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On Saturday 24th May 2008, at Woking Leisure Centre, South Eastern Counties Toy Dog Society celebrated it's Diamond Anniversary Show. With gold and blue adorning the hall and interesting information about the history of the Society, including a pictorial Best In Show Roll of Honour, there was plenty for all to enjoy. We were grateful to Mr. Tom Mather, a familiar face at the London shows, for judging the variety and Best In Show classes at our prestigious event. We were also pleased to welcome back many ‘old' and new exhibitors to our show; a special mention should be made to our Pug judge, Jean Manifold who entered our show in 1962.

SECTDS's first secretary, G. King Craven, applied for the registration in April 1947. The purpose was ‘to promote shows for all toy dogs in the south eastern counties and to promote good will between breeders in their counties'. Sixty years later, with many successful toy breeders and exhibitors having been members and serving on our committee, I believe the Society has maintained this standard. With its unique committee of representatives for each toy breed, a friendly atmosphere has been created and those who have a strong interest in our group have been invited to judge. As a result, I have encountered numerous conversations with exhibitors and successful championship show judges speaking highly of our shows.

Becoming the new secretary only two years ago was an honour, as the Society has been a part of my family for 40 years. My grandfather, Arthur Brown, served as secretary for 20 years and then later as the Society's treasurer. My grandmother Ellen Brown joined the committee in 1968. She was elected as chairman 25 years later. When my grandfather became unwell, my mother, Yvonne Naylor, became treasurer. The first show I attended was in 1985 at the Porchester Hall, London; I was eight years old. I remember loading up the lift with boxes and then carrying them through the large hall filled with huge chandeliers and red curtains, then up onto the stage. The room soon became filled with exhibitors. Those were the days when health and safety wasn't as stringent, as I recall assisting Tessa Gaines, our former chairman, in preparing judges lunches in the kitchen.

As the Society celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, I found it interesting drawing on my grandparents knowledge and the many documents kept, to find out about its history. It was East Sussex Canine Society and Tunbridge Wells Canine Society who agreed to sponsor the application to allow our society with a committee of 25, to be formed. The first show took place on 1st May 1948, at Victoria Drill Hall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Since then, venues to hold our open shows have not been easy to come by. For many years, Seymour Hall was used; members still like to talk about those days when dogs were benched and the obedience classes were held on the stage. Sadly Seymour Hall was to become a leisure centre. Westminster Council offered the Society Porchester Hall which was very glamorous but eventually this too was closed to become yet another leisure centre.

Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex was our next move - not as attractive as our previous venues but parking was definitely easier and no stairs to climb! Those who attended will remember Terry Nethercott, our 50th Anniversary Best In Show judge, being a familiar face up on the balcony looking down over the show. As our entries continued to grow and there was a need to create more space, we expanded into two halls. Unfortunately, due to refurbishment, we were to move again, this time to Montem Leisure Centre in Slough, Berkshire and then to Woking Leisure Centre in Surrey.

Despite our numerous moves, the valuable work of dedicated committee members has allowed our society to thrive in producing successful shows. It is astounding the length of time many have spent serving on our committee including Marion Kerry who was our chairman for over 30 years, and Mabel Gristwood, a committee member for over 36 years. In memory of Jimmy McFarlane, who served as president and chairman along with his wife Nora, a special Open stakes class is scheduled. There was also Joan Greenwood, Molly Garrish, Lillian Davies, Rita Evans, Lady Drummond-Hay, Peggy Searl, Deborah Gaines and Muriel Lewin, our former president. At present we have a strong committee with Tom Boardman, a former secretary as president, Valerie Ford and Penny Hargrave as vice-presidents and Stuart Band, who was also secretary before me, as chairman.

Joan Greenwood served as secretary from 1961 to 1972. During the early '60's our entries were exceeding 600 exhibits, as a result the Society wished to seek championship show status. Unfortunately, this was refused due to the name of the society being regional; however they did suggest calling a meeting of all toy breed secretaries, which Joan Greenwood organised in October 1964 at the Kennel Club. Eventually, on 21st February 1971, an inaugural meeting took place. Mrs. Kerry and Mrs Greenwood represented the SECTDS. Our chairman at the time, Mrs. Kerry, opened the meeting. A committee was formed and the United Kingdom Toy Dog Society was started; Joan was made their first President. When Arthur Brown became Secretary in 1972, he then joined the UK Toy committee.

In 1961, it was decided to try obedience classes. Mrs Rossiter was the first representative, followed by Ellen Brown. Our society was the first society in the country to have obedience classes limited to Toy Dogs and it has always been very successful. Penny Hargrave took over together with Pat Ross and successfully attracted some top obedience judges, including Len Pearce who, over 38 years, judged many times at our show. Experienced judges have been so amazed at the standard of these small dogs. We produced a display team at Crufts 2000 and at Birmingham Championship Show.

We can take pride in knowing that our society has given many of today's successful judges, their first judging appointments. We have innovatively been the first society to schedule many new breeds including Bolognese, Havanese and Coton De Tulear. In particular, after Jackie Ransom, who was another familiar face at our shows, brought the Bichon Frise over to England, SECTDS first scheduled them in 1974.

SECTDS continues it aim to improve, adapt and embrace change, and four years ago, one result of this was the introduction of our website: www.sectoydogs.fsnet.co.uk. In 2004, the Society also held its first companion dog show, organised by our vice chairman, Diana Rich. This event continues to be held at the Royal Veterinary College in Hatfield, Hertfordshire and each year half the money raised each year is donated to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.

Now SECTDS celebrates its 60th birthday and the officers and committee would like to thank everyone for their support over the years and look forward to succesful years ahead.