History of the Welsh Lop Circle

*Thank you to everyone who helped to fill in some of the missing history of the club for this article*

At a show held by the South Wales Rabbit Club in 1986 I met up with Ken & Eileen Blake and they agreed that as there were area Lop Circles for every other area accept Wales; it would be a good idea to sound the lop fanciers out about forming a Welsh Lop Circle.

This we did at that show and got an extremely favourable reaction, resulting in arranging a meeting at the next Hereford show with a view to forming a working committee to get it off the ground.

At this meeting the following members attended Chris Humphreys, Vic Ingram, Ken & Eileen Blake, Graham & carol Squires (Tyne Bryn Stud), Mr & Mrs Cawdrey, Mrs Lloyd & Miss Turner, Val & Grahame Court, Clare Bradley, Dora Coglan, Hilary & Dave Cannon and David Williams (Butch Stud)
It was at this meeting that the officers and committee were elected. President was Peter Ralphes, Secretary was Eileen Blake & Treasurer was Ken Blake. An application was made for the formation of the Welsh Lop Circle to the BRC, who approved the move.

The BRC ruled that the Welsh Lop Circle can only hold shows in Wales and all committee members must live in Wales.

Originally, 4 shows a year were held with Welsh clubs. Two shows to be held in North/Mid Wales & two in South Wales. Shows were held in the next few years at the Royal Welsh, Anglesey and other North Wales shows which regretfully no longer exist. Also at the Welsh National show at Llantrisant, Pontypool Club, Nantgarw Club and the South Wales Club at Newport. In these early days shows were well supported and the National French & Dwarf Lop also held one of their stock shows at Newport as it was felt that if there was a circle in Wales then the NFDLC should hold one of their shows here. Chris Humphreys was honoured to be the judge on this memorable occasion which drew a fantastic entry.

Trophies were donated by Ken and Eileen Blake, Dave & Hilary Cannon, Raven Stud & Steve Probert.

In 1987 the Welsh Lop Circle held a show at the Welsh Championship show and raised an entry of 155 for the judge Ken Blake to sort out. The Best in show on this occasion was a lovely French Lop owned by Hazel and Sarah Elliott.

1988 saw an entry of 150 entered under Jane Williams. Again the show was held at Llantrisant.

It was at this show when the first club pin badges were on sale for £1. A big thanks to Eileen Blake for bringing the badge to our show, here's a picture of the badge.

In 1994 Ken and Eileen Blake resigned, Sally Carrick took over as Secretary and Sheila Bowdan took over as treasurer. A new committee was formed as well consisting of Raven Hill Stud, Pete & Sadie Cornish, Graham & Carol Squires, Dave Wallstead & Alison Cawdrey. Ken & Eileen were made life members by the new committee. From then the committee held most of their shows at Pontypool.
In 1997 the club was handed back to Ken and Eileen Blake. Steve Probert was give the roles of Chairman, press rep and trophy steward.
In the years 1997 – 1999 newspapers were collected for recycling to raise funds for club championship certificates. A champion was to be made up by winning 5 best of breeds under national lop judges (I personally think this was more likely to be 5 challenge certificates rather than 5 best of breeds – this certainly seems more likely.)

It was handed over to Steve Lane in 2002 and Dave White was made chairman. During this time the club was only holding one to two shows per year, entirely in South Wales. The committee consisted of Nicola Bray, Julie Bray and Amanda White. Steve stepped down in 2003 and Nicola Bray was appointed Secretary.

It was in 2006, after the sad passing of Julie Bray, that the existing committee decided to co-opt 3 new committee members to help reinvigorate the club. These members were Becca Ryan, Kevin Moses and Melanie Wilshire. Due to the change in secretaries over the years the new committee found that the club had lost many of its original features.

In 2006 the committee decided that for 2007 they would try and bring the club back to its former standing. So they increased the amount of shows back to the minimum of four per year, brought in all new trophies and rosettes which were kindly donated. They have also brought back WLC championships, which have been reworded and have also given you a choice of 3 types of certificate which can be personalised for you. The club also has a brand new logo which is now proudly shown off on the new embroidered, pin badges and other merchandise.

In August 2007 Nicola Bray stepped down as WLC secretary due to family and work commitments. Nicola decided to stay on as a committee member. Becca Ryan was appointed the role of Secretary.

In 2008 the club is holding two more shows, so there will be SIX shows instead of four. The committee went up to North Wales to hold a show with Anglesey Rabbit Club on the 18th May, which went extremly well. The WLC also attended the Royal Welsh on the 23rd July, it was a fantastic show and we had the highest entry the club has seen in over 10 years of 120 lops. These two shows have now been added to our list and we hope to continue going there for many years to come.

Over the last year the support that has been shown by WLC members is amazing, Entries have increased and support that members have shown the committee has been greatly appreciated. This year the committee have welcomed myself(Chris Humphreys) and Andrew Lipski to the committee.

The Circle was formed for the WHOLE of Wales and it is rewarding that now, as originally agreed and planned that shows are going to be resumed in North Wales we cannot expect loppers from North Wales to support/join a WELSH Circle whose shows are held entirely in South Wales.

I ask all fanciers to support this new and hard working committee to continue their good work in lifting the circle back to its former standing.

While the BRC stipulated that all committee members and officers must live in Wales, membership should be open to anyone who wishes to join. In particular the fanciers just over the border. The more the merrier.

Lets all get behind this enthusiastic committee and help them restore the welsh lop circle back to its former glory. They are doing a really grand job and have already lifted it back off the ground. They can’t do it all – we must all support the shows and help wherever possible.

Thank you to everyone who helped to fill in some of the missing history of the club.