OBITUARIES Les Brabban - Cambremer Labradors
Those of us who have been showing a long time will be very sorry to hear that Les Brabban of the Cambremer Labradors has passed away. A friend to us all, the kindest of men, polite, charming, never loud, or big-headed, just a thoroughly decent man, who with his wife, Joyce, bred, reared, and showed some of the best Labradors that judges and exhibitors could ever wish to see. Les’ dogs were often benched next to mine at shows, and a memory I shall always retain was Les, whilst waiting for his classes at shows, would sit on an empty bench, oblivious of what was going on in the dog show ring, quietly studying horse racing form in the newspaper. I think he was quite successful with his wagers. When the time came to show his dogs, he did so very gently, with no fuss or fidgeting, just calm and gentle… the dogs adored him. The Cambremer kennel was built up by Les and his wife, Joyce over many years, the lines were used successfully by top kennels throughout the show Labrador world. Les and Joyce both judged the breed and had many friends throughout the Labrador world. Richard Edwards has written about the Cambremer kennel and the stock sired for other kennels in minute detail in his book “The Show Labrador Retriever in Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1945 - 1995”, and he has kindly allowed me to reproduce his account of the Cambremer Labradors in my Our Dogs Breed Notes of the 27th. November and 4th. December 2020. Wonderful people, lovely dogs. I understand that Les had not enjoyed the best of health for a while. Our sincere heartfelt condolences go to Joyce and their sons. Ann Britton
Catherine Hadwen - Beltarn Labradors
Over Christmas sad news came from Anne Johnson, of the passing of Catherine Hadwen, Beltarn Labradors. She was a breeder of excellent Labradors and a longstanding member of Midland Counties Labrador Retriever Club. Catherine was the school nurse/matron of Repton School for many years, and on her retirement, she moved from the Midlands back to her home near Swansea. Although asthmatic and suffering with breathing problems for a long time, it was a brain tumour which finally took her in the end. Catherine’s best known Labrador was the champion black dog, Sh. Ch. Beltarn Diuma of Newinn, who was owned and campaigned by Rosemary Hewitt (Newinn). Born in 1986, he was sired by Ch. Kupros Master Mariner out of Beltarn Princess Goda, a daughter of Newinn Natterjack. Diuma won 15 CCs, 8 RCCs and eight Best of Breeds, was Top Winning Labrador in 1988, including Best in Show at the Labrador Retriever Club’s championship show from a near 500 dog entry, under Erica Jayes and referee, Jo Coulton. He sired the black dog, Sh. Ch. Newinn Clint Black and black bitch, Sh. Ch. Newinn Greenfinch and her yellow sister, Newinn Goldfinch, who won 1 CC. Yet another page in our breed history has turned. Our condolences go to Catherine’s husband and family. Ann Britton 8
