animal fanciers, are poles apart; or so it would appear from the catalogue of last week's show run by the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club. One of the largest advertisements concerned supplies of horseflesh despatched by van, post or rail to all parts of the British Isles. A good thing for cat lovers that horses are vegetarians!
[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB]DOMESTIC ‘CHAMP’ GIN-GIN IS AN EX-MOUSER. 4,000 VISIT KENSINGTON CAT SHOW Kensington Post, 3rd August 1951
The cat, once invest by the ancient Egyptians with god-like properties and maligned in the Middle Ages as a familiar of witches, in modern times has regained some of the glory bestowed upon it by the worshippers by the Nile. The devotees of the cat gathered in honour of this oldest of domestic animals at the new hall of the Royal Horticultural Society, Victoria, last week in unprecedented strength. Four thousand people passed through the turnstiles, saw five hundred and ten examples of all breeds of the animal known to man competing for seven hundred and sixty one prizes in two hundred prizes. Subservient to their pets, the two hundred and fourteen owners stood anxiously by as nineteen judges spent from 9.30 in the morning until midday, assessing the animals’ value and place in the lists. The cats, aristocratic Persians and household pets of indeterminate breed, submitted to the examination with docility, demurred with dignity or resisted fiercely according to temperament. It was a sensible idea to have the well stocked first-aid table discreetly within reach.
When not concentrating on the cats in flesh, owners and spectators alike could inspect a variety of cat-inspired side shows around the hall. The Thackeray Bookshop, of Kensington Square, had Miss Kathleen Hale, well-known children’s writer, signing copies of her books on their stand; keeping her company was her own ginger cat who inspired the dozens of stories of “Orlando, The Marmalade Cat.”
The Abyssinian Cat Club organised a “cat museum” tracing cats through the ages. Here were to be seen the three ancient cats reported in last week’s Kensington Post cat Christmas cards, cat poems, bronze models of cats, tributes to cats recorded in word and picture by famous writers and artistes and literary works inspired by or concerned with cats and dozens of historical fragments of interest to the “catophile.” Cat organizations were strongly represented and one stall was selling scarfs decorated with whiskered cats’ faces. Elsewhere ornamental cats could be bought for mantlepiece and portraits of cats could also be executed it required. After the judging, food, estimated at 150 pints of milk and over 200 pounds of fish, meat and proprietary cat foods, was distributed to the hundreds of pets. The owners had picnic lunches with their pets of a 4/6 meal provided on the premises.
Amid a mass of luxuriantly coloured fur and a bevy of exotic names were the more homely household pets in their own little group. Taking first prize here was Gin-Gin, 4-and-a-half-year-old ginger cat of Miss L. M. Jones, of Warwick gardens, West Kensington. Miss Jones has owned her pet since he was a six-weeks-old kitten and in West Kensington he must count as one of the best-known of local cats. Miss Jones is manageress of a cake shop in Victoria Grove They had trouble with mice at the shop and for three years – until a few months ago – Gin-Gin was called on for mouse-patrol. Each day, in a natty green harness, he accompanies his owner on a number 27 bus and back again in the evening. Gin-Gin certainly cared all the mice away and his tour of duty is now ended.
This is the third time Gin-Gin has appeared in the show, but the first time e has carried off first prize. “In the other shows he got little prizes but never a first,” said his proud owner. His breed? “If he were a thoroughbred he would be a short red hair,” said Miss Jones.
Other Kensington cat owners who entered their pets in the show were:-
Mrs. C. Bentley, Argyll Road, W.8.; Miss F.A. Burton, Stanford Road, W.8.; Mr G.W. Clark, Golborne Road, North Kensington; Mr D. Dugdale, Neverne Square, Earls Court; Mr James, Cathcart Road, South Kensington; Mrs E. Marlow, Vereker Road, Wet Kensington, Mrs P. Stocken, Earls Court Gardens, Earls Court; Mr Unthank, Wynnstay Gardens, Kensington; Mrs G. Wilson, Campden Hill Road, Kensington; Mrs Grant-Allen, Elvaston Place, South Kensington; Miss G. Sladen, Fitzjames Avenue, West Kensington.
Cash prizes were won by:
Miss G. Sladen, Class 98, 1st place with Stonor Black Maria, also Class 73, 2nd place with Stonor Dawn.
Mrs C. Bentley, Class 40, 3rd place with Mockbridge Mistral, Class 98 2nd place with Mockbridge Valerie, Class 73 1st place with Mockbridge Panda.
Miss F.A. Burton, Household Pets 3rd place with Tortie.
Mr G. Dugdale, Class 50 3rd place with Harpur X.
Mrs E. Marlow, Class 51 1st place with Eiranne Lillibet.
Mr Unthank, 4th place Household Pets with Pip.
Miss Sladen won the cup (presented by Mrs B Anding) for best Kensington cat in the show – Stonor Black Maria.
Miss Jones’ cat Gin-Gin, won Miss Rachael Ferguson’s Cup for best adult red-short-haired cat in the show.
1951 ELLEMFORD SHOW
ELLEMFORD SHOW Berwick Advertiser, 16th August 1951
There will be a SHOW OF CATS A at ELLEMFORD SHOW on SATURDAY, 29th SEPTEMBER. Prize Lists may be obtained from Mrs Anderson, Hardens, Duns, to whom entries should be sent before 1st September. [Entry date extended to 22nd September]
1951 SANDY SHOW
[1951 SANDY SHOW Biggleswade Chronicle, 20th October 1950
The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy have notified the Secretary of the Sandy Show that championship status will be granted for their show in 1951.
[SANDY SHOW] MORE CAT CLASSES Biggleswade Chronicle, 20th July 1951
Once more the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy have granted championship status to Sandy, and a classification of 75 classes is being arranged as against 61 for 1950. Among the judges in this section are the only three all-rounder judges in England, and Sandy Show can count itself extremely fortunate that all three ladies are able and willing to attend the Exhibition, which is the earliest championship show to be held in Great Britain.
[SANDY SHOW] CAT ENTRIES Biggleswade Chronicle, 24th August 1951
For the first time a Burmese cat has been entered. There are very much larger entries or the tortoiseshell and white, and the tortoiseshell cats, both well-known breeds in Biggleswade before the war, when the late Mr. F. W. Western exhibited them. As usual, the Siamese entries are extremely popular, with Persians (particularly Blue Persians) second.
