Sybil Churchill dies

This article has 3 Comment(s)

SYBIL CHURCHILL who died in the early hours of October 2 at the age of 82, following a series of strokes, was one of Britain's most outstanding dog-show administrators.
As secretary of the Ladies' Kennel Association for 30 years, chairman of the West of England Ladies' Kennel Society and for some years chairman of the Kennel Club's Crufts Committee, she made an indelible mark on the show scene, running several of what were at the time the biggest shows ever held.
A stickler for correct procedure, she was renowned for her efficiency and attention to the minutest detail and for upholding the highest standards. No one would expect to send in a late entry to the LKA and have it accepted, nor dare to take any short cuts.
Although her methods could seem old-fashioned – it was always said that the LKA was organised from round Miss Churchill's kitchen table – she was at the same time forward-thinking, and during her tenure of the chair at Crufts the show continued its progress as the showpiece for every aspect of the dog world.
The contrast between the two shows held at the National Exhibition Centre could not have been greater – LKA the no-frills ultimate 'exhibitors' show', and Crufts the great extravaganza, yet Miss Churchill was at home at both events, and recognised the need for both. The excellent relationship she built up with the NEC staff was a major factor in the success of both events.
A diminutive yet, when she chose, formidable figure, she had a striking dress sense. Never less than immaculate, she was renowned for her colourful outfits, and except at LKA, which she regarded as 'home' she was almost never to be seen without wearing one of her large collection of stylish hats.
She lived almost all her life in Gloucestershire, for many years in a charming cottage at Horsley which she left just a few months ago.
An early hobby was bell ringing and it was from this that she derived her kennel name, Campanologia. She was also interested in politics from a young age, chairing her local party committee. Needless to say she was CHAIRMAN, not chair or chairperson! She was an generous hostess, an excellent cook, a keen gardener and also enjoyed travelling.
Her father kept English Springers and her own first dog was a hunt terrier. On his death her father bought her a Cairn Terrier, and it was with her that she first ventured into the show ring.
She won her first CC in 1959 with Campanologia Hold Me Close and later won 11 CCs with Ch Campanologia Pricket.
In the early '50s she had shown a Borzoi, Lancelot of Rydens, and they are pictured in Winifred Chadwick's book on the breed.
Her other main interest was in Border Terriers in which she handled Ch Hawkesburn Happy Returns to her title, and founded her line on her daughter. Ch Campanologia Swirrel Edge was made up by Peter and Maureen Thompson.
She first awarded CC in Cairns in 1966 and in Borders six years later; she never wanted to judge beyond her own breeds.
From an early stage she devoted much of her time to running canine societies, starting with the City of Bristol CS, of which she became president, then West Country Dog Club, Stroud CS which she chaired, and the dog section of the West Wilts Agricultural Society, of which she was secretary.
She served as chairman and later president of the Cairn Terrier Association, and on the committee of the Southern Border Terrier Club.
She was elected to the WELKS committee in 1963 and became chairman on the death of Diana Hamilton in 1979, a position she still held at the time of her death. She succeeded Ann Brown as secretary of the LKA in 1977, masterminded the move from London to the NEC the following year, remaining in office for the next 30 years and through the centenary celebrations of 2004. After her retirement she was elected the association's first honorary life member, as well as a vice-president.
She was one of the first women to serve on a Kennel Club committee after they were granted full membership, and soon afterwards was elected to the General Committee, on which she remained until reaching the retirement age. Her contribution to the KC was considerable, serving on the liaison council, the Show Regulation, Executive and Judges Sub-Committee, including several years as vice-chairman of the latter.
Ten years after her election to the Crufts Sub-Committee, she became vice-chairman in 1993, succeeding Mark Hutchings as chairman three years later, serving until 2003.
Her husband, Ernest Morley, died in 1976.