FERELITH SOMERFIELD - PATRON
Ferelith Somerfield is a well known all breed judge and former Editor and Chairman of Dog World.
Passed by the Kennel club to judge all groups and best in show at championship shows, Ferelith has judged worldwide. She is from a family of animal people her ancestors being interested not just in dogs but in all forms of livestock. Under the Oudenarde affix there have been numerous champions covering many breeds in the terrier, utility and gundog groups.
Ferelith supported and encouraged the original officers and committee of the club in their aim to consider the welfare of the dog as paramount.
In 1981 Ferelith thanked us for choosing her as our Patron and we thank her for being our Patron and figurehead for so many years.
NORMAN HARRISON - PRESIDENT
AND COMMITTEE
Norman was involved in the formation of the club and always supports the club in its activities. As one of our most popular breed judges, the famous Fernville name is known and respected internationally. Fernville stock is behind most, if not all, of the English lines. His beautiful Ch Fernville Lord Digby made the "Dulux Dog", loved throughout the UK, a household name.
Norman, a great personality and loved for his charisma and command of a judging ring, has been judging our breed since 1958 and at championship level since 1964 often pulling record entries worldwide.
As well as our President, Norman is also on the Committee and joint editor of the club magazine "Yours Faithfully".
JOHN P SMITH
VICE PRESIDENT AND COMMITTEE
John originates from Northumberland and spent his childhood in Kent. He has also lived in Australia where he trained and worked in banking. In 1961 he returned to England and we all know him as living in South East London the home of his famous Lameda affix.
John bought his first OES in 1967 in partnership with Stuart Mallard and the Lameda affix was created in 1969. There have been many champions carrying the Lameda flag including, Ch. Lameda Pandora Blossom (top winning bitch 1972) and Ch. Lameda Perfect Pal (Best in Show LKA 1974). He first judged the breed at championship level in 1975 and has judged at this level internationally for many years. John was the breed judge at Crufts 1992.
It was John's idea to form a club for the London area and is responsible for putting the Greater London Old English Sheepdog Club on the canine map. He sat on the original steering committee and on the Club's inception became the Hon. Treasurer. John was active in the success of the Club Nights and the Club often held celebrations and meetings at his home in Sydenham.
John is a Vice-President and also a Committee member.
BETTY INCE - VICE PRESIDENT
Betty has been involved with dogs all her life and with OES since the 1950s. She was on the steering committee of the club during its formation and has supported the club throughout its life.
Betty's Hyal kennels included many champions and those of us old enough will remember Ch. Hyal Penny's Pride and Ch. Hyal Pastimes Panspal. Betty sat on the committee of the Welsh Kennel Club for many years and was the OES breed judge for Crufts 1995.
Betty is always available to give advice when needed and the Club benefits from her wealth of knowledge and experience.
Betty is a Vice- President and honorary life member.
DAVID BLOOMFIELD - VICE PRESIDENT
David and his wife Jean have been involved with Bobtails since 1967 when obtained their first puppy from Ron and Rita Ashcroft's kennels, he became Ch Snowserf Lancer of Barnolby.
David started judging in 1975 and was passed by the Kennel Club to give CC's in the breed in 1982.
An officer of the steering committee and founder member of the club, David had vast experience of rules and regulations, and was the brains behind the club's aims and criteria. Along with the other steering committee members he supported the idea of a club for London existing for the welfare of all OES especially the pet and rescue owners at a time when breed numbers were at an all time high.
David is a Vice-President and is always on hand to give support and advice to the club.
SUZETTE ROGERS
VICE PRESIDENT AND COMMITTEE
An Australian by birth, Suzette has lived in London since the 60s. She worked for the Australian High Commission in London as a recruitment officer for many years. Her association with Old English Sheepdogs began over 30 years ago and she campaigned CH Jedforest Queen of the Night to her title in 1981.
Also in 1981, Suzette, a founder member of the club, was elected to the chair at its inaugural meeting, a position she held for five years. The same year she commenced judging and joined Betty Ince (Hyal) as breed note correspondent for Dog World.
Under the affix "Heathtop" Suzette has successfully campaigned CH Brinkley Ballet Dancer on Heathtop and, more recently, CH. Brinkley Jack the Lad to their titles.