[SANDY SHOW] Bedfordshire Times and Independent, 31st August 1951
When all was set for an exceptionally successful Sandy Show yesterday (Thursday) the weather intervened and long periods of rain, sometimes heavy, spoiled the pleasure [. . .] Playful kittens amused the children as they wandered round a large marquee in with 498 cats were on show – exactly 100 more than last year. For the first time at any show the best cat was chosen by one judge only. In the past the “best cat” has been selected by a panel of judges. The new system was tried at the request of the Governing Council of Cat Fanciers.
Mrs K.M. Tipping, of Risborough Road, Bedford, gained a first prize with her Siamese neuter, “Dekki Tai.” Best cat in the show was a Siamese seal pointed female, owned by Mrs D. Nicholas, of Maulesfield (Cheshire). A second prize was won by Mrs J.M. Burlton, of Riseley, with “Ona Alfa,” a Siamese seal pointed female.
[SANDY SHOW] MORE INTEREST IN CATS Biggleswade Chronicle, 7th September 1951
Miss Kathleen Yorke (a well known cat judge), who judged the best cat in the show, commented that the quality was very good and the entries had also improved. She thought that the standard was better than last year. “I am glad,” said Miss Yorke, “to see the interest the public are taking in cats this year.” A new breed, the short-haired Burmese, was exhibited for the first time by Mrs. J. T. Atwell, from Sheffield, and was awarded a vhc.
Best cat in the show was “Ryecroft Ranchi,’' a Siamese Seal pointed female, the property of Mrs. D. Nicholas, of Macclesfield, Cheshire. This cat was also the best of the shorthaired species. The best long-haired cat was “Dusty of Dunesk,” the property of Mrs. W. A. Sharp, of Hemel Hempstead. This was this cat’s first championship. The best kitten was Mrs. E. Brine s “Averoll Sunella,” and in Miss Yorke’s words was “a gem of a kitten.” The best short-haired kitten was Mrs. L. France’s “Chinki Ranya,” a Siamese seal pointed male
1951 SURREY & SUSSEX CAT ASSOCIATION CAT SHOW
SURREY & SUSSEX CAT ASSOCIATION CAT SHOW Eastbourne Gazette, 1st August 1951
Visit our Show at the Guide Hall, London Road, Bexhill, on Saturday, September 8th. Open to Public 1.30 – 6.30 p.m. Admission 2/-. All breeds. Special classes. Prizes for Household pets. Household pets must be entered on day of show only before 10.30 a.m. Particulars: Mrs Hodgson, Asten Cottage, Watermill Lane, Bexhill-on-Sea. Tel. Crowhurst 62.
1951 SOUTH-WESTERN COUNTIES’ CAT CLUB SHOW
[SOUTH-WESTERN COUNTIES’ CAT CLUB] PINCOP SIMON WON SEVEN FIRST PRIZES AT PAIGNTON Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 25th September 1952
19-months-old visitor from Birmingham carried off seven first prizes at Paignton yesterday. He was Pincop Simon, a champion Siamese cat, who was judged best-in-show at the South-Western Counties’ Cat Club champion show. In addition to his haul of first prizes Pincop Simon, owned by Mrs O. Lamb of Birmingham, won a second and special prize.
Among the 465 entries for the show was a brilliant array of cats of widely differing species, including magnificent blue and cream Persians, chinchillas, Russian blues, tabbies and even one Manx entered by Mrs P. Cowen of Okehampton. Miss J. F. Cathcart of Paignton, secretary of the club, who last year won the best-in-show trophy, this year won the award for best kitten in show. During the afternoon the show was viewed by some 500 people. It was officially declared open by Mrs H. Michelmore (president). Awards included;
Best cat, best exhibit and best short-haired - Mrs O Lamb (Birmingham)
Best kitten and best long-haired kitten– Miss Cathcart.
Best short-haired kitten– Mrs E Dyke (Taunton)
Best long-haired cat - Mrs McVady (Edgware)
Best neuter – Miss B. Milburn (Barry)
Other principal winners:
LONG-HAIRED
White blue-eyed – Miss E. Maher-Loughnan (Torquay)
Blue, male and female - Mrs McVady (Edgware); kitten –Mrs H. Roberts (Winscombe)
Cream –Mrs Woodall (Torquay); kitten– Mrs M Bubb (Winscombe)
Tabbies: silver– Mrs C. Rogers (Torquay); Brown, kitten– Miss Cathcart; Red– Miss O’Grady Haly (Paignton)
Chinchilla kitten - Mrs D. M. Kingdom (Plymstock)
Blue-cream - Mrs Edgington (Tavistock)
Breeders– Mrs McVady; Kitten– Mrs Douglas (Cullompton)
Any colour Novice - Mrs McVady; Kitten -Mrs H. Roberts
Limit - Mrs McVady
Junior - Mrs McVady
Brace - Mrs McVady
Stud - No first; 2, Mrs Kingdom
Brood Queen - Miss Cathcart
Kindergarten – Miss Cathcart
SHORT-HAIRED
Not Siamese – Manx, Mrs P Cowen Okehampton
Russian Blue male - Mrs Hargreaves Drewsteignton; Female - Mrs Cowen; Kitten - Mrs Hargreaves
Siamese Seal Point male - Mrs O. Lamb, Birmingham; Female - Mr R. H. Webber, Alphington; Kitten male, 2-5 months – R. H. Webber; Female, 2-5 months - Mrs O. Sutton, Ashton; Kitten 5-9 months - Mrs E. Dyke, Taunton
Blue Point - Mrs Hargreaves; Kitten - Mrs J. Tancock, Exeter
Chocolate Point cat - Mrs M. Cave, Blandford; Kitten - (no first), 2 Miss H. Lawrence, Crewkerne
A.C. breeder’s - Mrs O Lamb; Kitten - Mrs E. Dyke; Novice - Mrs Hargreaves; Novice kitten - Mrs G. Sutton, Ashton
British and foreign including Siamese, A.V. maiden - Mrs Hargreaves
A.V. maiden - Mrs Hargreaves
Pairs kittens - Mrs K Olver, Paignton
Stud - Mrs Alexander, Bristol
Brood queen - Mrs R. H. Webber
Litter - Mrs Mayne, Calstock
Kintergarten - Mrs R H Webber
MISCELLANEOUS
Devon County long or short-haired cat or kitten - R H Webber, Somerset; Mrs Alexander
Novice exhibitors a.v. - Mrs Clapp, Cullompton
Experimental breeders- Dr Archer, Stockland
Neuter A.C. long-haired, Premier - Miss B. Milburn, Barry; A.V. short excluding Siamese (Premier) - Mrs Kingdom
A.C. long - Mrs Woodall; A.V. short - Mrs M. A. Smith, Cockington
Pets Household - Mrs Segan, Exeter; Kitten - Miss A. Cameron, Paignton
Shop and office – J. H. Burrows, Paignton
[SOUTH-WEST COUNTIES CAT CLUB SHOW] TRIUMPH AT 21, FIRST SHOW – 10 AWARDS Bristol Evening Post, 27th September 1951
A novice met with success that would have thrilled a veteran at the championship cat show arranged in Taunton by the S.W. Counties Cat Club. Twenty-one-year-old Mrs P. Udall, of Fernbank Rd, Redland, Bristol, married “a year in all but seven days,” competing in her first show, won eight first prizes, the S.W. Counties Cup for best kitten, and the cup for the best long-haired kitten, which was also adjudged best kitten in the show. She said she had always loved cats and now owned eight. Five were exhibited, and all won prizes. This was the first cat show ever held in Taunton. Five entries originally received from Taunton residents had to be withdrawn because of an outbreak of cat flu.
