Club history

50 Years On

by Anita Gowing

In 2014, the current President, Chair, Secretary and Vice-Chair were elected to serve alongside the incumbent Treasurer. New committee members were also elected and the prime objective of the committee was to build on the legacy of our founders and subsequent committees and develop the Club as the premier border collie breed club in the UK.
In 2017, the late Doug Collier hung up his balance sheet after 40 odd years as Treasurer and was succeeded by Nik Knight. Over the last decade, the Club has built up a core committee working alongside the Officers to take the Club forward into the 21st century. We also have long-standing partnerships with trusted organisations and individuals who help us to deliver our objectives and provide the best possible experiences for our members and non-members. Embracing technological developments such as updating ‘real-time’ show results on Fosse Data’s website, makes the Club more inclusive and accessible to those not at the shows; we have also provided a remote link to our AGM so that those members unable to attend because of geographic location or other reasons, can join those present at the meeting and participate in the business of the Club.
Of course, at the heart of the Club are our members and exhibitors, without who’s continued support the Club would not exist. In our breed, we have recognised exceptional commitment with Lifetime Achievement awards and special awards to those who have made up full Champions – a very exclusive club!
There have been many successes along the way, including at Crufts 2016 winning Best Breed Stand and Discover Dogs Best Pastoral Booth and overall Runner Up. This was repeated in 2025, when we won Crufts Discover Dogs Best Pastoral Booth. Our shows and events have developed over the years to include a second Championship Breed show, Photographic Competition and herding days.
So, in the Club’s 50th year of Kennel Club registration, we celebrate all that has brought us to this point and pay tribute to the intrepid group of enthusiasts who fought so hard to gain Kennel Club recognition of our breed and registration of our breed club.

We are forever indebted to these pioneers of our breed; here’s to the next 50 years.