REPORTS FROM THE EARLY BRITISH CAT SHOWS 1952

REPORTS FROM EARLY BRITISH CAT SHOWS 1952

1952 NOTTS AND DERBY CAT CLUB

[NOTTS AND DERBY CAT CLUB] CAT SHOW Derby Daily Telegraph, 8th January 1952
Derby's first cat show will be staged at the Drill Hall Becket-street on Friday when 170 pedigree cats of all kinds will on view. Cats from all over the country have been entered for the show and altogether there are 723 entries by 93 exhibitors. Siamese, Abyssinian, the rare Burmese and Russian Blue will be included among the short-haired varieties, and in the long-haired types there will be Blue Persians, Chinchillas, White and Black Persians, Blue Creams, Reds and several others. Promoted by the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Cat Club, which has a membership of nearly 200, the show has previously been staged In Nottingham. This year however the promoters thought there was sufficient interest to warrant the show's being held in Derby. The show will be held under the rules of the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy - the counterpart of the Kennel Club for dogs. There are 30 different kinds of pedigree cats, but there may be some scope at the show for the more familiar fireside cat.

[NOTTS AND DERBY CAT CLUB] CHAMPION CATS AT MIDLAND SHOW Birmingham Daily Gazette, 12th January 1952
A Birmingham exhibitor, Mrs. L. Dyer, of Oakfield Road, Selly Park, won the championship award for cream male cat with Follerton Talisman at the Notts and Derbyshire cat show at Derby yesterday. Mrs. D. Herod (Lichfield) won first prize in the section for cream female kittens.

cat show

[NOTTS AND DERBY CAT CLUB] A GOOD SHOW, BUT WHERE WERE NON-PEDIGREES Derby Daily Telegraph, 15th January 1952
Reports about last week's cat show at Derby prove it to have been the most successful of the seven annual shows so far organised by the Notts and Derbyshire Cat Club. There was a record number of both exhibitors and visitors and considering that the show has always before been held at Nottingham where you would expect attendances at least to be very much bigger than at Derby this is very surprising and gratifying. The result, says the club's secretary Mrs M E Bastow, of West Bridgford Notts, is that next year's show will most probably again be held at Derby. The show had, of course, the attraction of novelty. Derby cat-lovers who have never been able to get to London or Nottingham for one of the bigger shows had been looking forward to It eagerly since it was first announced last autumn. For local owners of pedigrees who do not make a practice of exhibiting, it was a chance to show their pets without the difficult job of transporting them long distances.

One Derby person exhibiting pet for the first time was Miss L Pettitt matron of Derbyshire Hospital for Women, whose cat Kim, a blue long-haired neuter, won a second prize. This, says Miss Pettitt, was in a small class; she was more proud of a "highly commended" won by Kim in a larger class. The assistant matron at the hospital Miss E M Farmer also entered a cat, a blue-cream, which won a third prize. Miss Pettitt, who is a member of the Notts and Derbyshire Cat Club, says she never expected that Kim would be successful. The experts say that his nose is too long and his ears a little too big for perfection, and his owner confesses that she chose him not for his points as a pedigree but for the engaging look he had. Kim is a cat well known to Derby women who have been In the Derbyshire Hospital for Women.

"He is an affectionate, friendly cat" says Pettitt, "and occasionally he follows me into the wards. For some reason I don't know, this is always on a Sunday."

Miss Pettitt thought Derby's first cat show very good. In particular she approved of the fact that there was plenty of room to move between rows of pens and plenty of light.

As a newcomer to cat shows, the only part that disappointed me was the non-pedigree household pet section which attracted a mere three entries of which a lonely one was a local puss. Considering the number of people you meet who say that their mongrel is the most unusual ever, very beautiful, often taken for a pedigree, and the like, you would think scores of people would rush to display their feline wonders. Maybe in sober family conference, they have sneaking doubts about the pre-eminence of their cats.

This is a pity. For myself, after looking carefully at all three pets, I was sure our cat would have stood a good chance. Despite the fact that he is the most magnificent of mongrels, we decided not to enter him because looking at him impartially, we thought that even the best of cats could not help being past his prime at the ripe age of 13 (I felt very smug when one of the show managers pointed to a pedigree: "Marvellous cat" he said, "I believe it actually 11.") Perhaps next year we'll enter him. At any rate I hope that if the show is held at Derby, a good many more local owners of mongrels will have enough faith them to put them on show.

The most amusing incident I saw at the show was a conversation in front of a pen housing a pedigree which was protected from the cold in a knitted jacket cleverly shaped and decorated with a smart design. Said one woman to another: "Well I'll send you the pattern when I get home."

[NOTTS AND DERBY CAT CLUB] DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE CAT SHOW Derby Daily Telegraph, 17th January 1952
For many months I had awaited with interest the advertised first-ever cat show Derby. As I cannot attend the larger shows held In London I was looking forward seeing some of the entries which would otherwise be only photographs to me. I was lucky In that I obtained time off from my place of employment and arrived at the show just after 5 o'clock. I observed that the show was to remain open to the public from 1.30 pm to 6 pm and I thought that by arriving at 5 o'clock it would give me ample time to view each entry before the show was officially closed. You can imagine my disappointment when I found that more than half the entries had already been taken away and for every one entry left I passed four or five empty cages. I did not object to paying the entrance money at all but I do think that if these shows are held then it is up to the people showing their animals to keep them there until the show is officially closed. If they come from so very far away that they must leave early then surely the show should be closed earlier and not advertised to the public as remaining open until 6 o'clock. I was extremely delighted with the entries which were still there, but I would have liked to see them all and consequently came away a DISAPPOINTED CAT LOVER.

Another letter of protest has been received from "F.C.K."

Mrs M.E. Bastow. Of West Bridgford, Notts., secretary of the Notts Derbyshire Cat Club states: "We very sorry that people coming to the show late were disappointed by not seeing all the entries. Exhibitors have to pay 2s 6d and obtain special permission to take their cats away early. We would all like to leave them in their pens till the end of shows, but we have get home and there is the difficulty of trains Many of the exhibitors came from London and there were others from the North'.

[NOTTS AND DERBY CAT CLUB] WANTED TO SHOW THEIR "MONGRELS" Derby Daily Telegraph, 17th January 1952

In reference to the Derby Joan article on the cat show I should like to point out that, in my opinion, the reason why there were so few "domestic pet" entries was not because of the owners' "sneaking doubts about the pre-eminence of their cats," but because of the insufficient and half-hearted advertisement for any such entries. Several people have told me that they would certainly have entered their "mongrels" had they known where and when to do so. PENELOPE GIBSON ,93 Kedleston-road, Derby.
"Another Cat Lover" says in a letter to the Editor that "we would like to show our fireside pets if encouraged."

[NOTTS AND DERBY CAT CLUB] CHAMPION CAT Nottingham Evening Post, 22nd January 1952
I was interested to hear some details of the Notts. and Derbys. Cat Club from Mrs. M. Anderton, of Nottingham. It was formed eight years ago by four people. To-day, it has over 200 members. Their championship show, held in Derby this year, was the most successful yet. Among the exhibits was an outstanding five-month-old cream Persian kitten, Starkey Nugget, shown by Mrs. Oakley, of Tollerton, which gained five first prizes, three special prizes, and a ribbon for being the best in the show.

CAT SHOW REGRETS Derby Daily Telegraph, 5th February 1952
It has been brought to our notice only during the past few days that there had some disappointed visitors to the recent Notts and Derbyshire Cat Club show held in Derby on January 11. We should like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Derby and district for supporting the show, and regret very much any disappointment caused to those who came after some of the long-distance exhibitors had removed their cats. Should the club hold another show in Derby, this matter, we hope, will be remedied. F C TOMLINSON & J H A MARTIN, Joint show managers

1952 SOUTHERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB

[SOUTHERN COUNTIES CAT SHOW] Eastbourne Herald, 2nd February 1952
A tortoiseshell Persian cat, Pekeholm Pomona, has, during the past six months, gained three championship awards for its owner, Mrs Tomlinson. of Willingdon. At the Festival Cat Show Westminster last year and at the Southern Counties Cal Show in London last Monday, it was adjudged the best long haired cat in the show.

[SOUTHERN COUNTIES CAT SHOW] BEAUTIFUL CATS Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, 8th February 1952
Successful exhibitors at the Southern Championships show for Siamese cats in London on Monday were Mrs M Burgess of 16 Tudor Drive Otford and Mrs Varcoe of Greenhill Road Otford. Mrs Burgess's entry was Bynes Romeo which won a certificate of merit for the best male in the show. "England," said Mrs Burgess to a "Chronicle" reporter, "breeds the best Siamese cats in the world. A cat which can win a prize in this country would certainly win in America." One of Mrs Burgess's cats has been exported to South Africa and another may shortly go to America. Bynes Romeo has now won two certificates of merit but has to gain a third before he can be described as a" champion." Some time ago Mrs Burgess decided not to enter him for an important show but he has since beaten the winner at that show. Mrs Varcoe's successes were for the best male kitten and the best female both three to six months old.

cat show

[SOUTHERN COUNTIES CAT SHOW] Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, 15th February 1952
Our picture is of Esperance Bandoola an eight month old Siamese cat which won first prize in his open class at the Southern Countries Cat Club championship show in London. He also won third and very highly commended in other classes. Bandoola, who was exhibited by his owner and breeder Mrs M. Keane, of Rosemary Cottage, Ide Hill, is a so of the champion Clonlost Yo-Yo bred by Mrs M. Burgess of Otford, whose success at the same exhibition with Bynes Romeo was reported in our last issue. At the Siamese Cat Club show last October, Bandoola won several wards.

SOUTHERN COUNTIES CH. SHOW Fur and Feather, Rabbits and Rabbit Keeping, February 14, 1952.
Mrs. E. Kent's Classes.
The last championship show of the season was, as always, an enjoyable event, success¬fully managed by Mrs. K. R. Williams. Con¬gratulations and also my most grateful thanks to my efficient and painstaking steward, Mrs Price, one of the best stewards 3 have ever had. At this time of the year, Siamese kittens are few and, apart from the few winners, were not very good. Adults were mostly on the dark side but generally in lovely condition. Far too many kinks, and bad ones too, are appearing in tails again and it is high time some definite ruling be arrived at about it, otherwise we shall be back where we were years ago complete with the hooks and pom-poms.

