In 1971, I purchased a blue belton puppy of an entirely different type to keep him company. Small but well balanced, Pilsdon Wolvershill Saga won consistently at championship shows (1st Windsor, 1st LKA). Sadly, he damaged his spine while chasing birds under a fence and became paralysed at the age of 5 years. He was by Sh Ch RENMARK EDGAR, ex WOLVERSHILL SENSATION.

In 1973, I was benched next to Mrs Gladys Jenkins (PENYCAE) at Alexandra Palace. It was here that a 'Rescue Service' was discussed and, from this, the English Setter Rescue was formed.

The first dog to come to me on rescue was a skinny, wilful Orange dog called Adam Ahasuerus who, by the time he was fit to rehome, had worked his way into my heart. He was later to be Sh Ch ADAM AHASUERUS, who became the foundation dog for all future Pilsdons, eventually winning Three CCs and 1 Reserve CC. He was by SUNTOP WINTERBIRD, ex OLDHOLBANS CARAWAY.

In 1974, Adam sired a litter - his only litter - to OWNWAYS SAY WHO YOU ARE.

I took a puppy in exchange for a stud fee and he was YEOMAN of PILSDON. He gained his studbook number in 1980 and had the best conformation of any dog I have ever known.

In 1978, Yeoman produced a beautiful litter to GORSEBROOK DANCE AROUND. I kept two boys.

Poacher of Pilsdon (orange) was my Dog of a Lifetime, a flamboyant dog who loved showing. He won several Ch Sh first prizes, including Limit at Paignton in 1981, when a first in limit was not accepted as a qualification for the studbook. The rule was recinded the following year. Sadly, Poacher was tragically killed in1982, on his 4th birthday, just four days after Crufts.

In 1979, I moved from Surrey to Devon and, for the first time, had the facilities to keep a bitch. It was at this time that WISTASTON SUMA SCHOOL of PILSDON joined the clan and became my foundation bitch.
By her, Yeoman produced a litter, of which PILSDON PIRATE and PILSDON PERSEPHONE were retained.

After the death of my beloved Poacher, his full brother, LYKEWATER PARTRIDGE of PILSDON took over as chief stud.

He sired two litters, one to WISTASTON SUMA SCHOOL of PILSDON, from which PILSDON PICKWICK was retained. To Yeoman's daughter, Persephone, Partridge produced the CC winning PILSDON PAPRIKA and PILSDON BLACK PEPPER

Black Pepper (right), mated to WISTASTON SUMA SCHOOL of PILSDON, produced my next kennel bitch, PILSDON CALLIOPE and the good winner PILSDON KING PLUTO of ROYLESTONE.

By now, it is 1987. I retained a bitch puppy from Pickwick's first litter to Persephone; she was PILSDON PICTURE PERFECT but, unhappily, she died in tragic circumstances.

In 1990, Black Pepper was mated to FREESONG SIMONS GIRL, and I kept my next kennel stud, PILSDON PIED PIPER. He sired a litter to Calliope in 1992 and, to great surprise, produced two Liver Beltons, two Liver and Tan, two Blue Beltons and two Tricolours.

I retained the Liver Belton PILSDON PEARLY PRIDE. He has the most beautiful head, but has never reproduced. Nine months later, the Piper/Calliope mating was repeated and a beautiful Liver and Tan girl, PILSDON PEARLY SHELL joined the CHEYNEYGATE kennels where, despite her colouring, she won at Championship Shows.

PILSDON PICKWICK sired a litter in 1992 to WISTASTON SCHOOL INSET and produced the dam of Sh. Ch. WISTASTON SCHOOL BELLTIME.

For the last ten years, I have followed an operatic career, which has meant no time for shows or puppies. Theatre or Rehearsals clash with shows.

Other dogs related to this kennel include:

• DEWSETT MAN OF THE MOMENT
• WISTASTON PRELUDE OF PILSDON
• CHELSET FUGAL FERGUS OF PILSDON
• PILSDON PERCIVAL
• PILSDON PRIVITEER
• TUNSHILL TRIPLE TIPPLE
• PILSDON PROUD PEARL
• WISTASTON PADGEANT of PILSDON