[SOUTH-WESTERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB] TABBY IS SHOW CHAMPION Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 27th September 1951
A brown tabby, Trelystan Girasol, owned by Miss J F Cathcart, of Dunstone Park, Paignton, was judged the best exhibit at South-Western Counties Cat Club Championship Show, Taunton, yesterday and gained the Correnden Cup. With the same animal, Miss Cathcart, who is the show secretary, won prizes for the best longhaired cat and the best adult exhibit. The show was opened by Mrs Michelmore, of Chudleigh, president of South-Western Counties Cat Club. There were over 600 entries.
1951 CRYSTAL CAT SHOW
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] CATS ARE TOP DOGS Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, 30th August 1951
the first time in the history of Olympia, London, a cat show and a dog show will be held simultaneously under the same roof in October. Proof of the phenomenal rise in the popularity of cat shows in recent years is that cats will occupy pride of place in the Grand Hall, while the dogs must be content with the smaller National Hall.
“While more women are taking up dog breeding, the men are now turning their attention to cats.” said Mr Arthur Towe, the manager of the cat show. “Doctors and musicians are the biggest buyers of pedigree cats and Siamese are easily the most popular breed.” Blue Persians are favourites with members of the theatrical profession. “Gone are the days when a pedigree cat was exclusive to maiden ladies," says Mr Towe, who is the owner of14 cats at his home in Morden, Surrey.
A special feature of the show will emphasize the part played by cats in the economic life of the nation. The annual cost for feeding Britain's 6,000,000 cats has risen from £30,000,000 in 1949 to £40,000,000 in the 12 last months, but it is estimated that food valued at £100,000,000 is saved each year due to the extermination of rats and mice by cats in factory, shop, farm and home. The health of British cats is not being overlooked. The proceeds from the show will be devoted to the Animal Health Trust for investigation into cat ailments, particularly virus diseases such cat influenza which causes such havoc among kittens.
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] ARE YOU PROUD OF YOUR CAT? various, 13th/14th September 1951
£500 in prize money to be won at CRYSTAL CAT SHOW, OLYMPIA, Friday 12th, Saturday 13th October. Pedigree and household classes. For particulars of entry write to Secretary, Crystal Cat Show, Caxton Road, London, N. 22.
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] CATS FROM WEST Bristol Evening Post, 21st September 1951
Entries have so far been received from Bristol, Bath, and Cheddar, among other places, for the Crystal Cat Show, which is expected to attract 30,000 people to Olympia, London, where it will be held on October 12 and 13. Twenty-six breeds of cats will be represented by over 1,000 entries. Outstanding exhibits will be the only two adult Burmese in the country and Stonor Spiv, the cat whose face appeared on National Savings posters all over Britain.
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] ARISTO’ CATS, CHANCE FOR TIDDLES Yorkshire Evening Post, 22nd September 1951
All eyes in the cat world are on the Grand Hall, Olympia, London. Here, on October 12 and 13, is to be staged the Crystal Cat Show – confidently expected by its sponsors to be the biggest and best cat show in the world. It is expected to attract about 30,000 cat lovers from Britain and overseas. There are more than 1,000 entries, and 26 breeds will be represented. Outstanding will be the Burmese owned by Mrs France of Derby. There are only two adult specimens in the country. With them will be a litter born two months ago.
“Stonor Spiv,” vote by public ballot at last year’s how to be the most popular cat in Britain, will be on view. This is probably the most publicised cat in the world, having appeared on thousands of posters for the National Savings Campaign. From Switzerland will come Madame Bridgett, and from France, Madame Ravel, to judge the exhibits. Both are the first Continental judges to officiate at a British cat show since the war. The ordinary household moggy will not be left in the cold, He will have equal opportunities for feline laurels with the blue-blooded aristocrats of the mile-long pedigrees.
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] TALES AND TAILS Birmingham Daily Post, 24th September 1951
Cats are said to be beloved by authors and so it would seem, for of the half-dozen sponsors of the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia next month three are writers. Compton Mackenzie, a lover of Siamese cats, keeps 14 of this breed at his home in the Orkneys and insists that the “kink” at the tip of the Siamese’s tail should not be “bred out” as is fashionable with modern breeders. Beverley Nichols also favours the Siamese, owning two black half-breeds, and Michael Joseph, the author and publisher has made his cat “Charles” famous in his book of that title. Entries at the show will exceed a thousand - a record figure “
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] THE WORLD’S LARGEST CAT SHOW Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 3rd October 1951
The World’s Largest Cat Show is to be held at Olympia on October 12 and 13. Distinguished patrons include Lady Aberconway, Lady Arkell, Mme. Alicia Markova, Compton Mackenzie and Beverley Nichols. All profits from the Show are to be given to the Feline Research Fund of the Animal Health Trust, which can begin work on cat enteritis and cat influenza as soon as adequate financial support has been received.