S.P. KITTEN. 3-6 MTHS., MALE: 1 Varcoe's Sukiang Sirocco, good long head, glorious eye colour, dense points with pale cream even body colour, superlative whip tail, afterwards best S.H. kitten in show, shown in perfect condition and difficult to fault; 2 Dadd's Sabukia Simba, excellent type with excellent breadth of head between the ears, lovely eyes, not yet at his best; 3 Burgess' Clonlost Calypso, good, but eyes might be deeper, good whip tail; 4 Whiting's Maiz-Mor-Mikado, excellent eye colour and good type, rather crabby today and did not like handling; r Calvert-Jones; vhc Russell; hc Calvert-Jones; abs., Gunn, Whiting, Arthur.
S.P. KITTEN. 3-6 MTHS., FEMALE: 1 Varcoe's Sukiang Sea Breeze, litter sister to winning male, not quite so good as her brother, eyes could be deeper, dense points and long whip tail; 2 Appleyard's Sabukia Samba, good head and well set ears, excellent eye colour, kink in tail; 3 Francis' Banchor Penelope, good but too small to compete with other exhibits, good type and should do well, lovely condition; r Parish; abs. Whitelam, McPherson. Several kittens in this class would have been in the money but for bad condition with haw up.
S.P. KITTEN. 6-9 MTHS., MALE; 1 Keane's Esperance Bandoola, very good type, good head and tail, but inclined to be heavy, rather pale eyes; 2 Parker's Ridgway Trinculo, excellent head and good tail, rather dark, good eye colour; 3 Arthur's Martial Sir Morgan, brindled and too fat, slightly pinched; r Stubbs; vhc Barrow. Abs., Whiting, Hewlett.
S.P. KITTEN. 6-9 MTHS., FEMALE: 1 Keene's Killdown Mira, good shaped head and whip tail, lovely body colour, eyes could be deeper; 2 Whiting's Malz-Mor-Morai, well-shaped head, dense points, excellent eyes, kink in tail; 3 Howe's Hillcross Finley, rather pinched in muzzle and ears too much on top of head; abs., Calvert-Jones; Arthur.
CHOC.-POINTED. 3-9 MTHS.: 1 Williams, in litter, good type and tail, eyes pale; 2 Peek's Penruddocke Cornflower, fails to winner in type, beautiful texture of coat and lovely colouring but too cobby in shape.
A.V. NOVICE. 3-9 MTHS.: 1 S. Sirocco; 2 S. Sea Breeze; 3 E. Bandoola; 4 C. Calypso; r Whiting; vhc France; hc Towe; absent, Weatherley, Arthur, White.
A.C. SIAMESE LITTER: 1 Dunkerley's Seal-pointed, four males, two females, all in good condition, good type and points for their age; 2 Williams' Choc.-pointed, good type, points good, eyes might be deeper, excellent condition.
BROOD QUEEN: 1 Dadd's Sapphire Sally, good type queen with some good progeny to her credit; 2 Russell's Silken Letitia, good Siamese, progeny with glorious eyes but ears too close together; 3 Hargreaves' Laurentide Ephtoosene Russian Blue of good type with two good kittens; r Marguerite of Silverleigh.
A.V. LIMIT: 1 Hindley's Inwood Dawn, young male of excellent type, warm colour¬ing and excellent eye colour, points well defined, tail short, rather bristling today and difficult to handle, fine boned cat who should do well; 2 Keene's Southwood Gaylass, good queen, long head, slightly pinched muzzle, glorious eyes for colour, svelte body; 3 Lisle's Inwood Kym, excellent shaped head and good eye and body colour, tail spoiled by bad kink; r Russell; vhc Keene; c Butler.
A.V. BREEDERS: Towe's Hillcross Melody, beautiful queen of wonderful type, long, well-shaped head, good dense points but rather dark in body colour, eyes might be deeper; 2 Lamb's Pincop Simon, well-known winning kitten now an adult, brindled at muzzle and around the eyes, good head and well placed ears, wonderful body colouring and long whip tail, magnificent eye colour of densest blue, not yet at his best but should go far when he matures; 3 Francis' Chinki Ramya. has darkened a lot, still slightly pinched, excellent eyes and tail, off colour today; r Ross; vhc Stirling-Webb. Luard.
A.V. JUNIOR: 1 H. Melody; 2 P. Simon; 3 C. Ramya; 4 Hindley's Lemling Cathay, good dainty type female, coat patchy, good eyes; r Campbell's Regency Litu, young male of good type and colouring, well-shaped head; vhc Keene; he Lisle.– Elsie Kent.

1952 CHESHIRE SHOW

CHESHIRE SHOW Liverpool Echo, 5th June 1952
Champion cat of the show was owned by Miss S m Douglas, of Greenfields, Chester Road, Little Sutton.

CHESHIRE SHOW – MID-CHESHIRE WINNERS Winsford Chronicle, 14th June 1952
Cats. Any variety, non-pedigree: 2, Mrs A Davies, Davenham.

1952 STAFFORD SHOW

cat show

STAFFORD'S FIRST OPEN CAT SHOW Staffordshire Newsletter, 21st June 1952
Stafford's first Open Cat Show in conjunction with Rabbit, Bantams, Pigeons & Hamsters Show. Bailey Street Drill Hall, June 28th, 1952. To enter your Household Pet see J. E. BURROWS, Show Secretary, 70, Sidney Avenue, Stafford, for details.

INNOVATION OF FUR AND FEATHER SOCIETY. DISPLAY OF FELINE BEAUTY Staffordshire Newsletter, 5th July 1952
For the first time, a section for cats was Included in a show staged by the Stafford Fur and Feather Club at the Bailey-street Drill Hall on Saturday, and, although there was not a large entry, some fine cats were on view and attracted many visitors and a great deal of admiration. Mrs. O. Lambe expressed her pleasure at being asked to judge Stafford's first cat show and promised all possible assistance in the club's next venture in this direction, which it Is honed to stage later in the year.
Blue adult: 1, Mrs. J. Birch; 2, Mrs. Hyden; 3, Mrs. D.H. Harrington-Harvard.
Any variety, long hair: 1, Mrs. J. Birch; 2, Mrs. H. Hyden; 3, Mrs. D.H. Harrington-Harvard.
Long-haired kitten: 1, 2 and 3, Mrs. D.H. Harrington-Harvard.
Household pet: 1, Mrs. J. Birch; 2, Mrs. H. Hyden.

1952 KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB

cat show

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] CATS' DAY OUT Northern Whig, 14th July 1952
Thousands of London flat dwellers are now regularly exercising their cats on leads in London's parks. So it comes as no surprise that there is to be a deportment test for cats on leads. The judge will be Lady Aberconway, the author of "A Dictionary for Cat Lovers." The contest will be held at the Royal Horticultural Society's new hall at Westminster on July 30 at Britain's second festival for cats. Already 350 felines from all over Great Britain have been entered for this all-breed show organized by the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat club.

Each of the 28 known breeds of cats will be shown in 197 different classes. In the deport test the short-haired varieties stand the best chance of "strutting" off with the prizes. It has been found that cats such as the Siamese, Burmese and Manx varieties take most readily to this restricted form of exercise. The show will not be without its highlights. For the first time Burmese cats which have been born and reared in this country will be shown – and outstanding feat in the cat world. But at all events the show should throw new light on the cat world for those who regard the cat as merely a "mouser" or just a nuisance in the night.

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] THE SHOP CATS ARE GOING TO THE SHOW Kensington News and West London Times, 18th July 1952
Although the Annual Show of the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club is an illustrious affair to which distinguished highly bred cats come from all over the country to compete for cups and prizes, shop cats also have their part in it and two very famous Kensington cats, Gin-Gin and Mick, are already preening their fur and polishing their whiskers in readiness for July 30th which is the day the show will be held at the Royal Horticultural Society's new hall at Westminster (there is no hall in Kensington large enough). They will take part in the special Household Pets Section

Miss Kathleen Hale, author of the famous "Orlando" The Marmalade Cat books, is giving a signed copy of one of them for best marmalade cat in show or "Short-hair Reds" as they are called and Miss St. Hill Bourne, author of "They also Serve" about the work of animals in war-time is also giving a signed copy of this book in another class. Rachel Ferguson, President of the Club, is giving a copy of her "Royal Borough" for the best Seal-point Siamese resident in the Royal Borough and Mrs Blanche Anding of The Thackeray Bookshop a silver cup for best exhibit in the Kensington Classes. Miss Roma Ferguson is giving a silver cup for best British Short-hair and both she and Miss Rachel Ferguson are offering many prizes in the Household Pets Section. This section is to be judged by Miss St. Hill Bourne. Local entries will include "Gin-Gin" the orange tabby, property of Miss Jones of Warwick Gardens, and two cats and two kittens of Mr Clarke's of Golborne Road, N. Kensington, and a tabby "Mick" belonging to Mr Claude of Porchester Road. All of these, but Miss Jones's, are shop cats. Two competitors come from the North of England - a Yorkshire cat won Rachel Ferguson's cup last year.

350 cats from each of the 28 known breeds of cat, have been entered, but also there will be two additional attractions this year, one being the first of an annual competition for advertising posters in which cats are used as a medium for advertising, which is to be judged by public ballot. The other attraction will be Deportment Tests for Cats on Leads. This contest, which will be judged by Lady Aberconway, the well known author of a Dictionary for Cat Lovers, was suggested to the organisers by the fact that thousands of London flat dwellers now regularly exercise their cats on leads in the London parks. Although nearly all breeds of cats can be trained to walk on a lead, it has been found that the short hair varieties, such as the Siamese, Burmese, and Manx cats, take most readily to this form of exercise.

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] Kensington Post, 18th July 1952
Three hundred and fifty cats from all parts of the country will be brought to London for the one-day show. They will include a rare white Manx cat from Manchester. For the first time this year Burmese cats, which have been born and bred in this country, will be shown.

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] THE CAT WALK Daily Herald, 23rd July 1952
Only two women at-lovers turned up at Hyde Park, W., for a grand cat parade. It was to have been a preview of the "deportment" competition at London Cat Show next week.

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] A NEW IDEA Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph, 26th July 1952
The smart idea nowadays is not to "take the dog for a run," but the "take the cat for a stroll." Numbers of people are taking all manner of cats for walks on leads, and the increase has led organisers of a well-known cat show to institute a "Deportment test for cats on leads." It may be a humane idea to walk the cat out, if the creature is cooped up all day, but it seems extraordinary.

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] FESTIVAL OF CATS. NOTTS. DISTRICT COMPETITORS Nottingham Evening Post, 30th July 1952
Over 350 cats, representing all the 28 known breeds in the feline world, were in the Royal Horticultural Hall, Westminster, London, to-day, to be judged at the festival of cats, organised by the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club. A new attraction was a deportment test for cats on leads. Among cats at the festival were Abyssinians, Siamese, Russian Blues, Burmese, and the ordinary household tabbies and tortoiseshells. Maiz-Mor-Marquessa left Loughborough early to-day with nine other cats for the show. Two years, three months, Kessa, as she is called, who had left a litter of kittens behind at the home of her owner. Miss M. E. Lant, of 95, Frederick-street, Loughborough, carried off a third prize at the festival for cats in which there were 350 other competitors.

Miss Lant's friend, Mrs. I. Lapper, of 8, Albert-place, Loughborough, was too late to enter her litter of kittens. They were on show, but were not part of the exhibition because their taxi driver overslept, their car broke a back spring, and they had to return for another taxi. On arrival in London they couldn't find their way to the hall. When they did get there at 10 o'clock Miss Lant was in time to enter her cat, but entries for the litter classes were closed." It has been an expensive day, but I am glad I came just the same'' Mrs. Lapper told a Post reporter.

Miss D. A. Anderton, of 131 Radford-boulevard, Nottingham and Miss M. E. Schofield, of Brentwood, Clifton-lane, Ruddington, were luckier - and earlier. They started their trip to London at 3 a.m. with Starkey Supremacy (Sue, out of the show cage); Starkey Rob Roy (Robby, to be familiar) - both belonging to Miss Anderton - and a litter of four Glenfields – Talison, Maybelle, Suzette and Winsome. Sue, a blue Persian, was given a reserve prize in two classes and the litter gained two third prizes and very highly commended.

cat show

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] Daily Herald, 31st July 1952
Cats which broadcast. Cat mannequins. Cats which carry newspapers and fetch their masters' slippers. They were all at the annual Cat Festival of the Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club at the Royal Horticultural Hall, W., yesterday. But a basketful of quintuplets born just 2 and a half months ago swept everything before them, landing five first, four seconds and other awards. They were Ufcombe Sonny, Simon, Sunrise, Sunset and Sunshine. Mrs C.N. Douglas of Cullomptom, Devon, had no idea of entering at shows till they were born to Dainton Queen (her family pet).

