Presented here is but a
small selection of the large
amount of material collected
by Mr Alan Mather ‘Rubec’

 

top right — a montage
depicting four of
Northumberland and
Durham Collie Club’s most
loyal servants, each serving
the club as president at
sometime during the past
forty-six years.
     clockwise they are:

Mr R. Stothard ‘Wearmouth’
joined in 1923, serving the club in
various capacities until promoted to
President in 1961.

Mr Tom D. Purvis ‘Danvis’ undertook many
positions until Mr Stothard recommended
him as his successor to the Presidential
post in 1968, a post he held until his
death in 1980.

Mrs Mary Tweddle ‘Arcot’ served as
secretary for fifteen years from 1954 before
being elected President in 1981, again
serving until her death in 1994.

Mr Alan P. Mather ‘Rubec’ held the
secretarial post for twenty-one years
from 1971 before being elevated to
Chairman in 1992 and since 1997 Alan
has taken on the role of President.

 

centre right — 1980 saw the Northumberland and Durham Collie Club celebrating 70 years service to Collie exhibitors and breeders. The principal event of the year, where the atmosphere was only marred by the unexpected death of the club’s genial president
Tom Purvis, being the club’s Championship Show in April. This image shows Chairman,
Mr F. Coats ‘Philasteve’ presenting judge Mrs Ada Bishop ‘Laund’ with a memento to remind her of the occasion, together with the welcoming sign and celebratory rosettes for all place dogs.

 

Like many pre-war clubs the Northumberland and Durham Collie Club did not seek
Kennel Club registration until after it was well established. The bottom right image reproduces the club’s application for registration.

 

Clicking on each of these images will bring up additional material,
either as a large formal image or full size facsimile reproduction
in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.

During his tenure as secretary of the Northumberland and Durham Collie Club,
Mr Alan Mather ‘Rubec’ painstakingly compiled a very detailed history, which includes both photographic and written records, of the major and minor changes
since the club’s foundation
in 1910.

Amongst the several pages of data, which condense minute book information, can be found a complete record of all the changes to the club’s structure, and management. With biographical notes and photographic records of the Northumberland and Durham Collie Club’s more active members as well as a detailed record of the shows it has organised, including copies of early catalogues.

The whole being an example to all Breed Club’s of what can be achieve with dedication and perseverance. It is intended that once archiving is completed the material will be typeset in such a way that easy publication will be possible, either electronically or in hard copy.