GREAT CRYSTAL CAT SHOW OLYMPIA Harrow Observer, 4th October 1951
Come and see Britain's most beautiful cats. Great Crystal Cat Show, Olympia, Friday 12th, Saturday 13th Oct. Famous film stars and their cats to lead Grand Parade. Over one thousand entries of champions from all parts of Britain make this year's Crystal Cat Show the greatest parade of beautiful cats ever seen in Britain. Famous film stars and their cats will be present on both days. A gallery of cat pictures from owners and breeders in other countries will feature some of the world's outstanding prize-winners. See the two Burmese cats on special exhibition–the only two of their breed in the country. Don't miss the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia on Fri. 12th, Sat. 13th October.
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] POPULAR `SPIV' CAT WILL BE AT THE SHOW Kensington Post, 5th October 1951.
Among the 1,000 cats expected at the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia on October 12 and 13 will be "Stonor Spiv," Kensington's best-known cat. Last year "Stonor Spiv," who has appeared on thousands of National Savings posters was voted by public ballot the most popular cat in Britain. This cat show will create an all-time record for any cat show in the world and a 30,000 attendance is anticipated. Proceeds will go to the feline research fund of the Animal Health Trust. Outstanding among the 26 breeds entered are the only adult Burmese specimens in England, with a 2-month-old litter. There will be an international cat photographic competition to replace the cats from abroad that cannot enter because of quarantine regulations. Two of the Judges will come from the Continent. The cats they will Judge will be pedigree and household cats.
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL SEE AT A CAT SHOW! Daily Mirror, 10th October 1951
Two passengers will travel without tickets on the luggage rack of the 8.16 from Maidenhead to Paddington tomorrow morning. 'They are Little Willie and Little Winnie, two baby crocodiles from Malaya, on their way to the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia, this week-end. But how do two crocs come to find themselves at a Cat Show? Thirty thousand cat lovers–who are assembling to see one thousand well-bred cats on show–decided to give space to other creatures. Mr. Schiller, the owner of the crocs, who was asked to help, decided to throw in Little Willie and Little Winnie, from his fascinating array of reptiles. Now he can hardly wait to find out–will Little Winnie queen it at the Cat Show?
"Always a big draw, crocodiles," beamed Mr. Schiller, who is a prosperous, cheerful gentleman of forty-five years. "People love them," he said, watching Little Winnie creeping round his office floor like an animated handbag. [. . .] “I hope the cat lovers at Olympia don’t object to these two,” he said thoughtfully. “Strange people, cat lovers.”
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] CROPSTON PRIZE CAT Leicester Evening Mail, 12th October 1951
Mrs L. Parker, of Woodlands, Cropston, exhibiting Sabokia Sweet William, won first prize in the class for Siamese seal-pointed males at the Crystal Cat Show in London.
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] CATS WILL IGNORE SOME 30,000 PEOPLE London Daily News, 12th October 1951
Today and tomorrow some 30,000 people are expected to flock to Olympia's Grand Hall - to stare at cats. It will be, with over 500 entries representing 26 breeds, the biggest cat show ever held. Here will recline the feline aristocrats, with names like Mystic Dreamer, Proud Lucifer, Silver Prince, couched on silk and satin, beribboned and bored. Here, too, returning the public gaze with a less baleful eye, will purr the Tabithas and Tibs - common or hearthrug tabbies and mongrel mousers.
Since, just 80 years ago, the world's first cat show was staged at the Crystal Palace there has developed a real cat and dog fight for public favour. It is believed that in Britain cats far outnumber dogs, of which there are under three million. As cats are unlicensed it as impossible to arrive at an accurate figure, but estimates have ranged from live to fourteen million. Animal societies are dealing with an increasing number of strays every year. It is a far cry indeed from the alleys and bombed sites where these half-wild outcasts battle for existence to the rarefied atmosphere of a pedigree "cattery" (feline equivalent of a kennels). A typical cattery comprises a group of airy sheds and runs, heated by hot-water pipes in winter, cooled by electric fans in summer. There is room for exercise–but no danger of "contamination" by the common herd. It costs about 5s. a day to provide for each pedigree a well-regulated diet of fish, horse-meat, biscuits, cream. Temperamental champions sometimes have their own playpens with rag dolls and lifelike mice for toys–and a tree-stump to sharpen their claws on.
But, although a champion may be valued at over £100, there is little profit in cat-breeding. Breeders are content to make ends meet–and enjoy the company of their expensive pets. Today the blue-eyed Siamese is by far the most popular of pedigree breeds. Rarest is the golden-eyed Burmese, introduced to Britain only three years ago: a kitten is worth £20. In between come a variety of long and smooth-haired types. Including the temporarily out of favour is the Manx. It is recorded that when the Romans, who introduced the domestic cat to Britain, lost a favoured pit a whole family would go into mourning by shaving their eyebrows [note: this was the Egyptians, not the Romans!]. Some visitors to the Great Crystal Cat Show–where one entry will recline in a miniature replica of a harem, others in silken boudoirs complete with furniture–may be inclined to raise theirs.
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW THE “BLUE” PERSIAN Bradford Observer, 13th October 1951
You cannot escape the General Election even at a cat show. Visitors to Olympia are voting today and tomorrow for Colin the Conservative, a Persian blue, Sammy the Socialist, a red tabby, or Larry the Liberal, a Siamese. When I passed the hustings, Sammy was doing a Bevan by springing fiercely o the left of his party label. Colin was couched looking proud and confident and watching his rival with lambent eyes. Larry in his pen took no notice of either, being alert and intelligent about his own business. Meanwhile, no-one was telling the voters whether they were supposed to be plumping for cats or parties.
This most ambitious of London cat shows displays the pets kept by Margaret Lockwood, Joan Rice, and half-a-dozen film actresses and has international judges. One of them, Madame Ravel, is a cousin by marriage of the great composer. She wears a cat badge designed by herself (she is an artist) and tells me that English cats are the best in the world. She is secretary-general of the Cat Club of Paris, which pronounces “cat” in the English way because of our supremacy. Her own Persian has the English name of “Twilight.”
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] SOUTHSEA PRIZE CAT Portsmouth Evening News, 13th October 1951
Mrs. A. E. Vise, of Devonshire Avenue. Southsea, exhibiting Myowne Ebonette, won first prize in the any other variety British short-haired male or female cat class at the Crystal Cat Show in London yesterday.