While Ufcombe Sonny, etc., were raking in the prizes, there was a deportment competition. But most of the entries had their own ideas on catty deportment. The winner of the main deportment parade was Dunlee Kera, who quizzed everybody on the platform as if judging the humans. Second was smoky Hallow Charlies Boy, who had a real fashion parade air until a photographer's flash made her jump. The third, black Satin Boy, sat facing the audience and had to be tugged away from the middle of the stage. It was enough to make a cat laugh.

KENSINGTON CAT SHOW Kensington News and West London Times, 1st August 1952
The Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club's second Festival for Cats, held at the Royal Horticultural Society's New Hall in Westminster on Wednesday attracted a great many entries and a large crow of onlookers. Some of the loveliest cats I have ever seen were on view, and the judges' task of picking out the winners I the various classes was not an enviable one. Curiously enough there were very few local exhibitors among the many who brought their pets along, despite the fact that this was a Kensington show. The big star of the occasion was undoubtedly "Stonor Spiv," a pin-up boy in the feline world, who has won many awards. As he lay in his luxurious basket with its bright blue blanket and curtains over the sides to keep him cool, Spiv was surrounded by admiring crowds. He however, seemed quite oblivious to their admiration and was obviously completely blasé. Now and then he opened his eyes to stare with haughty disdain at the crowd, but most of the time he ignored his worshippers' presence.

Other specimens which attracted a great deal of attention were the lovely Burmese cats. Their coat is a glorious shade of sable brown and they resemble the Siamese in appearance. However, the Burmese, like every other cat in the place seemed quite accustomed to being admired. Oddly enough, the cats at the show, unlike the two-legged species showed no jealousy if a rival carried off the prize. Obviously they were just too, too bored to care.

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] CAT FESTIVAL Westminster & Pimlico News, 1st August 1952
From all over the British Isles to the Royal Horticultural Society's New Hall, Westminster, came 350 cats on Wednesday for the second festival for cats organised by Kensington Kitten and Neuter Cat Club. They came from Edinburgh, Wiltshire, Somerset, Gloucester, Nottingham, Ipswich, Newport, and Monmouthshire. For the first time, this year Burmese cats which were born and bred in this country were shown. The Burmese is a most attractive animal, having a close, short coat which is a glorious shade of sable brown. "Not unlike the Siamese in shape," says an authority. "It is, however, not quite so noisy when singing its love songs!"

[KENSINGTON KITTEN AND NEUTER CAT CLUB] Derby Daily Telegraph, 14th August 1952
A Derby cat had a night out this week. When his mistress went with some friends to a local inn, the cat went too and despite surprised stares from dogs who realised their own right to there and people who realised that dogs may go where cats may not, he seemed to have quite a pleasant time. In London this sort of thing has been going on for quite a long time. The smart idea nowadays is not to "take the dog for a run" but to ‘‘take the cat for stroll." Dozens of people are taking all sorts of cats for walks on leads and the increase has led organisers of a London cat show to institute a "Deportment Test for Cats on Leads" (quite as silly as it seems). I suppose it's a humane Idea to take the cat out for a walk if it is cooped up in a small flat all day, but it does look rather extraordinary. Just in case you're interested, short-haired varieties of cats – Siamese, Burmese, Manx - make the best lead-walkers. And who knows the next local agricultural show might include a deportment competition for cats.

1952 BINGLEY SHOW

[BINGLEY SHOW] Bradford Observer, 14th August 1952
[Cat awards]
Long-haired blue male or female, adult: Mrs K Brough, Hessie.
Long-haired blue male or female, kitten under 9 months: E M Wilkinson, Keighley.
Long-haired a.o.c., male or female, adult: Miss R Chapman, York.
Long-haired a.o.c., male or female, kitten under 9 months: George Bolton, Oakworth.
Siamese, male or female, adult: Master A J Whitlam, Grimsby.
Siamese, male or female, kitten under 9 months: Mrs Harold Kitchen, Bradford.
Any variety British short-haired, male or female, adult: Mrs G M Budd, Knaresborough.
Any variety British short-haired, male or female, kitten, under 9 months: Miss M E Rabbitts, York.
Any variety Neuter: Miss M E Rabbitts.
Any variety household pet, any age: James Cobbold, Bingley.
Any variety novice, cat or kitten, male or female: Miss M E Rabbits.
Any variety brace, cat or kitten, male or female: Mrs E M Lavender, Knaresborough.
Any variety breeders, cat or kitten, male or female: Miss M E Rabbitts.
Open challenge, a.v. (except Siamese) cat, male or female: Mrs G M Budd.
Open challenge, a.v. (except Siamese) kitten under 9 months: George Bolton.
Open challenge, a.v. Siamese only, cat or kitten, male or female: Mrs Harold Kitchen.

YORKSHIRE COUNTY CAT CLUB CLASSES
Any variety long-haired, male or female, adult: Mrs Haggerty, Shipley.
Any variety long-haired, kitten, under 9 months: George Bolton.
A.V. Siamese, male or female, adult: Master A j Whitlam.
A.V. Siamese, kitten, under 9 months: Rev. and Mrs H B Priston, Barnsley.
A.V. short-haired, male or female, cat or kitten, except Siamese: Mrs G M Budd.
A.V. any age or sex, unregistered, any distance, cat or kitten: Mrs P E Taylor, Leeds.

1952 SANDY SHOW

[SANDY SHOW] NO CHAMPION CAT SHOW FOR SANDY SHOW THIS YEAR Biggleswade Chronicle, 16th May 1952
The general committee of Sandy Show were informed on Friday evening that the Governing Council of Cat Fancy had decided not to grant championship status to this year's cat show to held in conjunction with Sandy Show. An Open Cat Show is to be held at Sandy and members felt that this would be just as attractive as one with championship status, because many exhibitors, while showing their best cats at Olympia would bring their next best to Sandy.

[SANDY SHOW] ENTRIES LIKELY TO BE UP AT SANDY SHOW Bedfordshire Times and Independent, 1st August 1952
The cat show will be bigger than last year, despite the fact that this year no championship status has been granted by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. There will be ten more classes and eight judges instead of six to deal with the anticipated heavy entries. Among the classes wall some for British Blues, not previously catered for.

[SANDY SHOW] Bedfordshire Times and Independent, 29th August 1952
Although the total entries were down by nearly 1,000, a good deal of this could be explained by lower classifications among the dogs as an economy measure, and the fact that in 1951 the cat show had championship status, which was refused this year. An entry of 405 in the cat section against 498 last year, in these circumstances, was a remarkably fine effort. [. . .] The only local competitor in the cat section was Mrs K M Tipping, of Risborough Road, Bedford, who gained a first prize last year with her Siamese neuter, "Dekhi Tai." She repeated this success yesterday, and also gained a second prize with the same cat. Main judge of this section, Mis K Yorke, is the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, who has recently been judging in America.

[SANDY SHOW] Biggleswade Chronicle, 5th September 1952
With the exception of long-haired cats and kittens, the quality of the exhibits in the cat section was very good, was the judges' verdict. Mrs K m Tipping of Bedford secured a second award with her Siamese neuter "Dekki Tai" and Mrs J M Burlton of Keysoe gained 1st, 2nd, 3rd and reserve awards with her Siamese Seal Pointed "Ona Delta" and 2nd, two reserves and two vhc's with "Ona Alfa."

The best long-haired cat in the Show was "Champion Scamp of Allington" the property of MissE Langston of Maidenhead, whose "Laurel of Allington" was adjudged the best long-haired kitten. The best short-haired cat was "Wynperri Blue Prince," exhibited by Miss W R Harvey, of Colchester, Essex, and the best short-haired kitten was "Gaywood Shebel" owned by Mrs b Hewlitt of Norfolk. The best neuter in the Show was "Premier Dunloe Pavlovitch," a Russian Blue Persian, owned by Mis M E German of Felixstowe. [journalist means "Russian Blue" shorthair of course.]

1952 CRYSTAL CAT SHOW - CHILDREN'S CINEMA CLUB HEATS

cat show

LESS FORTUNATE NOT FORGOTTEN South Western Star, 13th June 1952
Every week children from the Putney Palace Junior Club bring gifts of flowers, books and toys for the children of Brocklebank, the L.C.C. home in Wandsworth. Many of the 900 members, whose ages range from seven to 15 years, are busy grooming their pet cats to enter them for a competition at the cinema on July 5th. Cats will be judged on health, cleanliness and general appearance, and the winners can enter for the Crystal Palace Cat show finals at the Olympia on August 22 and 23. One of the judges at the local competition will be an R.S.P.C.A. official.

CAT PARADE Hampstead News, 19th June 1952
Hampstead's cats, black ones, "Snowballs," tabbies and marmalade "Gingers," will prink and preen at a beauty parade to the Odeon Cinema, Swiss Cottage, at the end of the month. But though the contestants will be of every age, size and colour, they will all have one thing In common - each must be owned by a member of the cinema's Saturday children's club. Pedigrees will not count. The judges will give points for health, good coats, and cleanliness. The four winners will compete against 500 others from Odeon and Gaumont clubs throughout the country at the Olympia Crystal Cat Show in August. The king - or queen - of them all will get a championship trophy, and the runners-up, medals. The parade is being organised by the manager, Mr. Peter Hall. Kilburn cats will have their chance some time in July, when the manager of the Grange, Mr. L. Woodman, is arranging a similar parade.

CATS WILL GO TO CINEMA Chelsea News and General Advertiser, 20th June 1952
Gaumont, Chelsea, are organising a cat show in connection with the Saturday morning children's cinema club. Members who have cats are asked to bring them to the theatre for judging and the best four cats from each Gaumont or Odeon cinema club in London will go forward to the Crystal Cat Show to be held at Olympia on Friday and Saturday, August 22 and 23. In the Chelsea Club, judging will take place under the auspices of Our Dumb Friends League on Saturday afternoon, June 28.

It is not expected that members will have valuable pedigree cats, but the household black, white, tabby, ginger and mixed will be much in evidence. Pedigree will not count, but points will be given for cleanliness, healthy appearance, clear eyes, condition of coat and a look of being well cared for. On the back of the entry form there will [be] hints on how to show the cats at their best.

THE CINEMA CLUBS Norwood News, 27th June 1952
The cat competition at the Streatham Astoria Children's Club on Saturday nearly flopped through lack of cats. Only two girls turned up with their pets and the contest was declared "a tie." The two cats, "Fluffy," owned by 12-years-old Jean Bywaters, Fallsbrook-road, and "Timmy," owned by Diane Noble, also 12, who lives at Stockfield-road, Streatham, will be exhibited at the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia.

