In 1989 Diana Porter (now Sadler) decided that ringcraft classes were needed in the Headley / Grayshott area. She owned a pet supplied and grooming business in Grayshott for sometime and many of her customers had expressed an interest in showing but did not know hot to go about it. Diana herself showed and judged Cockers and Longhaired Dachshunds under her affix GEMSHORN and had many contacts within the showing fraternity.


Headley Village Hall seemed eminently suitable for classes, particularly as the Village Green was available in fine weather, and as I lived in Headley I did much of the administration while Diana took the weekly classes.


There was immediate support for the classes, an informal committee was soon chosen and it was decided to apply to the Kennel Club for registration of a Ringcraft Club. This involved a lot of paperwork, including writing a club constitution, followed by a lengthy wait for the Kennel Club to confirm official registration, which was received in April 1990.

As the number of members grew, an annual points scheme evolved by which placings at shows were awarded points and at each AGM the winners were recorded in the minutes (e.g. Best Puppy, Best Adult, etc…). Weekly classes have been continued ever since, taken by many visiting teachers as well as some of the more experienced members.


An Exemption Show (now Companion Dog Show) is held on the Village Green each August Bank Holiday, judged by various well-known judges, and these draw entries from a wide area. Club matches and inter-club matches are held periodically and the proceeds from Club activities are donated to a charity chosen annually by the committee.


Puppy Classes (for baby puppies over 12 weeks old) have been organised periodically taken by qualified instructors, as well as Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog training and testing. Eye tests are held twice a year, at which an approved canine ophthalmist tests 40/50 dogs each session.


During the early years a dog photographer attended during a class to take professional pictures of members’ dogs, either for use in breed club yearbooks or advertisements. One photographer subsequently painted portraits from photographs he had taken, which members were able to purchase. In 1996 dogs, belonging to some of the members, were used to illustrate various breeds in “The Complete Dog Book” by Dr Peter Larking and Mike Stockman.


Diana became Mrs Robin Sadler in 1995 and moved to Manchester and early in 2000 I moved to Devon. We were both subsequently made Life Members and we are very pleased that the Club has continued to flourish in the capable hands of the Officers and the Committee, supported by many loyal members.