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] POPPY THE CAT PUT ROMANCE FIRST Daily Herald, 13th October 1951
Poppy Poopah might have become a British cat champion at Olympia yesterday if she had not decided to put Love before a Career. But on the eve of the Cat Show she saw an open pantry window. Beyond it was darkness and romance. So Poppy made for the tiles. And when her mLstress, Mrs. Winifred Sharp. of Bourne End. Herts. went to release her yesterday morning. Poppy was not there. She was able to find Poppy's pal Bah. who had abandoned romance to catch and kill a rabbit. So Bah went to the show instead. But it was no good.
First prize in the long-haired. household pets section went to a common, un-pedigreed tabby called Winston, picked at random from a pet-shop cage when Miss D. Culverwell asked for a kitten. But more surprising was the success of off-white Sir Toots, who got into the first four. Sir Toots was found by Mrs. Una Poland investigating a dustbin in the vicinity of Westminster Palace gardens. Sir Toots is an old friend of Winston's and shares his ideas about women. “They both live in flats and never go courting," said Miss Culverwell.
At most shows, nowadays, film starlets turn up for the benefit of the photographers–and yesterday's cat show was no exception. One charmer had just leaned to embrace a tough-looking Siamese tom–"I adore Siamese," she was saying–when something flashed like a Compton late-cut. It was a Siamese claw. But there is a nurse at Olympia to whom a three-inch slash is child's play.
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] NO DANCING GIRLS THIS YEAR FOR CHAMPION CAT Kensington Post, 19th October 1951
There was no harem at the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia last week for champion longhaired Persian "Harpur Blue Boy." At last year's show, he reclined in a harem complete with dancing girls on a stage. His harem cage won first prize and "Harpur Blue Boy" was runner-up champion cat. This year his owner, Mr C. Dugdale, estate agent, of Nevern Square, Earl's Court, decided that H.B.B. was too dignified for a harem, after winning several cups during the year. So "Harpur Blue Boy" sat on a plain blanket this year, but he won the show's highest honour and was proclaimed champion of the whole show from thousands of cats of every breed. In all he won three cups. "Harpur Blue Boy's" two kittens, "Harpur Romeo" and "Harpur Juliet," were also at the show with a complete miniature bedroom suite in their cage. They won two seconds. Mr Dugdale bought his champion cat in a local pet shop as a companion for his other cat. Now he has six.
ARISTOCRATS AT THE CRYSTAL CAT SHOW The Sketch, 24th October 1951
Beautiful, blue-blooded, from all parts of Britain came the entries to the two-day Crystal Cat Show held recently at Olympia. Nearly 12,000 cat-lovers attended, and many of them saw for the first time some of the lovely varieties British breeders have evolved after many years of selective breeding. The Show was open to all pedigree cats, registered or unregistered, and among its 'patrons are Lady Aberconway whose article on Fashions in Cats appears on the two following pages, Compton Mackenzie and Alicia Markova. The Crystal Cat Show retains its name, though the Crystal Palace, where it used to be held was burnt down some years ago.
[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] A PERSIAN WITHOUT ANY TROUBLES Staffordshire Newsletter, 27th October 1951
Mrs D. H. Harrington-Harvard., of Bracondale, Chase-road, Brocton, well-known breeder of pedigree Blue Persian cats, scored a notable success at the recent Crystal Cat Show at Olympia, when her three-month-old kitten, Trenton Sugar Plum, won her open-class and was nominated as the best longhaired kitten in the show. A two-day affair, the show at Olympia is the biggest, held in the country and was attended by. about 40,000 people. It was not the first success for Trenton Sugar Plum. A few weeks earlier she began her show career by taking nine prizes at the Herts and Middlesex championship. She will next appear before the judges at Croydon Cat Club’s show in London on November 14th.
1951 SIAMESE CAT CLUB SHOW
1951 MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT CLUB SHOW
[MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT CLUB] EVE-OF-POLL MEETING FOR 200 CATS Birmingham Daily Gazette, 15th October 1951
While the rest of Birmingham trembles with the excitement of election eve, one select group of citizens will gather quietly to concentrate on cats. Their interest will be the Midland Counties Cat Club championship show, to be held at the Friends' Institute, Moseley Road, on October 24. Two hundred cats have already been entered - a fact which has eased the minds of officials who were not happy about the clash with election eve. Managing the show for her third year will be club secretary Mrs. O. M. Lamb, who keeps 18 cats and kittens, mostly Siamese, at her Halesowen home. "We want to get Midland people cat-conscious," she tells me, "but most cat-lovers don't seem to have heard of our club. We aren't interested only in the expert breeders; we want to help those people who simply keep cats as pets. In this year's show there are two classes for household pets."
[MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT CLUB] Evening Despatch, 24th October 1951
There were many catty conversations at the Midland Counties Cat Club show at the Friends Institute in Birmingham today. Tiger and Leo, long-haired tabby brothers belonging Mr J Sanderson of 52, Lockwood Road, Northfield are only alley cats in the eyes of the experts. But even though they were entered only in the household pet’s section they maintained their dignity. They glared furiously at a ginger kitten who was eating his show label. Tiger paused, inclined a delicately whiskered chin towards Mirza Taklif, a Siamese reclining on a blanket opposite. Tiger closed his eyes coyly. He was wasting his time. Mirza is also a tom-cat. A shock awaited Tiger and Leo at first. Show officials decreed they should sit apart in different cages. It took ten minutes of howling with all the effects (reproachful look in the yes, ears flattened) to put that right. Such cattiness . . .
[MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT CLUB] RARE VARIETIES OF CATS ON SHOW. MIDLAND CLUB’S AWARDS Birmingham Daily Post, 25th October 1951
Two hundred cats from many parts of England were in competition yesterday at the Midland Counties Club at the Friends’ Institute, Moseley Road, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1902 to promote the welfare of the cat and a growing membership indicates an increased interest among owners and breeders. Yesterday’s entry included uncommon varieties such as Abyssinian and Burmese, as well as the popular longhair and Siamese breeds. The club is encouraging interest in lesser-known breeds, such as silver tabbies and short-hair whites were at one time becoming extinct. Club shields were awarded as follows:-
Best long-hair cat: Mrs D. Herod, Lichfield, white orange-eyed male (Ch. Carreg Cracker).
Best long-hair kitten: Mrs M.E. Kirkus, Heswall Hills, Cheshire, blue-cream female (Suncroft Nefertitit),
Best short-hair cat: Mrs O.M. Lamb, Halesowen, Siamese seal-pointed male (Ch. Morris Tudor).