RSPCA MEN WERE PLEASED Norwood News, 27th June 1952
At South Norwood Odeon on Saturday, two beaming Inspectors made the round of inspection of 30 entries in the local beats of the Odeon Children's Cinema Club's cat show. Winners will compete in the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia in August. Cats of all shapes, ages and sizes were fussed over with great cate by their youthful owners. Most popular name, of course, was Tib. Some Tibs were fat and docile, some lean and naughty. In general they were well behaved and in good condition. Commented Inspectors J. Mulloy, of Addiscombe, and H. Sexton, of Sanderstead. Entries were generally good. One thing cat owners could improve on is the state of their pets' teeth, and they can do this by giving them more solid food such as meat. The winners were: Pauline Sims, Denmark-road, South Norwood, with "Tinker"; Rita Tyrie, Fullerton-road, South Norwoof, with "Boxer"; Patricia Ring, Dickinson-lane, South Norwood, with "Stoney"; Maurice McCarthy, Watcombe-road, South Norwood, with "Timmy."

CHILDREN'S CINEMA CLUB CAT SHOW Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette, 27th June 1952
Many members of the Odeon Deptford Children's Cinema Club have been polishing and preparing their cats to enter for the preliminary cat show to be held at the Theatre tomorrow (Saturday) at 2.30 p.m. This show will be judged by an Inspector of the R.S.P.C.A. and Mr. H .H. Goodenough and Mrs. N. Goodenough of The Chase, Bromley. Each entrant was handed an entry form, on the back of which were valuable hints to assist the boys and girls in preparing their cats. From this show four cats will be chosen to enter in the Crystal Cat Show, which will be held at Olympia on August 22 and 23. There is no entry fee and those selected to compete at Olympia will be provided with specially designed boxes in which to carry their cats. Refreshment and fares will be supplied.

At Olympia the cats will be divided into groups and in each group gold, silver and bronze will be awarded, with credit [merit] cards for the runners-up. The gold medal winners of each group will be judged again for the Championship Trophy, a special cup to be held by the winner for twelve months. The gold medal winners on August 22 will attend on the following day for this purpose. The whole top of Olympia is being reserved for members of the Odeon and Gaumont Cinema Clubs who have been successful in their respective preliminary shows.

CINEMA CAT SHOW Fulham Chronicle, 4th July 1952
Competing for the honour of entering their cats in the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia, members of the Gaumont, Walham Green, Saturday morning club took their pets to the cinema to be judged. Pedigree did not count, but the Judges watched for healthy, clean cats with good coats. Prize-winners who hope their pets will go on to win a gold medal were: K. Goulding, No. 17, Chesson Road; M. Jones, No. 27, Chesson Road; J. Tamsett, No. 15, Reporton Road; and P. Bright, No. 91, Hazlebury Road.

OLYMPIA CATS Holloway Press, 4th July 1952
Where are North London's Olympia cats? This question will be answered at the King's Cross Gaumont to-morrow (Saturday) when children from the Saturday club will bring their pets to be judged by a panel of local animal experts. The four best cats will take their places at the Crystal Cat Show, at Olympia, on August 22 - 23.

CATS GO TO THE CINEMA AND SALLY ANN WINS A PRIZE Kensington News and West London Times, 4th July 1952
Everyone knows a cat may look at a king, but cats were not allowed to look at the screen when they visited the Gaumont Cinema, Chelsea on Saturday afternoon. Perhaps it was thought the excitement might be too much for them, for they were kept well behind the scenes when they were brought by their young owners to be judged in the Odeon and Gaumont Children's Cinema Club Cat Show, the winner of which represents his or her Club in the Household Pets Class at the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia at the end of August. First prize-winner was John Ecklby of Sydney Street, SW3, with Sally Ann. Here prize-winners and competitors pose with their cats. They are (left to right): Karaline Letitia, of Royal Avenue, Chelsea, SW3; Tony Kingsnorth, with "Whisky" (4th prize) of Hasker Street, SW3; Josephine Tucker, with "Tiggy" (3rd prize) of McMara House, Blackland, SW3; Rosetta Fennell of Sutherland Street; Victoria; SW1; John Ecklby with "Sally Ann" (1st prize) of Sydney Street, SW3, and Frederick Beton, with "Chippy" (2nd prize) of Ormonde Gate, SW3.

CAT SHOW AT ODEON, DEPTFORD Lewisham Borough News, 8th July 1952
There was plenty of excitement while members of Deptford Odeon Children's Cinema Club were stroking and preparing their cats for the preliminary cat show on June 28. Results of the show, which was judged by R.S.P.C.A. Inspector Mr. H. H. Goodenough and Mrs. Goodenough of The Chase, Bromley, were:- 1 Brian Wilson (Shrimp), 113, Creek-road, Deptford; 2 Joan Davey (Tom) 24. Giffin-street, Deptford; 3 Audrey Blamise (Kitty) 15 Hyde-street, Deptford; 4 Margaret Ainslie (Tomie) 39, Berthon-street, Deptford. These competitors will now enter the Crystal Cat Show in competition with those members of other Odeon and Gaumont Theatres at Olympia during August.

CHILDREN'S CATS Harrow Observer,10th July 1952
Apart from nocturnal excursions, cats are normally confined to the domestic hearth. On the past two Saturdays, however, members of the children's cinema club at the Odeon, South Harrow, have taken their cats to the morning matinee to compete in heats for the forthcoming Crystal Cat Show at Olympia, where there will be a special section for cinema clubs. In all, the management had to deal with nearly 40 cats before four were chosen for the show. The winners belonged to AvrIl Evemy and David Timberlake, both of Northolt, and Patricia Hammond and David Pigram, who live in South Harrow

cat show

1952 CRYSTAL CAT SHOW

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] Daily Mirror, 22nd April 1952
Arthur Hunter, organiser of the Crystal Cat Show, suggests that cat breeders should train prize cats to follow at heel and sit on command, during the show in August. Says Hunter: "Short-haired Siamese have been easily trained in the past. Now we are breaking new ground and bringing Persians and the other long hairs into line."

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] CLASS FOR OFFICE CAT Bradford Observer, 9th August 1952
Olympia, London, will echo to thousands of miaows in a fortnight's time, when the national Hall will be the two-day home of 600 cats in the Crystal Cat Show. Tis year there is a large entry from the province in the pedigree section. A special cup is to be awarded to encourage breeding of British short-hair cats, which have become almost extinct in the last ten years. A class for "Cats of Fleet Street," in which national newspapers will enter the canteen or office cat, and another for members of Odeon and Gaumont children's cinema clubs are included. All profits go to the Animal Health Fund.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] VALUABLE CAT Evening Despatch, 15th August 1952
You may unknowingly be the owner of one the rarest pedigree cats namely the British Short Hair. Owing to the influence of exotic Asiatic breeds such as the Siamese, Abyssinians, Persians, the native British breeds have become almost extinct from the show point of view. Experts think there may be many perfect specimens living in obscurity by the family fireside. In 1949, Mrs K Williams a well-known cat judge discovered what she considered to be a perfect example exhibited in the Household Pet Section at a provincial show. On her advice the cat was shown in London as a British Short Hair, and within a short time became a full champion worth its weight in silver. Her grandson, champion Ventension Anaconda, will be exhibited at the Crystal Cat Show, Olympia, on August 22 and 23, where a special cup will be awarded to encourage the breeding of this species.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] CHELSEA CATS GO FOR A RIDE. CHILDREN TO TAKE THEM TO OLYMPIA Kensington News and West London Times, 22nd August 1952
On Friday afternoon six proud members of the Gaumont, Chelsea, Children's Cinema Club will travel to the Olympia bringing a friend of the family, a common or garden household cat cosily curled up in a brand new carrier case. All these pets have already won awards in the local heats and will be competing for the top prizes in the children's section of the Crystal Cat Show organised in collaboration with the Show authorities all the Gaumont and Odeon Children's Clubs in London. In their respective clubs, members have received guidance in the care of their pets and the object of the competition is to foster the children's innate love of animals. The judges of the children's section will not be influenced by the value, lengthy pedigree or breed of the cat, but will award prizes for the best kept animals. Cleanliness, good coats and healthy condition will be the deciding factors. The competitors from the Gaumont Chelsea Club are: F. Beton, Ormonde Gate, SW3; J. Eckley, Sydney Street, SW3; R. Fennell, Sutherland Street, SW1; T Kingsnorth, Hasker Street, SW3; K Letitia, Royal Avenue, SW3, and J. Tucker, McMara House, Blackland Place, SW3.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] A SPECIAL SECTION FOR CANTEEN CAT Yorkshire Evening Post, 22nd August 1952
More than 600 cats from all over Britain will be at Olympia today taking part in the Crystal Palace cat show. For the first time in the show's history, the household cat equals in number the pedigree exhibits. Among the Yorkshire owners competing will Miss Chafer, Woodland Ravine, Scarborough, Mrs Snowden, Crown Lands, Patringham, near Hull, and Miss Rabbitts, Galtres Road, Stockton Lane, York. Eighteen thousand cats have competed in the preliminary heats in a special section for owners who are members of London's children's cinema clubs. Special boxes have been made for each child to carry its pet to and from Olympia. Another special section this year is for cats of Fleet Street in which various national newspapers have entered the office or canteen cat.

Mrs. Nevile Duke, wife of the jet plane text pilot, of Dunfold, Guildford (Surrey), shows her four blue-cream Persians, Dusty, Delia, Damask and Dinny the Crystal Palace Cat Show at Olympia, London, today.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] Halifax Evening Courier, 22nd August 1952
A pure white Manx cat, owned by 76-year-old Mrs. L. A. Vaughan, of Wallasey, attracted attention at the Crystal Cat Show which opened at Olympia, London, to-day.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] Daily Herald, 22nd August 1952
No wonder Harpur Blue Boy looks so self-satisfied. Those cups are two of many he has won at shows. At last year's Crystal Cat Show at Olympia he won the supreme championship of the show - and he will be at the show when it opens again today. But perhaps the real secrets of his satisfaction are the three kittens on the right - Harpur Caesar, Cleopatra, and Casanova - who look like following in father's footsteps as champions.
[Photo too poor to reproduce.]

cat show

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] CHILDREN TAKING CATS TO OLYMPIA Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette, 22nd August 1952
Hundreds of boys and girls from Odeon and Gaumont cinema clubs will be on their way to Olympia today (Friday) and tomorrow. The children will travel from every part of the London area. They will have one thing in common - their love of animals. To Olympia each child will be bringing a cat, cosily curled up in a brand new carrier case. All these pets have already won awards in the local heats and will be competing for the top awards in the Odeon and Gaumont children's section of the Crystal Cat Show. The awards will be given for the best-kept pets. All the children have already received guidance in the care of animals from their local cinema club. Competitors from the Odeon, Deptford Broadway, are: - "Shrimp," (owned by Brian Wilson), "Tom," (Joan Davey), "Tomie," (Margaret Ainslie), "Kitty," (Audrey Blamise), "Sandy" (Ann Grant) and "Thomas" (Derek Kelly).

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] LOCAL CATS AT CAT SHOW Croydon Times, 23rd August 1952
Among beautiful Blue Persians, Chinchillas, and Manx pedigree cats at the biggest cat show in the world tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday at Olympia, there will be ordinary tabbies and black-and-whites belonging to children. It is the third time this big cat show has been held, but this year is the first time that children's cats have been among the entries. Over 18,000 cats belonging to children in London and its surrounding districts have been entered for the show, and these have been judged at local cinemas and the best three hundred selected go forward for the finals.

The cats' owners, who are between ten and 14 years old, will have their pets judged in groups of twelve. In each group there will be a gilt medal for the best cat, a silver medal for the second best and a bronze for the third best. Best in each group will then be judged for the championship "Kit-e- Kat" cup, which Is to be presented by local celebrity, 13-year-old Elizabeth Crufts, of Coulsdon. As most of you know, Elizabeth is a television junior announcer, and her family are the people behind the famous Crufts dog show.

