The extracts below are from an article written by The
Late Jo Hemstock for the 1985 Potteries Staffordshire Bull Terrier Year Book. This was a
special year in the history of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier since it was the Golden
Anniversary of the breeds registration with the Kennel Club and the 21st Anniversary of
the PSBTC.
Various names were proposed for the new club. One suggestion was North Staffs and District SBTC, another, the Five Town SBTC. However, at a meeting on October 3rd, 1963 the name the Potteries Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club won general favour, and thus the club was born.
The October meeting was also the one at which the club rules were drawn up. It is interesting to note that even at this early stage it was made clear that the committee would be expected to take a full share of responsibility for the club, as membership fees were fixed at six shillings single, ten shillings joint membership and 10/6 for each committee member!
It was decided to hold two sanction shows and one limited show each year (with a view to makinf plenty of new members at each show, no doubt).
Of the persons present at the April meeting, only Lionel Hemstock is still connected with the running of the club in the position of secretary, and from the October meeting only Len Pearce and myself in the positions of President and Treasurer respectively. We were all three founder members.
The first show was held on July 25th, 1964 with Lionel Hemstock having the great honour of being the judge of the 10 scheduled classes. He took over as Cecretary in 1967.
It was in 1968 that the club held its first Open Show and began the policy of giving Pottery Special prizes which have become a great feature of the shows. It has even been known for exhibitors to juggle for reserve prize insead of third when specials were offered to first and reserve in each class! However, at the Open and Championship Shows these prizes go to the first, second, third and reserve in all classes, as well as to all major winners, so everyone is satisfied.
The judges at the first Open Show were Nap Cairns and Ken Fensom. The Potteries Club likes continuity and Nap Cairns judged bitches at the Club's first Championship Show in 1979, with Harry Wall judging dogs. Since quite early on the Club has used two judges at its Shows, which has paid off in terms of improving quality of exhibits and in increasing numbers f entries. It has given experience to judges and a wide variety of opinions to exhibitors.
The Club has always followed a policy of choosing judges from all parts of Great Britain, and has played a full part in launching new people on their judging careers, as well as taking advantage of established judges to go over the dogs at its shows.
{At the PSBTC's 1985 Ch. Show} The Parade of Champions saw a magnificent thirty Champions entered, most of whom were present.
The Golden Jubilee of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was also the 21st Aniversary of this Club's establishment, so was doubly celebrated.
All are made welcome at the Potteries Shows. Our policies have paid dividends as the Club is very well estsblished financially and all its shows are well supported, not only by exhibitors, but also by spectators who would not miss a Potteries Show. One word which is continually heard on people's lips when talking about our shows is "atmosphere". Apparently the atmosphere at our shows is one which people enjoy and we hope to continue to make it so.
Jo Hemstock