Best short-hair kitten: Mrs O.M. Lamb, Siamese seal-pointed male (Pincop Simon).
Best neuter cat: Miss H.A. Crosher, Leicester, long-hair (Pyleigh Peter).
[MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT CLUB] CHAMPION LONG-HAIR CAT. MUCKLEY CORNER EXHIBITOR'S SUCCESS Lichfield Mercury, 26th October 1951
At the Midland Counties Cat Club Championship Show, at Birmingham on Wednesday, Mrs. D. Herod, of Muckley Corner, gained the award of best long-hair cat with her orange-eyed white Persian "Champion Carreg Cracker". The animal also gained another Challenge Certificate which makes a total, of five certificates the cat has been awarded. "Cracker" has now been best long-haired cat at five championship shows held at London, Nottingham and Birmingham.
[MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT CLUB] CHAMPION CATS Leamington Spa Courier, 2nd November 1951
At the Midland Counties Cat Club Championship Show, held at the Friends’ Institute, Mosely Road, Birmingham, on October 24th, two Blue Pointed Siamese kittens, Castlewood Pyper and Castlewood Pippin, owned and bred by Mrs I.G.T. Gallini, of Stratford Road, Warwick, gained two first and two second awards.
1951 NEWBURY CAT SHOW
[NEWBURY CAT CLUB SHOW] Biggleswade Chronicle, 2nd November 1951
At the Newbury Club Championship Cat Show at Reading, Mrs. F. W. Western, of Biggleswade, was awarded seven first prizes, four championships, and cups for best kitten in show and best shorthair in show.
1951 CROYDON CAT SHOW
[CROYDON CAT CLUB SHOW] ‘MONGREL’ CAT IS CUP WINNER Leicester Evening Mail, 15th November 1951
“Pinewood Brumas,” a cat of doubtful parentage, belonging to 12-year-old Roger Parker, of The Woodlands, Cropston, has again shaken the experts by winning a prize, although be all the rules it is a “mongrel.” The British Short-Haired White cat, with unusual blue eyes, had a green-eyed, white-haired mother and a tortoiseshell father, but experts are hailing it as an outstanding specimen of breed it has assumed. At the Croydon Cat Club silver jubilee show in London, the president, Lady Aberconway, personally selected “Pinewood Brumas” as the animal meriting her silver cup.
[Note: Probably tortoiseshell mother, white father. In the post-war period, typey cats were accepted into breeds to expand gene pools; many were probably offspring of lost pedigree pets. ]
1951 TORQUAY CAT SHOW
TORQUAY CAT SHOW Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 15th November 1951
Torquay's only show this year of Pedigree and Household Cats, Saturday next, November 17th, at Pengelly Hall, Torwood Street, in conjunction with Torquay Fanciers' Show of Rabbits and Pigeons.
1951 GLASGOW CAT SHOW
[GLASGOW] GINGER WINS AGAIN.– Milngavie and Bearsden Herald, 24th November 1951
At the Cat Show, held in the Christian Institute, Glasgow, “Ginger," the Bearsden veteran cat (19} years of age), belonging to Mrs. Grant, Douglas Gardens, Bearsden, was again a winner. One of his prizes was silver spoon awarded to the oldest cat in the show. The judge, Miss K. Yorke, also awarded him a prize in the household pets section. Other prizes also came to Bearsden. Miss J. F. G. Brownlie, Station Road, had a first for Topsy, her household pet and prize for a litter of kittens, which attracted much attention owing to their “kittenish" behaviour.
1951 YORKSHIRE COUNTY CAT CLUB SHOW
[YORKSHIRE COUNTY CAT CLUB SHOW] PRACTICAL CATS Yorkshire Evening Post, 28th November 1951
The Yorkshire County Cat Club's show, at York next Saturday, is a more democratic affair than you might suppose from the appearance and aloof manners some of the county cats who will attend. There are blue-pointed aristocrats in pedigree classes (the points referred to are the head and paws), but there are also scratch classes for humbler entrants such as farm cats, cafe cats, office cats and warehouse cats. These simple honest, working cats are judged not on points but on condition, cleanliness and their own abilities. Last year two firsts and several specials in these classes were won by a cat belonging to the caretaker of the drill hall where the show takes place. This was an unassuming grey cat which was persuaded to enter at the last moment, without previous preparation and against Its natural modesty, but this year it is not sure if it belongs the drill hall or the drill hall belongs to it.
[YORKSHIRE COUNTY CAT CLUB SHOW] HIGH STANDARD AT YORKS CLUB SHOW Yorkshire Evening Post, 1st December 1951
Apart from a stewardess being bitten by a blue-pointed Siamese, there was nothing sensational in the Yorkshire County Cat Club Show at York today, but there was a high standard of entry, especially among farm cats, office cats, cafe cats, warehouse cats and common or garden cats who formed the household section. "The household cats are up to the standard the pedigree cats in cleanliness and condition," said one of the judges, Mr. John Proud, Fairfax Avenue, Drighlington, who had travelled from Leeds with his own cream Persian tom sitting on his shoulder and enjoying the view out of the bus window. Mr. Proud ought to know. Wearing a white coat and carrying a bowl of disinfectant, he examined the cats' coats, gazed Into their eyes, ears and mouths and even smelled their breath.
There were Siamese cats looking as If they had been lightly baked in quick oven, princely silver tabbies, red tabbies like Ted Ray's ginger tom, a brace of gracefully animated snowdrifts who form part of the decor of an art and craft shop in the Shambles, and a strong body of lordly Persians, looking if they owned all the oil in Abadan. In the meantime they were addressed their first names - such Galtres Misty Pearl, Townfield Randy, Holmewood Snook, Gretta’s Evening Star, Hello Blue Martin, or Ladybay Wee Smasher - and kept happy and amused by stewardesses in white overalls adorned with embroidered caps and Inscriptions such as "To know them is to love them." All this did not prevent a stewardess from being bitten by one of them.