Local boys and girls whose cats have got through to the finals, and who will be competing for the "Kit-e-Kat cup, are Sheila Prowse, of Bushey-road, Sutton; David Brewis, of Collingwood-road, Sutton; Terence Justice, and Thomas Williams, of Bexhill-road, Sutto;: Maureen Harrington, of Thompson-crescent, West Croydon; Sylvia Oliver and Josephine Perkins, of Gloucester-road, Croydon; Peter Lehan, of Waddon-road, Croydon; Pat Ring, of Dickenson's-road, South Norwood; Rita Tyrie, of Fullerton-road, East Croydon; Monica McCarthy, of Watcombe-road, South Norwood, and Pauline Sims, of Denmark-road, South Norwood.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] Daily Herald, 23rd August 1952
Britain's oldest cat judge, 82-year-old Mr Frank Norris, looked at the pets of more than 250 London schoolchildren yesterday and said: "These kids can teach the breeders how to look after a cat." The boys and girls showed their pets at the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia, on again to-day. Sprightly Mr Norris, whose own pet cats are called Basil and Mavis, bounced up to the Minnie the Moochers from Peckham and Penge, put on his pince-nez, tuck-tucked with satisfaction, and pronounced "Not a bad at among them."

"All beautifully kept. Five at least fir to show down below" – he pointed to the cages of pedigree cats in the main hall. "Too much commercialism these days. Got to love cats. That's why the kids' cats are so good. I commended all of them. Every one."

One of the prize winners was an 11-year-old with pigtails, Susan Pegram, of Tintern-way, West Harrow. She showed her white Persian (well, Persian-type) called Jimmy. Said Susan; "I think he's two. The butcher gave him to me because he couldn't catch mice. I love him."

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] "JIMMY," THE CAT, WON A GOLD MEDAL. CINEMA CLUB MEMBERS' PET Harrow Observer, 28th August 1952
"Jimmy," the snow-white Pet of Susan Pegram, of 6, Tintern-way, West Harrow, was runner-up in the Odeon and Gaumont children's section of the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia last week. On Friday he won a gold medal as the best cat in his class and, on the following day, with other gold medallists, he went before the judges for the premier award. Second place brought him a comfortable basket. The veteran judge, Mr. F. Norris, was much impressed by the cat's appearance and behaviour and told Susan that he was good enough to be exhibited "downstairs" where the pedigree cats were on show. Later, both Susan and "Jimmy" went before the television cameras for a film which will probably be shown in the T.V. children's programme. Susan was one of several children from the cinema club at the Odeon, South Harrow, who travelled to Olympia with high hopes - and their pets curled up in brand new carrier cases. Two young members of the Rayners-lane Gaumont Children's Cinema Club won the first and third prizes in one of the classes at the Show. Four entries were sent from the Rayners-lane cinema, and the prize-winning children were Mary Lynch, of 414, Alexandra-avenue, South Harrow, who gained first prize for her tortoiseshell semi-Persian cat "Wendy;" and June Stephens, of 418, Alexandra-avenue, who gained third prize for her all black cat "Topsy."

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] CATS COMMENDED Holloway Press, 29th August 1952
Local children from Odeon and Gaumont children's cinema clubs were at Olympia on Saturday for the finals of the best household cat of the year section of the Crystal Cat Show. Three members of the Angel cinema, Islington, won awards. They were Jacqueline Spragg, third prize bronze medal. June Howroyd, very highly commended, and Carol Fox, highly commended. Henry Taylor, of Corrall Road, Holloway, a member of the Picture House, Highbury, cinema club, was highly commended.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] CINEMA CLUB CHILDREN'S CATS SWEEP THE BOARD Kensington Post, 29th August 1952
Taking six cats, and their young owners, to Olympia was the odd-task-of-the-week for two members of the staff of the Gaumont cinema, Chelsea, on Friday. The assistant manager, Mr. A. M. Parslow (right of picture) and an usherette, Mrs. Olive Akehurst (left), found themselves in charge of a party of members of the Gaumont Chelsea Children's Cinema Club - and their six pet cats - who had won top places in a cat show organized at the theatre. They escorted the winners to the Crystal Cat Show to compete with other film-fan cats from all over Greater London.

The six hearthrug cats (modelling themselves, perhaps, on one or two famous film-star cats) conducted themselves with such elegance and purred at the judges so charmingly that they fairly swept the board. Two first prizes, a second prize, a third prize and two "highly commended" was the score. They can be said to have deserved their banquet of milk and cat food, and their young owners can be said to have deserved their high tea.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] FAME FOR TIMMY Fulham Chronicle, 29th August 1952
It was a proud moment for 11-year-old Peter Bright. of No. 91, Hazlebury Road, Fulham, when his tabby cat, Timmy, received a third prize at the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia. Timmy started on his path to fame when his master entered him in a competition at the Gaumont Cinema, Walham Green. Peter remembered this and went along to the Saturday morning cinema club to show his little friends the bronze medal he was awarded.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] CHELSEA CATS ON PARADE. THEY WON FIRST PRIZE TOO Kensington News and West London Times, 29th August 1952
Each cat hid his own carry cot when members of the Gaumont Chelsea Children's Cinema Club took their pets to the Crystal Cat Show Olympia on Friday. Members of the Chelsea Gaumont Children's Cinema Club who took their cats to the Olympia Crystal Cat Show last Friday were successful in winning four prizes. In the various classes of cats they won two first prizes, one second and one third prize. The other entries were highly commended. The prizes were awarded for best kept household cat and members from the Chelsea Club were in competition with members from other Gaumont and Odeon Cinema Clubs in the greater London Area. Points were given for cleanliness, well groomed coats and a healthy condition. Prize-winners from Chelsea were: John Eckley Sydney Street SW3 and Josephine Tucker, McNamara House, Lacland Place ,SW3, 1st prize each. Frederick Beton, Ormonde Gate, SW3, 2nd prize. Rosetta Fennell. Sutherland Street. SW1, 3rd prize. Tony Kingsnorth Hasker Street, SW3, and Letitia Yhap, Royal Avenue, SW3, both highly commended.

The party was taken to the Olympia by Mr A M Parslow, Assistant Manager at the Gaumont Chelsea, and Mrs Akehurst, usherette from the same theatre. Under their expert care and guidance all the children and their cats returned safely. During the afternoon the children were provided with tea and light refreshments and the cats were given a meal of cat food and a bowl of milk. It seems a good time was had by all!

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] West London Observer, 29th August 1952
While visiting the Olympia cat show on Friday, Mrs. Ethel Sutherland, aged 63, of Cathcart Road, South Kensington, suddenly collapsed into Her daughter's arms. Mrs. Sutherland was taken to West London Hospital, but was found to dead.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] PRIZE CAT HAS PLATE IN ITS STOMACH Norwood News, 29th August 1952
Captain Norman Wood, Tennison Road, South Norwood, breeder of Siamese cats, could not give away the young Tentesmuir Massah. He showed it without success until a veterinary friend advised a slight operation. So Massah was stitched up with a small Perspex plate. From that time on, four-years-old Massah has won prize after prize. At the Crystal Cat Show at Olympia, last week, Massah added further laurels to his record by taking two firsts. Last year at the same show he took a silver cup as the best short-haired cat I the show bred by the exhibitor. Also last year Massah, of the deep jasmine-blue eyes and fine body colourings was the best adult Siamese in the Redhill show, and was the best cat exhibited at the Worthing show. Last week's success brought Massah's total of prizes to 20.

When he is not winning trophies, Massh is at stud and has sired many prize-winning cats. He shares the honours with his stud-mate Tentesmuir Venturay. Captain Wood, retired Croydon power-house engineer, has been breeding cats for about 40 years. It was only after the war that he took up Siamese seriously, and simultaneously in the last seven years the breed has become increasingly popular. Shortly he will take on one of his biggest jobs – that of manager of the Guildford show, of the Surrey and Sussex Cat Association, of which he is vice-president.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] EASTERN ANCESTRY? Hastings and St Leonards Observer, 30th August 1952
Cats are in the news this week, with the holding of the Crystal Cat Show In London - and in particular, one fine member of the race, Tinker by name, who has been distinguished by his picture in The Times, proudly seated alongside the trophy he won as the best newspaper office cat. The "Observer'' Office does not possess an official cat, though one or two, I believe, have in the past applied for the post, but apparently decided that we did not suit them. But more than one member of the editorial staff has a favourite cat, so perhaps a few words about one of these exceptionally intelligent and forebearing creatures - they must be, to live with a journalist - may be appropriate, after Tiger's achievement - so delightfully described in ‘The Times' on Tuesday, in one of the famous Fourth Leaders. This Hastings cat, Monty, is a fruitarian, for he has what seems to be an unusual passion - for dates. Has any other reader, I wonder, a cat fond of dates? Perhaps this apparently unusual taste is a link with an ancestry extending back to Ancient Egypt, where cats, I believe - and rightly so Monty would agree - were regarded with great honour.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] PLUCKY CHILD Middlesex County Times, 30th August 1952
Sir, - I hope you will print this letter because I want to pay my tribute to the pluckiest little girl in Ealing, a polio victim who has spent a great deal of her life in hospital and an iron lung. Though her body is sadly crippled her heart is brave and strong and I stand humbled by the indomitable spirit of this child who attends the local Odeon's Saturday morning shows where a week or so ago her cat was judged one of three to be shown at the Olympia Cat Show. This child's usual mode of transport is a wheelchair. She walks under great difficulty, but this courageous little girl made the hazardous journey (for her) to Olympia by train and bus get her beloved cat to the show. The short distance from station to bus stop must have seemed like ten miles to this child and the stairs like mountains, but this game little youngster, with her equally brave little mother, who carried her up some of the stairs made the journey there and back. Her cat did not get a prize but was "very highly commended." It made my heart ache to see the brave little smile that I know hid acute disappointment after so great an effort to get there. Still, I think this child had her reward in seeing her cat really shown at Olympia, and I once again call her the pluckiest little girl in Ealing - (Miss) Marjorie Wilkinson, 10, Northcroft-road, W13.

[CRYSTAL CAT SHOW] Norwood News, 5th September 1952
There were also cheers for Jean Bywaters, whose cat "Fluffy," won a certificate in the recent cat show at Olympia.

cat show

1952 SOUTH-WESTERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB

[SOUTH WESTERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB] YOUR CAT Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 23rd August 1952
Be sure to enter him/her for the Big Paignton Cat Show, to be held at the Band Enclosure on Wednesday, 24th September. Many valuable prizes. Entries close 1st September. Send for Schedule and Entry Form to the Secretary Miss J F Cathcart, Trelystan, Dunstone Park, Paignton. Tel 5453.

[SOUTH WESTERN COUNTIES CAT CLUB] CAT CLUB SHOW FOR PAIGNTON Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 30th August 1952
Paignton will be the venue for the South Western Counties Cat Club Championship show on September 24 for the first time. Last year when the championship was held at Taunton, 600 entries were received. Entries for this year's show, which has 120 classes, close on Tuesday. Included in them are three classes for household and shop pets, for which attractive prizes are offered.

