OUR HISTORY

 

The Sheffield & District Bulldog Club was founded in 1910 as a 'Gentleman's Only' Club.  The original venue where club meetings were held was at Howard Street in Sheffield and well into the late forties the bulldog etched on the glass windows could still be seen. Sheffield has a long history with bulldogs, the first to ever go into the Kennel Club Stud Book named 'Adam' belonged to Jacob Lamphier and his son Fred Lamphier became one of the earliest and most influential breeders of the town. Even the Sheffield Town Hall has a miner with a bulldog carved into the stone. The early history of the club is sketchy as unfortunately most of the records have disappeared. In 1949 the club held their shows at Cemetery Road, Vestry Hall and the secretary at the time was Mr F M Summer. In 1973 Mr Herbert stood as secretary for only a year, being replaced by Mr G Walsh in 1974. The president was Mr A C Braithwaite. In Feb of 74 a show was been held called the Rally for Yorkshire and was to be held at Mrs Thorns home, a vote was taken for all bulldogs or varieties , bulldogs won. The Rally for Yorkshire involved all three Yorkshire clubs getting together as one ,Sheffield and District B.C ,Leodensian B.C and the Yorkshire B.C. The Three club Secretaries were getting together at the Leodensian Meeting to discuss the day. Unknowing to them 34 years later The Sheffield and District B.C would open her arms to her sister club the Leodensian B.C and become The Sheffield and Leodensian B.C. In 1979 saw a new Secretary Mrs A Higginbottom who had been on the committee from as far as my  records take me (1973) and also a new president Mrs M Chambers. In the 80s Mr & Mrs Haydock Would give interesting talks at the meetings ,for welping to showing . and even the odd film show. Mrs Higginbottom retired from secretary/treasurer in 1999 Due to her passing away.20 years running the club .The new secretary/treasurer was to be Cathy Shotter. All so on the same day The President Retired Mrs M Chambers and had held this position since the early 70s ,The New President was Mr F Higgingbottom. In 2004 Cathy Shotter stepped down and Sharon Evison became the new Secretary, Fred had given a lot of years to the club and on the same year he sadly decided to stand down as the clubs president ,but stayed on as a committee member till 2005 but sadly passed away in 2006 . In 2006 Sharon Evison stepped down and then Denise Lees became Secretary and still is to this day,