News

The Persian Smoke and Tipped Breed Advisory Committee is keen to promote the development of the Chinchilla group of cats, and to this end a huge amount of work has been done to develop a new breeding policy and standards of points for the Chinchilla, Blue Chinchilla, Silver Shaded, Blue Silver Shaded, Golden and Blue Golden.

Please give these you consideration and send feedback to Ed Merchant (Hon Sec of BAC) e.merchant@virginmedia.com A presentation will also be made on this at the forthcoming Guild of Judges and Stewards Seminar on 16th October. We hope as many members as possible will come along to Mappleborough Green and share their views.

We have all noticed a drastic reduction of the numbers of Chinchillas being shown these days, and emergency measures need to be put into place if we are to preserve this wonderful breed. The suggestion is that after everyone has seen these documents and if there is a consensus of agreement we will submit them to GCCF for the Boards consideration at the November meeting.

Please assist by informing all members you know about these important documents, and the forthcoming seminar.

Des was a quiet gentle man with a great deal of knowledge which he was always ready to share.  He headed the Cameo club as Chairman- his character and his leadership will be greatly missed and a hard act to follow.

His love of cats was apparent and I have  a picture of Des at the NW Show in 1983 when his beloved Cabriole Soumac was best LH adult and her grandson Cabriole Crispin best LH kitten, quite an achievement for a breeder.  Together with Barbara  they contributed to the progression of the Cameos producing some wonderful examples and I am proud to say that Cabriole Cameo Tristan is in the background of most of my cats.
 
Des was a very popular Judge attracting many entries to his classes due I think to his genuine affection for cats, he was a  positive looking person who approached his judging in the same way  by looking for the good points in an exhibit and with kind and generous descriptions in his show reports,   I believe he set an example to be followed.

Des’ studied cat genetics and produced a chart showing colours produced from certain matings.   He also produced a book with details of the genetics of the different breeds and coat patterns with simple and Easy to understand drawings.  I believe this book and certainly the chart to be something all cat breeders should be very thankful for. 

I’m sure we all wish to offer our very deep sympathy to Barbara and his family for their loss and we will remember Des with many happy memories,  Many of us shared with the family their Golden and Diamond wedding last year.

Frances van Heumen, Highspot Persians

The Officers & Committee of the Cameo, Pewter & Smoke Cat Society were saddened to hear of the death of our Chairman, Mr. Des Leigh. Des has been a member of the Club and Committee for very many years, latterly as our Chairman. He played a very important role in gaining recognition for our Cameos and Pewters, both with his knowledge of genetics and the breeding and showing of his lovely Cameos, under his Cabriole prefix.

He was a popular and knowledgeable judge always willing to offer help and advice. Des was my friend for over 30 years as well as advisor and mentor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Our deepest sympathies go to Barbara and his family.

Pat Perkins

LANGFORD VETERINARY SERVICES.

The Club has recently registered with Langford who will give members a 20% discount on any tests they may wish to have done.  There are also reductions for any multiple tests done on the same cat at the same time.

Full information can be found on their website :-  www.langfordvets.co.uk/laboratory_owners.htm

Members who wish to use their services, should contact the membership secretary, Mrs Frances van Heumen on Email  itshenk@btinternet.com  for the special promotional code for our club which must be added to the submission form when submitting samples.

IMPORTANT DISCOUNT.

We have now registered our club with www.animalsdna.com  who will give club members a 10% discount for any tests they may require.

If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please contact Francis van Heumen for the special code you will need to add to your submission form(s)