[SOUTH-WESTERN COUNTIES' CAT CLUB] 200-CAT-POWER PURR AT PAIGNTON Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 24th September 1952
Showing nothing of the undignified exuberance characteristic of dogs under similar circumstances, nearly 200 feline glamour pussies sat placidly in their pens in Paignton band enclosure this morning waiting their turn before the judges. With a sphinx-like serenity and complete indifference and typical cat-like detachment, they endured the last-minute attention of their owners who worked hard with brushes, combs and white ribbon to achieve true show elegance. The only animals to raise even the smallest voice in protest were a few of the large entry of Siamese cats who lived up to the reputation given them by one official - "Noisy things. Not at all like our quiet English cats."

This time, however, the majority were wrong and had every right to get excited. For the cats, the owners, and Paignton itself, it was a big day - Paignton's first championship cat show, the seventh organised by the South-Western Counties' Cat Club. Over 400 entries were received, but the total number of cats on show was considerably reduced by a number of "absentees," but there was still a brilliant variety with champions side by side with household and shop pets.

There were majestic blue Persians, sleek Siamese, four very quiet Russian blues, and one Manx among the many varieties on show. They came from all over the West-country and from as far afield as London and Birmingham. Perhaps the most highly-favoured for the coveted Correnden Cup for the best cat in the show was Miss J F Cathcart's long-haired brown tabby, Trelystan Girasol, which won this award last year. Miss Cathcart, in addition to being show manager this year, is secretary of the South-western Counties Cat Club. Hers and the other entries were assured of accurate assessment, for the six officials who were engaged in judging from 10 am this morning are of national international repute. This afternoon the show was declared open by Mrs H Michelmore, president of the South-Western Cat Club.

cat 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-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.

[SOUTH-WESTERN COUNTIES' CAT CLUB] SUCH CATS--AND SUCH NAMES! Torquay Times, and South Devon Advertiser, 26th September 1952
Torquay cats won prizes at the Paignton championship show run on Wednesday by the South-West Counties Cat Club. More than 170 cats were entered, ranging from luxurious blue Persians to workaday mousers. The pedigree animals rejoiced in names as aristocratic and fanciful as themselves: Laurentide Ephree Serenade, Gaydene Candy Kisses, Hillfarrance Cherish Me, Spotlight Delilah, and Cream Puff of Torkee. Sturdy Saxon names like Maxie, Trixie, Pickles and Smoky were chosen for household and office pets, while one answered to - Wonkey. Torquay prizewinners were:
LONGHAIRS:
White cat, male or female (blue-eyed) - 1 and 2, Miss E. Maher-Loughnan.
Cream cat, male or female - 1 and championship, Mrs. Woodall.
Silver tabby cat, male or female - 1, Mrs. Woodall.
BRITISH AND FOREIGN:
Any variety stud cat - 2, Mrs. Becket
Any variety litter- -3, Mrs. Becket.
NEUTERS:
Any colour longhair (premier) -2 and 3, Mrs. Woodall.
Any colour cat, longhair - 1 and 2, Mrs. Woodall.

1952 KENTISH CAT SOCIETY

[KENTISH CAT SOCIETY] FIRST CAT SHOW SINCE PRE-WAR Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, 29th August 1952; Kent & Sussex Courier, 29th August 1952
Household pets will be able to compete with aristocrats of the feline world when the Kentish Cat Society hols its first show since before the wat at the Pump Room, Tunbridge Wells, in September. Kent was the first county ever to form its own cat society and the first show was held in a tent at Smarden. Now it has over 50 members and the treasurer, Mrs C Burns, of Andrews Bank, Coleman's hatch, told the "Courier" she hoped the show would be as successful and popular as the pre-war events. Although champion cats will probably be exhibited, not championships will be granted because it is essentially a Summer show. This means that affiliation to the governing council is unnecessary and novices will be able to avail themselves of expert opinions on their stock without the expense of registering their animals.

There are over 20 trophies to be awarded at the show and the judges include Miss K Yorke, president of the National Cat Society. The 73 classes include two for household pets, for which entries can be received on the day of th show itself.

[KENTISH CAT SOCIETY] THE BEST CAT Kentish Express, 12th September 1952
First cat show of the Kent Cat Club to be held in Tunbridge Wells since the war was on Tuesday, when there were some hundred entries from all parts. A Blue Persian male exhibited by Mrs. H. Stephenson, of Tunbridge Wells, won the President's Cup, for the best cat on show. Mrs. Hobday (Maidstone) won a premier award with her Siamese adult, and Mrs. Loveday (Maidstone) won in the neuter class.

cat show

[KENTISH CAT SOCIETY] ARISTOCRATS OF KENT CATS TUNBRIDGE WELLS EXHIBIT WAS THE BEST IN SHOW Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, 12th September 1952
The Kentish Cat Society had an almost record number of entries for their first show since the war which was held at the Pump Room, Tunbridge Wells, on Tuesday - and the best cat in the show was owned by a Tunbridge Wells woman. It was an outstanding blue longhair belonging to Mrs F Stevenson, of 9, Earls Road, Tunbridge Wells. This 16-month-old male Persian cat, Woburn Sunshine, won for its mistress the highest honour she has ever obtained in cat show. Among the entries were 88 pedigree cats, 30 pedigree kittens and 13 household cats. The exhibitors came from all over Southern England and one travelled from as far away as Edinburgh. The popularity of cats in Tunbridge Wells was emphasised by the large gate at the show. Judging finished in the morning but throughout the afternoon a constant stream of visitors arrived at the hall to see the cats.

Another popular breed cat that formed a large part the entry was the Siamese. Many excellent animals were on show and the judges commented on the high standard. An animal owned by a clergyman cat fancier, the Rev B Rees of Thundersley, caused great interest at the show. It was a pretty white kitten with blue eyes. Its eyes were a particularly unusual feature for it is generally considered that cats of this nature with blue eyes are blind. [Note: journalistic error, he meant deaf.]

LOCAL RESULTS.
LONGHAIRED CATS AND KITTENS.
Blue male cat: Mrs F Stephenson of Tunbridge Wells (Woburn Sunshine).
Blue female cat: 2 Mr G B Allt (Danehurst Gayna), 3 Mrs A Treherne, of Sevenoaks (Dainton Erica).
Blue breeders (male or female): 3 Mr Allt (Danehurst Gayna).
Blue novice (male or female): 1 Mrs Stephenson (Woburn Sunshine), 2 Mr Allt (Danehurst Gayna), 3 Mrs Trehearne (Dainton Erica).
Blue kitten (female 2 – 4 months): 1 Miss P Jones of Seal (Dainton Dusk).
Blue kitten (female 4 – 9 months): 1 Miss Jones (Dainton Stephanie).
Blue breeders (male or female 2–9 months): 1 Mrs C Burns of Colemans Hatch (Yew Hatch Mandy).
Cream cat (male or female): 1 Mr Allt (Danehurst Princess); 2 Mr Allt (Storkey Nuggett).
Chinchilla cat (male or female): Mr Allt (Redwall's Jack Frost).
AOV cat (male or female): 2 Mrs Stephenson (Ashdown Shadows).
AV Breeders cat (male or female): 1 Mr Allt (Danehurst Princess), 2 Mrs Stephenson (Ashdown Shadows).
AV Novice cat (male or female): 2 Mr Allt (Danehurst Princess).
AOV kitten (male or female 2–9 months): 1 Miss Jones (Dainton Dawn).
AV LH Novice kitten (male 2–9 months): 2 Miss Jones (Dainton Stephanie); 3 Miss Jones (Dainton Dawn).
AV LH (male or female): 1 Mrs Stephenson (Woburn Sunshine).
AV visitors' LH and SH cat or kitten (male or female): 2 Mr Allt (Danehurst Princess); 3 Mr Allt (Danehurst Gayna).

SIAMESE
AV Siamese kitten (female 2 - 4 months): 2 Mr W Hugh-Smith of Ightham (Onina Sourita).
AV Siamese kitten (male 4 - 9 months): Mrs J Highton of Benenden (Silken Benjamino); 2 Mr Hugh-Smith (Onina Blue Boy); 3 Mrs Highton (Silken Pedro).
AV Siamese breeders kitten (male 2–9 months): 1 Mrs Highton (Silken Beniamino); 2 Mr Hugh-Smith (Onina Blue Boy).
AV Siamese breeders (female 2 – 9 months): 2 Mr Hugh-Smith (Onina Souriya).
AV Siamese Novice kitten (male 2 – 9 months): 3 Mrs Highton (Silken Pedro).

SHORT HAIRED CATS AND KITTENS
AV SH cat ex. Siamese (male): 1 Mrs Ellson Tunbridge Wells (Beulah Salomon).
AV SH cat ex. Siamese (female): Mr Ellson (Beulah Sabrina).
AV SH novice ex-Siamese (female): 2 Mrs Eilson (Beulah Sabrina)
AV SH kitten ex-Siamese (male or female 2–9 months): 3 Mrs E Towe of Crowborough (Hillcross Silver Boy).
AV SH kitten ex-Siamese (male or female 2 - 9 months): 2 Mrs Towe (Hillcross Silver Boy).
AV SH novice kitten ex-Siamese (male or female 2 - 9 mths): 3 Mrs R Ellson (Beulah Silver).
AOV SH kitten (male or female): 1 Mr Hugh-Smith (Onina Souriya); 2 Mr Hugh-Smith (Onina Blue Boy)

NEUTERS
AV LH Neuter: 1 Mrs E Loveday, of Forest Row (Yew Hatch Andrew); 2 Miss K Stephens, of Tunbridge Wells (Ashdown Sylvan Sprite).
AV novice neuter LH or SH (pedigree): 1 Miss K Stephenson (Ashdown Sylvan Sprite); 3 Mrs Loveday (Yew Hatch Andrew).

CLUB CLASSES
THE KENTISH CAT SOCIETY AV LH cat (male or female): 1 Mrs. Stephenson (Woburn Sunshine); 2 Mr G B Allt (Danehurst Princess); 3 Mr Allt (Red Walis Jack Frost).
THE KENTISH CAT SOCIETY AV foreign kitten (male or female): 1 Highton (Silken Benjamino); 3 Mr Hugh-Smith (Onina Souriya).
THE KENTISH CAT SOCIETY AV Neuter LH or SH: 3 Mr Loveday (Yew Hatch Andrew).
THE NOTTS AND CLUB: AV LH cat or kitten (male or female): 1 Mr Allt (Danehurst Princess); 2 Mr Allt (Red Walis Jack Frost); 3 Mr Allt (Storkey Nugget).
THE RED, CREAM, TORTIE, TORTIE AND WHITE, BLUE CREAM AND BROWN TABBY SOCIETY: AV cat or kitten LH or SH (male or female): 1 Mr Allt (Danehurst Princess).
THE CROYDON CAT CLUB: AV LH cat (male or female): 1 Mr Allt (Danehurst Princess); 2 Mr Allt (Danehurst Gayna)
OPEN SPECIALS: best adult, Mrs Stephenson; best neuter, Mrs E Loveday.