Passed by the Kennel Club to award Challenge Certificates in the breed in 1992 Suzette has judged at championship level in the UK and abroad on many occasions and also judges other breeds.
Suzette is a Vice-President and Committee member.
PAULINE RUDD
VICE PRESIDENT AND VICE CHAIRMAN
A Londoner, Pauline now lives in Kent and has worked in a Westminster law firm for 20 years. Her first OES was bought as a pet in 1970 and Pauline owned Dutch Int. Ch. Longdorhams Folly By George Jointly with Stuart Mallard and Mark James and he lived with her until he died aged 12½ yrs.
Pauline was the club's first Hon. Secretary and along with John Smith and David Bloomfield put together the basis of the club's aims and objectives. At that time, when breed numbers were at their highest, Pauline always emphasised the importance of a club to assist pet and rescue dog owners and the need for continuing aftercare for OES and their owners beyond the initial puppy period.
An exhibitor throughout the 70s and 80s, Pauline first judged the breed in the UK in 1985 and was passed by the Kennel Club to award CC's in 1995. She has since judged at Championship level in the UK and internationally. She has also been involved with and judges other breeds.
Pauline is a Vice-President, Vice-Chairman and joint editor of the club magazine "Yours Faithfully".
TANYA PORTER - CHAIRMAN
Tanya works for a large company as a Senior Manger in charge of 23 staff and is responsible for the distribution of a £56 million yearly contract.
Tanya was brought up with the successful Mellowdee OES family and it was a foregone conclusion that, following her marriage, she herself has owned OES for the past 10 years. Tanya is an active OES exhibitor having owned and exhibited Mellowdee Mad About the Boy; Mellowdee Making Whoopi; Lillipop Pretty Peach of Mellowdee and Mellowdee Magic Sparkle.
Tanya joined the Greater London OES Club committee 12 years ago and became the club stock manger, manning and organising our successful club stall for many years. Tanya also recently completed the Food Hygine Certificate on behalf of the club - her bacon rolls are the best in the business.
Tanya is the youngest member of the GLOES committee and became the club's Chairman in February 2008 taking over this role from Suzette Rogers.
JUNE WILKINSON - HON SECRETARY
June, born and raised in London, decided to pursue a career in the male dominated world of engineering in Petrochemicals. She grew up with dogs and owned her first bobtail in 1980.
Under her Kalaju affix she campaigned Ch. Kalaju Resident Rascal and his daughter Ch. Hollyham Little Rascal at Kalaju to their titles and won the Bitch CC at Crufts 1992. Her more recent champions include Ch. Mellowdee Must be Magic at Kalaaju JW and Ch. Kalaju Klassy Rascal JW.
June is currently showing Ch Kalaju Klassy Rascal was the breed's Top Puppy in 2005, Best Puppy at Crufts 2006 and the breed's Top Bitch for 2007.
June has judged across Britain and has awarded C.C's since 1996. She has also judged in Europe.
June has been on the committee since 1985 and served as cup steward and show manager for open & championship shows including the club's first championship show. June produced a number of the Books of Champions and has been Hon. Secretary of the club since 1992. As such represents the Club and its membership at meetings of OES organizations.
SONJA RUTLAND - TREASURER
Sonja has roots in London and Wales and, having worked in London for over 20 years Sonja now works at a local Veterinary surgery near to her Biggin Hill home which is also the home of Mellowdee OES.
Sonja has owned OES since the 1960s and under her well known affix Mellowdee has exhibited and bred successfully for more than 3 decades. Her home-bred champions include Ch Mellowdee Simply The Best, Ch Mellowdee My Lady, Ch Mellowdee Mister Magical, Ch Mellowdee Must be Magic at Kalaju, Brazillian & Multi Ch Myriams Boy and she also campaigned Ch Brinkley Magical Pearl of Mellowdee to her title.
Sonja currently exhibits Mellowdee Major Tom and Mellowdee Izzadora.
Sonja has judged the breed since 1994 and was passed by the Kennel Club to judge at championship level in 2006.
Sonja first joined the GLOES club committee in 1987 and became Hon. Treasurer in 1999.
