The History of Dovedale book

                                             THE HISTORY OF DOVEDALE SHEEP DOG TRIALS

Just before the English National Sheepdog Trials were held at Dovedale in Derbyshire, at the end of July 2021, two of the Society’s long-standing committee members, Nigel Davis and Ian Smith, both of whom were voted onto the committee on the same evening in 1983 had this fascinating book published.

Dovedale is the oldest of the sheepdog trials in Derbyshire and one of the oldest in England dating back to the first trials, held behind the Izaak Walton Hotel, Ilam, on the 25 and 26 September 1891. The book which runs to almost 500 pages is one of, if not, the most detailed of any such publication, containing a wealth of information of interest not only to sheep dog trialling afficionados but also those interested in social history, local family history, and indeed the beautiful countryside in and around Dovedale. Extracts from press reports of the trials are supplemented by comments from the authors, and some 210 photographs.

In addition to the story, there are details of past winners and past office holders, as well as adverts from the main sponsors.

Copies so far have gone as far afield as California and Pennsylvania, Scotland, including Orkney, as well as many parts of England and Wales.

Among comments received to date are the following:

“I have just started reading it. What a wonderful tribute to the Dovedale Sheep Dog Trials. It is amazing how much history you have been able to compile…….”

“The book is superb and an inspiration”

“The book is a masterpiece of research and perseverance”

“Brilliant”

All proceeds are going to the Dovedale Sheep Dog Society, hopefully, to enable it to continue for another 130 years.