1952 HERTS AND MIDDLESEX CAT CLUB

[MIDDLESEX & HERTS CAT CLUB] FIRST CAT SHOW AT TOWN HALL Acton Gazette and West London Post, 15th August 1952
The first big cat show ever to be held in Acton will take place on Friday, September 18 at Acton Town Hall. Three hundred cats from all over Britain will take part. The show is organised by the Middlesex and Hertfordshire Cat Club. Its secretary Mr. P. Dunks of 38, Lexden-gardens, Acton, and Mrs. Dunks are the organisers. The cats will start arriving in Acton on the Thursday and will stay overnight at the Town Hall in pens specially erected for them. The judging will start at 10 a.m. and the show will be open to the public from 1.30 to 8 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. Dunks will be entering at least one of their own cats – a tortoiseshell point Siamese, the only one in the country.

cat show

[HERTS AND MIDDLESEX CAT CLUB] CHAMPIONSHIP CAT SHOW Middlesex County Times, 13th September 1952
Championship Cat Show at Acton Town Hall on Friday, September 19. Open to the public 1 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. 250 world-famous pedigree cats from all over the British Isles. Admission: Adults 2s 6d. There will be a free competition for the general public.

[HERTS AND MIDDLESEX CAT CLUB] ALL-BREED CHAMPIONSHIP CAT SHOW Middlesex County Times, 13th September 1952
Cat lovers and breeders will have an opportunity of seeing some of the best species in the country at Acton Town Hall next Friday, when the Herts and Middlesex Cat Club will hold a first all-breed championship show of the season. Miss Kathleen Harrison, the film star, will distribute the rosettes at the conclusion of the judging. Apart from the 263 cats that have been entered for the contest, there will also be on show a famous kitten called Smokey, awarded the Dumb Friends' League's Blue Cross for bravery - which is the animals' VC - and two imported Siamese cats direct from Siam. The last two will be on show in order that breeders may see the difference between the original cat and the recognised species in this country. Judging will commence at 10 am and the show will be open to the public from 1 pm to 6.30 pm.

cat show

ACTON'S FIRST CAT SHOW. KATHLEEN HARRISON PRESENTED PRIZES Acton Gazette and West London Post, 26th September 1952
Cats and kittens - 264 of them plus ten special exhibits - took part in Acton's first Championship Cat Show organised by the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Cat Club at Acton Town Hall on Friday last week. Kathleen Harrison, film and stage star, distributed the prizes- She also presented the Blue Cross Medal - the V.C. for cats - to a tabby kitten "Smokey." The medal was awarded by Our Dumb Friends' League for bravery during a fire. "Smokey" owned by Mrs. I. Donovan of Forest Gate, was six weeks old when he won the medal he woke his mistress and family up when their home was on fire. Apart from "Smokey" the special exhibits included two imported Siamese cats, four Red-Point arid three Tortoiseshell-Point Siamese.

Cats of many different kinds and colour were in the rows of pens at the show - Siamese, Abyssinian, Manx, long-haired, short-haired, black, brown, tabby, white, cream, tortoiseshell, red, blue, and silver among others. And they came from all over the British Isles – Aberdeenshire, Isle of Wight, Yorkshire, Dorset, Lancashire, Gloucester, and Hampshire, and other counties. Owners or representatives brought nearly all of the cats in small baskets to Acton. Each one had to be examined by one of two vets before they could be taken into the hall. Of the 266 entries only two were not allowed in. One had a slight touch of catarrh. The other had been fighting and its wounds had not properly healed.

A few of the cats arrived on Thursday night, but most of them were brought into the hall between 8 and 9.30 a.m. on Friday morning. Some of the exhibitors started out from their homes for the show at 5 a.m. The show was held in Acton of them were brought into the hall between 8 and 9.30 a.m. on Friday morning. Some of the exhibitors started out from their homes for the show at 5 a.m. The show was held in Acton because Acton is in the organizing club's area and because the show manager was Mr. P. Dunks, of 38. Lexden-road. Acton. who is also club secretary. His wife, who showed four of the special exhibits - two Red-Point and two Tortoiseshell-Point Siamese - was the assistant manager. Mrs. Dunks' four won one 1st, four 2nd and two 3rd prizes. They were also awarded six V.H.C. s (Very Highly Commended).

"It took us six months to prepare for this show," said Mr. Dunks this week, "And we still have got a month's work to do to pay out the prize money.''

Other Acton people entered their cats and kittens in the show. Eleven-year-old John Hedger, of 42, St. Catherine's court, Bedford Park, won first prize in the long-hair adults (tortoiseshell) class with his cat "Purring Pansy Face." The same cat also won a V.H.C. in one of the club classes. John, the youngest member of the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Club, had a further honour during the show - he presented a bouquet on behalf of the1 club to Kathleen Harrison.

Mrs. S. Powell, of 3. Highfield-road. Acton; won two V.H.C.'s with a Siamese "Norwood Ninah." Miss R. Hough of 70, Ramillies-road, Acton, also entered an exhibit but was not successful. Mrs. D. Stedman, of 2, St. Dunstan's-avenue Acton, won an H.C. (highly commended) with her twelve-year-old household cat "Tibby'' and her daughter won an H.C. with "Tinna" another household cat. The Stedman family have a passion for pets. Besides "Tibby" and "Tinna" they have a dog, a canary, eleven rabbits, and a grandfather tortoise at home. Over £200 in prize money was won by some of the 116 exhibitors at the show which was attended by about 600 people. Best Cat in Show was Champion Scamp of Allington, owned by Miss E. Lanston of Maidenhead. This is the third year running that this cat has won the Best Cat title in the club shows.

There were twelve judges, five of them international judges. No decorations of any kind were allowed inside or outside pens before the judging but afterwards a few of the exhibitors added a ping-pong bail, ball of wool, or some other plaything in the pen. Dr. J. D. Atwell, of Sheffield, added something for comfort rather than fun. He put a hot water bottle underneath the blanket in the pen of two kittens "Bitter Sweet" and "Geisha Girl," being shown by Mrs. Atwell. Dr. Atwell said that the kittens were named after musical comedies. This is not unusual. Cat lovers also name their pets after, among other things, operas, stars, plays, birds, and great men. Here is a sample of part of the names of cats in Friday's show: Winston, Air-Commodore, Figaro, Don Pedro, Mikelmas Daisy, Jack Frost, Brumas, Golliwog, Snowflake, Patchwork, Butterscotch, Penzance. Barley Sugar, Tit-Willow, Cinderella, and Snowman.

1952 BLUE PERSIAN CAT SOCIETY SHOW

cat show

1952 MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT CLUB

[MIDLAND COUNTIES' CAT CLUB] A RARE TABBY Birmingham Daily Gazette, 14th October 1952
Cats of all colours and nationalities will be at the Moseley Road Friends' Institute, Birmingham, next Saturday week. But among the 200 exhibits which are being sent from all parts of Britain, pride of place at the Midland Counties' Cat Club's golden jubilee may go to that maligned creature, a British tabby. The secretary of the club, Mrs. O. M. Lamb, of Halesowen, tells me that a British shorthaired silver tabby might, unknown to its owners, be a potential show winner. "The-silver tabby is, in fact, one of the rarest pedigree cats," said Mrs. Lamb. "Perfectly marked specimens may be living in the obscurity of someone's fireside." At a recent show such a specimen was found among the household Pets' section.

[MIDLAND COUNTIES' CAT CLUB] CATS HELP HER RELAX Birmingham Weekly Mercury, 26th October 1952
Birmingham housewife who finds "complete relaxation" in looking after show cats, saw her cream Persian, Tollerton Talisman, win the first prize and challenge class in the Midland Counties Cat Club "Golden Jubilee" Championship Show at the Friends' Institute, Moseley Road, Birmingham, yesterday. Tollerton Talisman, who also came second in the Champion of Champion awards, is one of the family of cream Persians which Mrs L Dyer, of 37 Oakfield Road, Selly Park, started keeping five years ago.

"I always waned to keep cats, but I never had the chance until 1947," Mrs Dyer told me. "Now I have three female and one male cat and I show them as a hobby. They are a great relaxation after the day's work, especially as they are so faithful."

Among the 225 cats at the show was a Burmese – one of 30 in the country – which won a third reserve, and a very highly commended award for its owner, Mrs B Atwell, of Sheffield.

Leading results included:
Longhaired Champion of Champions: Champion Thiepval Snowcloud (Mrs M E Crickmore, Lowestoft).
Shorthaired Champion of Champions: Champion Morris Tudor (Mrs O M Lamb, Halesowen).
Longhaired Premier of Premiers: Premier Vagabond of Knott Hall (Miss H Crosher, Oadby, Lecs).
Shorthaired Premier of Premiers: Premier Mirza Takif (Brig. F H C Rossiter, Swindon).

[MIDLAND COUNTIES CAT SHOW] "BLUE PETER" THE PRIZEWINNING SIAMESE Warwick and Warwickshire Advertiser, 31st October 1952
At the Golden Jubilee of the Midland Counties Cat Show, held in Birmingham on Saturday, "Rushmere Blue Peter," a young blue pointed Siamese male, bred by Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Cousins, of Stanks Hill, Birmingham Road, Warwick, was awarded his first challenge certificate, two firsts and a second prize in open classes, and no less than four "specials," including two challenge cups (one for best male in 1952 show). This was his first prize show since a young kitten. A younger Blue pointed female kitten, from the same parents, was first prize winner the recent Siamese Cat Show in London, and won many other awards at Birmingham on Sunday.

1952 SIAMESE CAT CLUB SHOW

cat show

1952 SCOTTISH CAT CLUB

[SCOTTISH CAT CLUB] CAT SHOW Milngavie and Bearsden Herald, 15th November 1952
As will be seen from our advertising columns the Scottish Cat Club will hold their annual show, on Saturday, 22nd November, 1952, in the Christian Institute, Bothwell Street, Glasgow. There are special classes for household, office and factory pets as well as for the pedigree cat. There is also handsome trophy.

[SCOTTISH CAT CLUB] SHOW CATS Bridge of Allan Gazette, 29th November 1952
Three trophies and numerous other awards, including three specials, were won by cats belonging to Mrs M H Stewart at the Scottish Cat Club Show last Saturday. "Hazeldine Onyx" won the Flora McDonald Cup in the class for black longhaired cats; "Killdown Gay Lad" won the Scottish Cat Club Cup for the best Siamese male adult; and the now famous "Inwood Cloud" won the Grant Cup for Siamese with best eye colour, this cup being won for the second year in succession.

1952 CROYDON CAT CLUB

cat show

[CROYDON CAT SHOW] Bognor Regis Observer, 22nd November 1952
I hear that "Blue Haze Valetta " one of the Burmese Kittens - the first of their breed to be registered in this country, and belonging to Miss E. King. of South Bersted - took first prize in the Kitten Class at the Croydon Cat Show, held last week at the Seymour Hall, London, and also received a "highly commended" in the Short Hair Class.

1952 SOUTHSEA CAT CLUB

[SOUTHSEA CAT CLUB] HOUSEHOLD PET CAT SHOW Hampshire Telegraph, 14th November 1952
Household Pet Cat Show – don't miss this in aid of the P.D.S.A. Christmas Market, Connaught Drill Hall, Friday, 28th November. Valuable prizes – Entries and full particulars: Mrs G. Butler, 158 Highland Road, Southsea. Tel 32936.

cat show

[SOUTHSEA CAT CLUB] P.D.S.A. HOLDS CAT SHOW. PERSIAN BEST CAT Portsmouth Evening News, 29th November 1952
A show arranged by Southsea Cat Club attracted nearly 40 entries, which were judged by Mrs. A. Cook-Radmore. Prize for the best cat in the show went to Aviary Michael, a cream male Persian, owned by Mrs. M. Todd, Alton. The award for best Siamese was gained by Taigi Marat, owned by Mrs. U. A. Keast (Emsworth), and the best neuter was adjudged to be Pasha, a blue Persian, belonging to Mrs. D. Ivey (Southsea). Other principal winners were:-
Long-haired kitten, Pathfinder Zinia. owned bv Miss N. Woodifleld.
Siamese kitten, Priddy Boy (Mrs. Lee).
Best in show, household exhibit, Dan (Mrs. E. J. Jeffery)
Short-haired household cat, Smokey Joe (Mrs. Richards).
Best In show, household pet kitten, Paddy Bosun (P.D.S.A.. Cowplain).