Mr George Bolton, of Oakworth, near Keighley, who bred cats before the war and sold several at 50 guineas, told me how to prepare cats for show. First catch your cat. Then bath in warm water and soap-flakes. If it is an exceptionally cooperative cat you can do this single-handed. Then rinse it in warm water and vinegar. Then rinse It again with a blue rinse. Then put it by the fire in a towel-cloaked box. Then give it a going over with electric hair-drier. Then comb It. Then brush it, possibly with a bran dressing. Then polish it with a velvet cloth. Then put a bib on It to keep its little tummy clean. It Is all ready for the show. Mr. Bolton once had all the entrances of his cat hutches lined with brushes so that the cat brushed Itself every time it went In and out - a dodge he picked up from a rabbit show.
[YORKSHIRE COUNTY CAT CLUB SHOW] BEATEN ON HIS HOME PITCH Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 3rd December 1951
When the Yorkshire County Cat Club's show closed York Saturday there was one disappointed oat left sitting alone iIn his cage. He was Vicky, a seven-year-old tabby, who lives in the Drill Hall where the show was held. Earlier the year, when the Cat Show first intruded on his domain, he was exhibited in the household cats' class. Fighting on his home ground against cats from all parts of Yorkshire, he emerged triumphant with the title of the best non-pedigree cat in the show. But on Saturday, Vicky, the pride of the Drill Hall, managed to scrape home with only a third in the veteran pets' class. Consolation came towards the end of the show, however, for Vicky scored a minor triumph as a photographer's model. A picture him taken by his owner was awarded first prize in the non-pedigree class.
[YORKSHIRE COUNTY CAT CLUB SHOW] 15 AWARDS FOR CAT Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 3rd December 1951
One of the exhibits at the Yorkshire County Cat Club's show at the Tower Street Drill Hall, York on Saturday, won for Mrs. F. E. Taylor of Scarcroft, near Leeds, seven first prizes, seven specials and the trophy for the best long haired female in the show. An entry by Mrs. O. Budd. of Knaresborough, won trophies for the best short-haired exhibit, best exhibit, the best neuter, the best colour except blue and the best British shorthaired cat. Other cup winners were Mrs G Snowden, Patrlngton, near Hull, best blue cream adult and best long-haired male; P. Waring. London, best kitten; and G. Bolton, Keighley, best long-haired kitten.
[YORKSHIRE COUNTY CAT CLUB SHOW] Halifax Evening Courier, 3rd December 1951
Among the first prizewinners at the Yorkshire County Cat Club Show, at York, on Saturday, was Mr. R. Pedley, of Halifax.
1951 BEXHILL CAT SHOW
[BEXHILL CAT SHOW] Eastbourne Herald, 1st December 1951
Larry, the 14-years-old cat retired from duty at a local cinema, obtained second prize in the Bexhill Cat Show on Wednesday for the best cat over 10 years of age. Wilverley Mini, the property of Mrs Home, superintendent of the Eastbourne branch of Our Dumb Friends’ League, secured third prize as the best Siamese cat in the show.
1951 SOUTHSEA CAT CLUB SHOW
[SOUTHSEA CAT CLUB] HOUSEHOLD PET CAT SHOW Portsmouth Evening News, 20th November 1951
A P.D.S.A. Xmas Market, Connaught Hall. Enter now; many prizes. Apply Mrs Butler, 154 Highland Rd. Phone 32936.
[SOUTHSEA CAT CLUB / P.D.S.A. XMAS MARKET] Portsmouth Evening News, 1st December 1951
[. . .] Other attractions included a household pet cat show.
[SOUTHSEA CAT CLUB / P.D.S.A. XMAS MARKET] CITY CAT CLUB SHOW REVIVED Portsmouth Evening News, 4th December 1951
Southsea Cat Club’s show, held in connexion with the Christmas Market of Portsmouth Dispensary for Sick Animals, was the first Club show to be-held in the City for 13 years. The judge, Mrs. Audrey Cook-Radmore, who last week acted in a similar capacity at Croydon and Torquay shows, said that many of the cats exhibited were as good as any she had handled in London or the provinces. Mrs. Trefor Williams travelled from Hinchley Wood to act as steward, and Mrs. Pannell (Portchester), and Mrs. Jenner (Hayling Island) assisted the new Secretary (Mrs. Butler, of EastneyJ, in managing the show. Results were:-
Pedigree Cats. 1. Mrs. Ivey's Pasha (blue Persian); 2. Mrs. C. L. Kill's Charles (Siamese); 3. Mr. Davis’s Donnis Berlz (Siamese).
Pedigree Kittens. 1. Miss Woodifield’s Hathaway Hyacinth (blue Persian); 2. Mrs Woodifield’s Fanifold Moonstone (cream Persian); 2, Miss Ellis’s Parkwood Sally.
Pedigree short-hair Kittens. 1. Mrs. Worlex's Meipe Chi-Mih (Siamese); 2. Mrs. Parish's Perena (Siamese); 3. Miss Keest's Taigi Maral (Siamese).
Household Cat. 1. Mrs. Souter’s Tebby; 2. Mrs Richards Smokey Joe; 3. Mrs. Law’s Pompey.
Household, long-hair. 1. Mrs. Todd’s Fluffy, and Mrs. Vincent’s entry (tied); 3. Mrs Sherwood’s Smokey Ginger; 4. Mrs, Waldron’s Smokey Joe.
Household Kitten. 1. Mrs Jordan’s Baby; 2. Miss Pyle’s Mickey, and Mrs. Hutchings’ Sandy; 4. Mrs Diddam’s Boysey and Mrs Cardon’s Smut (tied).
1951 NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW
[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] various, 4th December 1951
Pikha Shar Jehan, a two-years-old Siamese cat, paid his first visit to London to-day when owner Air Commodore F. J. Vincent brought him from Woking (Surrey) to the 55th championship National Cat Club show at Seymour Hall, St Marylebone. Shar did not like the idea. He took one look at the interior of the hall and the other 300 cats and decided that a tour of the West End would be more exciting. With one bound he escaped from the arms of the “vet,” through the open doors and made off in the direction of Marble Arch. Willing helpers searched areas and squares in the neighbourhood without finding a trace of Shar. Commodore Vincent returned to the hall thinking he had seen the last of Shar, but on the way to his car he spied a child sitting on the doorstep of an empty mansion in Bryanston Place with Shar contentedly purring in her lap. Shar cooled down in his exhibition cage and in spite of his adventure carried off two second prizes, two "very highly commended" and a fourth place.
