CLUB HISTORY

The Northern Griffon Bruxellois Club

 

IN 1951 TWO REGIONAL CLUBS WERE FORMED:
The Northern Griffon Bruxellois Club with Lady Lewthwaite as the first President, Mr Holland Gaunt and Mrs Allen as Chairman and Secretary. Founder members included Mrs Eileen Street (Skibereen) and Miss Anne Tyler (Shelvey). Their first show, a sanction show, was held in 1954 and that same year Miss Ursula Gregory took over the reins as Secretary, a significant event as she remained in that post for over 30 years! One of four spinster sisters whose Gregtoi kennels were well known for both Griffons and Pekingese. Another of the sisters, Esther, became Treasurer in 1955 and only gave up in 1984 due to ill health. Undoubtedly it was due to Ursula’s drive and enthusiasm that the club flourished. Of the nine champions the Gregorys bred the great Ch Gregtoi Hunters Melody was the top winning Griffon for a number of years and the CC record holder for some time. He was owned and campaigned by a, then, very young man who is now one of today’s top breeders and judges – Howard Ogden.

Maureen Higgins, who was the club’s last President before her death in 2013, she was one of the NGBC’s greatest supporters whose name will always be linked with the “Northern”! Maureen also produced the excellent “Northern Newsletter” over many years, this role has recently been taken over by Joan Fernyhough and Rev Ann Hyde

The current Officers and Committee are:

PRESIDENT: Rev Miss Sue Rose
CHAIRPERSON: Mr Steven Harrison
VICE-CHAIR: Vacant
SECRETARY: Mrs Denise Hopewell
TREASURER: Mrs Joan Fernyhough
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Mrs Margaret Cook
Ms Clair Egan
Ms Denise Hopewell
Mrs Mary Ann Mercer
Mr Alan Milward
Ms Lisa Wood