Welcome to North of England Gloster Canary Club

Introduction

The First Twenty Five Years

The coming millennium is also the twenty fifth anniversary of the North of England Gloster Club. The club was founded in Bedlington Northumberland, which is still the home of the club by a group of fanciers intent on developing the Gloster Fancy Canary in the North East of England.

The founder members were chairman Jack Beal, secretary Austin Middlemiss, president John Scott. Other members present at the inaugural meeting were A. Middlemiss Snr., Bill Watson, Dick Jenkins (Frank Price's uncle), John Martin and Philip Anthony. The meeting was held in the Wharton Arms Bedlington in the early part of 1975.

The first show in 1976 was won by novice exhibitors Mr. & Mrs. Moore with an unflighted corona cock, the best champion being an unflighted buff consort hen shown by A. & A. Middlemiss. That first show was held in the Red Cross Centre Morpeth and is now held in Bebside Welfare Blyth.

Past officials of the club have ensured continuation as can be seen by the names of the fanciers who have held the official posts. Presidents; Mr. John Scott, and Mr. Ronnie Cambell M.P. Chairman; Mr. Jack Beal, Mr. Norman Wallace, and Mr. Austin Middlemiss Jnr. Secretary; Mr. Austin Middlemiss Jnr., Mr. John Martin, Mr. Philip Anthony, Mr. Norman Wallace, and Mr. Tony Thompson. This continuation has allowed the club to develop with a strong base and a steady influx of novices who have developed into prominent champion exhibitors over the years.

The first overseas fancier was the past International Gloster Breeders Association (I.G.B.A.) president Mr. Dominique Frenoy from Belgium. This association with Belgium continued in 2000 when Mr. John Vanderstraeten judged the show for the second occasion, with Mr. & Mrs. Barrett from Kings Lynn.

One of the highlights for the club was achieved at the 1999 I.G.B.A. club show when the club won the team competition. The team members who each nominated four birds were, Wallace & Storey, Middlemiss & Thompson, G. Thompson, B. Alexander and Butler & Towle. B. Alexander also took the top two novice awards at the same show. This feat was also achieved in the clubs jubilee year of 2000. The team members on this occasion were, Wallace & Storey, Middlemiss & Thompson, E. Clarke, B. Alexander and J. Morgan. This success continued for a third year in 2001 with the following team:- Wallace & Storey, Middlemiss & Thompson, B. Alexander, J. Morgan & G. Brown.

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