[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] A NATIONAL CHAMPION Lichfield Mercury, 7th December 1951
"Carreg Cracker", an orange-eyed white Persian, owned by Mrs. D. Herod, of Muckley Corner, was awarded the title of best in show at the 55th annual championship of the National Cat Club at Seymour Hall, London, on Tuesday. In addition, "Carreg Cracker" won his class. An offer followed for the champion to appear in Wednesday's television programme but Mrs. Herod had to refuse the invitation in order to bring the cat back to Lichfield. After the award, made by a panel of 10 judges, it was announced over the microphones that the cat was the best in the country.
[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] VALUABLE PET Worthing Herald, 7th December 1951
Valuable pet of 2-and-a-half-year-old Pauline Pullen, daughter of Mr and Mrs J. N. Pullen of 40 Meadowview-road, Sompting, is Jewel of Dunesk, who won a first and several other prizes in the National Cat Club's one-day show in London on Tuesday when this photograph of Pauline and her pet was taken. Jewel of Dunesk, a seven-month-old blue Persian kitten, cost Mrs Pullen 20 guineas, but she has already won a great deal more than that in prize money. Jewel's record to date is a total of 30 prizes, in which there were 13 firsts, seconds and thirds in four shows. On Tuesday Jewel's total was one first, three seconds, a third and a fourth. At present she cannot be entered for championship classes which are for adult cats over nine months old.
[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] BEST CAT AT NATIONAL SHOW Walsall Observer, 8th December 1951
The best exhibit in the 55th show of the National Cat Club at Seymour Hall, London, on Tuesday was champion Carreg Cracker, a beautiful orange-eyed, long-haired, male adult Persian cat, owned by Mrs D Herod of “Cleveland,” Muckley Corner. It also took first prize for the best orange-eyed white in the show. There were 1347 entries.
[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] PET CAT A REAL CHAMPION Lichfield Mercury, 14th December 1951
To say that champion Carreg Cracker which last week won the title of the best cat in the country at the National Cat Club Show in London, arrived by accident is, perhaps, a slight exaggeration. Nevertheless it contains more than a grain of truth. But for an illness Mrs. D. Herod, of Muckley Corner, might instead have had a dog. Mr. Herod tells me that his wife, who has always been an animal lover, after recovering from an illness, wanted to return to having a pet around the house. Her first choice was a dog but during her convalescence she realised that she would be unable to exercise it properly. Instead Mr. Herod bought her a Persian cat, which proved to be an exceptionally fine one. Mrs. Herod then began to breed the cat and in due course Carreg Cracker arrived, as near perfection as makes no matter. Although large fees have been offered for Carreg Cracker's use at stud, Mr. and Mrs. Herod have turned them down. He has been loaned only to fellow enthusiasts. Mr. Herod insists that the cat is purely a pet and a hobby and not a money-making enterprise.
[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] CAT FROM MUCKLEY CORNER WINS FAME Staffordshire Advertiser, 14th December 1951
Muckley Corner has won fame with a cat. But this is no ordinary, stay-out-all-night sort of feline. Blessed with the name of Carreg Cracker, she (or should it be he), is a real aristocrat. [Note: some people refer to all cats as “she”) She is an orange-eyed white Persian, and down in London the other day she purred contentment when she was placed in front of all other cats entered for the 55th annual championship of the National Cat Club. What must have been the crowning moment her life came when a panel of 10 judges gave her the distinction of being the best cat in the country. Cat-lovers would probably have seen Carreg Cracker on their television sets, but her owner, Mrs. D. Herod, had to decline the offer because the champion had to accompany her back to Muckley Corner.
1951 EAST OF SCOTLAND CAT SHOW
[EAST OF SCOTLAND CAT SHOW] CHAMPION CATS IN EDINBURGH SHOW Edinburgh Evening News, 15th December 1951
A couple of national champions, pedigree prize-winners from many parts of Scotland and England, and household pets were included in the entry of 75 at the Edinburgh and East of Scotland Cat Club in the Oddfellows' Hall, Forrest Road, to-day. One of the aristocrats of the show, a male tortoiseshell champion, L ongovicus Smutz, exhibited by Mrs Morland, attracted considerable attention, as did the other champion, Taishun Jasmin, an Abyssinian, shown by Mr and Mrs Oswald. Visitors were also keenly interested in the 20-year-old Ginger, exhibited by Mrs Grant, of Glasgow, entered in the veteran class. It was a happy thought by the organisers to borrow a puma from the Zoological Park, the idea that being cat enthusiasts would be able to see at close quarters the similarity in features between the big wild "cat" and the ordinary domestic variety.
[EAST OF SCOTLAND CAT SHOW] DISTINCTION FOR ALFORD. WHY HAS ABERDEEN NO CAT SHOW? Aberdeen Evening Express, 21st December 1951
The village of Alford, Aberdeenshire. has become famous in the Scottish cat world, since the East of Scotland Cat Show at Edinburgh. Two cats from the district carried off champion tickets at their first appearance at that show. Spotlight Piccolo, a beautiful Siamese kitten, owned by Mrs John S. McKenzie, Kingsford House, Alford, won three first prizes and a cup for the best shorthair in the show. Whitehaugh Cinderella, a British short-haired, blue-eyed cat owned by Mrs H. Challoner, Whitehaugh, Alford, won two first prizes. Mrs McKenzie brought seven month-old Spotlight Piccolo to Alford a month ago. She is the first of the Festival of Britain champion litter to come this far north.
Piccolo’s sire was Chonbost YoYo, a renowned British champion. In her own short existence she has won prizes at all the major cat show in England at which she has been exhibited.
“There is such a tremendous interest in cats in the North-east of Scotland, particularly in Siamese cats, that I am surprised that Aberdeen has no cat show,” says Mrs McKenzie, who has recently moved to Alford from Lochrosque Estate, Achnasheen, Ross-shire. “I have a waiting list for Siamese kittens at present, and all the people on it are from Aberdeenshire. Surely people here with good pedigree cats want to show them. A cat section at the New Year’s Day Dog Show would be ideal,’’ she says.
Spotlight Piccolo is a queen of her kind. She has the extremely light cream coat which is the fashion for Siamese cats at present. She has a perfectly straight tail and beautifully shaped head with blue eyes, brown ears, paws and tail. She is even regal in her associations. While she is on friendly terms with Mrs McKenzie’s labrador, which came from the King's stud, she looks down her pretty nose at the family’s Alsatian. Nor will she condescend to be polite to Sandra, the other Siamese cat in the household, who, however, is consoled with the thought of kittens in January.