Winners of first prizes In the respective classes were:-
Long-haired household pets, Dan (Mrs. Jeffery).
Short-haired household pets, Smokey Joe (Mrs. Richards).
Long and short-haired household pet kittens, Paddy Bosun (P.D.S.A., Cowplain).
Pedigree Siamese, Taigi Maral (Mrs. Keast).
Siamese pedigree kittens, Priddy Boy (Mrs. Lee).
Pedigree long-haired adults, Aviary Michael (Mrs Todd).
Neuter pedigree Persian, Pasha (Mrs. D. Ivey).
Pedigree long-haired kittens, Pathfinder Zinia (Miss Woodifield).
The Show Secretary was Mrs. G. M. Butler.

1952 NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] ENTER THE BURMESE CAT Birmingham Daily Gazette, 2nd December 1952
Burmese cats are coming from Bromsgrove, Derby and Sheffield this week to enter for the first championship for their kind ever held in Britain. They are sleek. brown animals and eight or nine of them are competing for the Burmese Championship Cup to be given at the 56th show at the National Cat Club on Wednesday. "The breed is now recognised by the fancy," an official said, "after having been bred true for three years." These exotic strangers, however, have some way go before they reach the public notice of such Siamese as "Tau-lu," for instance, who appears on TV and has just been insured for £500.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] A 'PERSIANESE ' CAT Coventry Evening Telegraph, 3rd December 1952
A representative of what the owner hopes will be an entirely new breed of cats was on show at the National Cat Show in London to-day. The cat, Briarry Abu Hett, bred by Mr. B. Stirling-Webb, of Asgill House, Richmond. Surrey, is a cross between a Persian and a Siamese.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] BRIARRY ABU HETT – THE NEW CAT London Daily News, 4th December 1952
A new breed of cat, . Briarry Abu Hett, a cross between a youth Persian and a Siamese, was seen at the National Cat Show yesterday. It is owned by Mr. B. Stirling-Webb, of Richmond, Surrey.

cat show

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] PERSIAN-SIAMESE CAT Portsmouth Evening News, 4th December 1952
A new breed of cat, a cross between a Persian and a Siamese, was exhibited at the National Cat Show.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] FOUR-LEGGED CLEOPATRAS SIT DREAMING OF NILE. TABBIES FIND A PLACE AMONG CAT ARISTOCRATS Yorkshire Evening Post, 4th December 1952
As I was leaving my house I found difficult to explain to my Sealyham, Disraeli, that he could not come with me because I was going to visit the 56th championship show of the National Cat Club. If you are good at arithmetic you will realise that the first show took place 1898. I have never been a cat lover. These miniature tigers and tigresses officially known felis domestica, are too aloof, too superior, too feminine. They do not die temporarily of grief when you leave the house, nor do they go into paroxysms of joy when you return. Their thoughts are on the Nile, or of a Persian garden, or something in Siam.

No- one knows the origin the of the word "cat." It is of no language or territory and it is without sex. All cats, male or female, are cats. I watched one of the judges size up the charms of a blue-eyed, white, furry creature, and the Judge was saying: "Oh. you lovely little girl. Oh, you darling." You never hear that kind of thing at a dog show or at the Doncaster sales. Did you know that all tortoiseshell cats are females? When this Information was given to me by Mr Stirling Webb I raised an eyebrow to express surprise, whereupon he explained that if by chance a male tortoiseshell cat is born it has no future hope of progeny. He is doomed to a sterile bachelorhood.

Were the cats glad to see us as we went from cage to cage? They were neither pleased nor displeased. When I stroked the ears of a Persian Blue it remained deep In thought and quite disinterested. One could have got a better result by stroking a duchess at a garden party.

There was collection of black-eared Siamese cats, with wonderful blue eyes like lamps, which gave me a definite sense of uncouthness. I wished that I had worn a suit more keeping with the occasion. These lovely creatures really touched perfection, which is always an emotional experience for the onlooker. They have the grace and the Indifference of a four-legged Cleopatra. Stroke their paws if you like, they will not mind. Some of them have hot-water bottles on which to rest, and are covered with tiny blankets. They do not plead with mendicant eyes to be taken the park for a run. They do not whine to be put out the balcony In order to growl at the milkman's horse. They are so well bred that they ask for nothing because they darn well know that they will get what they want without asking.

Over one cage the owner has a card bearing the words, "Beauty lives by kindness." It is a pleasing conjunction of words, but what does It mean? No one is ever unkind to a cat, whereas a cat is diabolically cruel to a mouse. What is a champion cat worth? While I was there a doughty male cat named Gallant Homme was sold for £150. Already he is a sire of distinction and in France, where he is going to take up a new active life, he will no doubt add splendidly his record. The breeders of the cats seemed to be mostly women and they had that earnest, earthy, unsubtle look which comes to all people who embrace the elemental. I have seen it in the breeders of horses and dogs. They are not concerned with femininity but only with the female and the male. At least that is the impression they gave me.

You will be sorry to learn that the Abyssinian cat is almost extinct, which is a pity, for the Abyssinian is the nearest thing alive to a Sphinx. It is extraordinary how closely these creatures resemble the human species in the land of their origin. There was a Russian blue cat which was so dark, dusty and sinister that I nearly decided to report him to MI5. But do not Imagine that they were all exotics. You will be glad to know that there were ordinary, grey-striped silver tabbies on view, the kind that rummages in the lanes, and whines at the moon, and will eat anything that a garbage can will produce. They do not serenade the night, they make it hideous. They are just cats and do not pretend to be anything else.

So I came away into the rugged, unsubtle masculinity of Vincent Square, Westminster, where the exhibition is being held. Yet I could not throw off the feeling that with these red-eyed creamy cats of the Nile, and these blue-eyed Persians, I had been in the company of aristocrats whose lineage goes back to the years when England was peopled by hairy savages. I wonder if Disraeli would object if we brought a Siamese cat to our house? When the fire is chuckling in the grate ad the television is talking about tomorrow's rain, there is something about a cat which asks nothing more than to be left to its comforts and its memories of when Caesar sailed up the Nile. That is the worst of going to a show like this. It puts thoughts into one's mind.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] ROGER GROOMS TWO CATS FOR STARDOM -BUT ONE DIED Leicester Daily Mercury, 2nd December 1952
Mother looked at the blue-eyed white cat critically and decided that it was pretty, but not exceptional. But although 13-year-old Roger Parker, of Cropston, respected her expert opinion, he had other ideas about the first pedigree animal of his very own. He had seen mother, Mrs Linda Parker, win hundreds of prizes with her elegant Siamese, but Roger never did like the breed. "They're too noisy," he told her. So he saved his pocket money and decided to make prize-winning a family concern. So his white British short haired cat which was a gift from a friend became Pinewood Brumas. Then followed months of careful grooming and training and then Roger decided he was ready to enter Brumas for first show.

If she was surprised when that blue-eyed cat won six out of seven shows and became Champion Pinewood Brumas, her pride and pleasure in Roger's achievement were more evident. But Roger's plans for his champion were doomed to disappointment, for Brumas was taken ill and died. It seemed that no one could replace him, until a day when a basket arrived from a friend in Scotland, addressed to Master Roger Parker. From it waddled a blue-eyed white kitten which might have been Brumas's sister. Roger christened her Pinewood White Heather and proceeded to make her a worthy successor to Brumas. She was entered for three shows, and in each was champion. Recently she was awarded a medal by the Danish Cat Club. Now Roger, with 132 prizes to his credit, has his eyes on the National Cat Club Championship in London tomorrow.
CAT NOTE - Roger's favourite is Two Ton Teddy, the household pet, who has no pedigree, and has never entered a show.

cat show

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] CATS' COMFORT Leicester Evening Mail, 3rd December 1952
Hot-water bottles and blankets were among the comforts enjoyed by some of the 361 pedigree cats at the National Cat Club's 56th championship show at the Royal Horticultural Hall, London. Chicken, liver, raw meat and fish and milk were on the cats' lunch-time menu. Local winners:
Short-haired adults (except Siamese): B Parker, The Woodlands, Cropston, with Pinewood White Heather, won first prize in the white male or female class.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] TROPHY FOR HER KITTEN Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 4th December 1952
Miss O. Hardman, of Fair View, Lund Lane, Killinghall, near Harrogate, won a stiver challenge cup for the best short-hatred kitten in the show at the National Cat Club's 56th championship show at the Royal Horticultural Hall, London, yesterday.

[NATIONAL CAT CLUB SHOW] SHAMPOO COST ADONIS CHANCE OF A PRIZE Daily Herald, 4th December 1952
If Priory Adonis hadn't had his hair shampooed he might have won a prize at the National Cat Club show in the Old Horticultural Hall, Westminster, yesterday. Adonis had the longest hair in the show. His owner, Mrs Lucille Davies, of the Jolly Farmer, Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks has long hair, too. It tumbles over her shoulders. But when the judges plonked Adonis on the judging table a little cloud of powder puffed out of his long blue hair.
"Disqualified," they said, "Can't have power."
"But is was only shampoo powder," said Mrs Davies, and appealed to the committee with five witnesses.
But the judges' verdict had been given. Adonis weighs 13ilb, more than his owner's black poodle dog. He leads that poodle a cat's life.

A country parson who owns an alley cat called Sally gave up his holiday to judge the cats. The Rev. Basil Rees, assistant priest at Bowers Gifford, Essex, lives at Thundersley, Essex, and has 18 pedigree "short-haired blues" – as well as Sally. He breeds his blues with loving care, but Sally sleeps on his bed. And she is "a very common, ordinary cat, more tabby than anything else," says Mr. Rees. "She could never win a prize but I love her."

Mr Rees said this while he was holding Mrs Higson's Scamperdale Gentianna. The Lady Gentian seemed to wince at mention of Sally from the Alley. But Mr Rees would rather have Sally than all the champions.

[NATIONAL CAT SHOW] West Sussex Gazette, 11th December 1952
Cats were, however, lately in the picture at Westminster, when the National Cat Club held its championship show at the hall of the Royal Horticultural Society. About 300 cats of 28 different kinds, from the Siamese to the tabby, were competing for a dazzle of silver trophies presented by cat societies throughout the country. Pedigree cats accounted for as many as 7,000 registrations last year, but the cat of unknown ancestry can also, it seems, turn out a champion. One prize-winner arrived on the doorstep of Its owner as a "stray" several years ago. Hopeful owners of ordinary cats may be cherishing an even greater treasure than they suspect. Points to be looked for, says an official of the Cat Club, are general condition, shape, fine eyes, and texture and colour of coat.

1952 OTHER REGIONAL SHOWS

[TORQUAY CAT SHOW] Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 14th November 1952
Don't forget to visit the Rabbit, Poultry, Pigeon and Cat Show at the Pengelly Hall to-morrow.

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