





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, an office 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.

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.
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.
bottom right — Like many pre-war clubs the Northumberland and Durham Collie Club did not seek Kennel Club registration until after it was well established. This final 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.