100-yr-old trophy sheds new light on exotic attractions once on offer at Llanrwst Rural Show
A 100-year-old trophy has been unearthed which sheds new light on the exotic attractions once offered by Llanrwst Rural Show.
The North Wales Pekingese Challenge Cup, for the best Pekingese dog in show, was among a haul of artefacts and curios uncovered by the event’s new organising team.
It follows the death in the past year of show stalwarts and former secretaries Dorothy Roberts and Eric Metcalf, both assiduous collectors of archive material from the Conwy Valley event.
Among the “discoveries” was a show schedule dating back to 1924 and a ticket for the grandstand at the 1923 show.
There was also a catalogue costing one shilling for an open dog show – and in a twist of fate, the show is launching new fun dog classes at this year’s event.
Saturday’s competition now includes “Most Handsome Dog,” “Prettiest Bitch” and “A Child’s Best Friend”.
Show chairman Geraint Roberts said: “It is ironic that these historic show catalogues were found in the year that new classes for pet dogs were announced.
“We hope the classes will go down well on Saturday.”
Subsequent research revealed the Pekingese Challenge Cup was presented to the show by Miss Rowlands of Bangor and H Marriner Biggs of Llandudno.
Among the guarantors to the Kennel Club were Frank Platt, who listed his telephone number as “Seven, Glan Conwy”!
Inaugural cup winner, in 1915, was Miss FA Felton’s Sooling.
In 1916 and 1919 it went to Mr HM Brigg, firstly to his Pearl of Glenorme, then to Wo Rikky-Dikky.
Early Pekinese enthusiasts were Mrs and Miss Passmore, who collected the trophy three times between 1922 and 1925 with a dog call Pete Boi.
Their run of success was interrupted only by Miss MA Rowland’s Pun Chu, who won in 1924.
Llanrwst Rural Show’s early schedules also reveal the wider event in a new context.
Then held on Gwydr Park, Llanrwst, admission in 1924 was two shillings and six pence for adults and a shilling for children.
Access to the best seats in the grandstand cost four shillings, or half a crown for other seats.
The 1924 show had classes for Shire and light horses, cattle, sheep and pigs, honey, bread and cheese.
One class that has long since disappeared was a “Leaping Competition for Mare or Gelding” over hurdles, bars, fences and water jumps – presumably a forerunner to showjumping.
With an enormous top prize of £12, £8 for second and £4 for third, competitors travelled from as far as Derby and Warrington.
Mr Roberts added: “Some of the companies advertising in the 1924 catalogue continue to sponsor Llanrwst Show.
“This is testimony to the support, tradition and importance still placed on this annual event.”
This year’s show is on this Saturday, August 15, on Tŷ Gwyn Fields, off the A470. For details visit the show website or contact show secretary Anwen Gwilym, 01492 642015.