About Us
Our History
The first Dovedale Sheep Dog Trials were held at Ilam in 1891, preceding the formation of the International Sheep Dog Society in 1906, and are the oldest trials in Derbyshire and one of the oldest in the UK. Following disruption during the war years, the trials started again in 1945 when the Ashbourne Young Farmers held trials under the Dovedale name and then in 1951 a group of local farmers started what was the forerunner of today’s committee. In fact, there are descendants of some of those farmers still on the committee today. The farmers contributed from their own pockets to stage the first trial, recognising that: “There is no good flock without a good shepherd and no good shepherd without a good dog”.
*Heading photo is the 1975 committee celebrating 25 years of their society.
*Left to right : Charles Etches, Fred Burton, Tom Naden, President’s lady Mrs Fred Cuff, Cyril Smith and Fred Smith.
Every year Dovedale Sheep Dog Society stages the two-day trials in August, inviting shepherds and dog handlers both locally and nationally to showcase their dogs and their skills. The summer spectacle sets benchmarks, conserves traditional skills and, hopefully, inspires the next generation to preserve the tradition. In 1967, 2008 and 2021 the Society was honoured to be invited to stage the English National Sheep Dog Trials.
During the winter months the Society holds Nursery Trials for young dogs.
Each spring, the Society holds the Tom Naden Memorial Trial in memory of the late Tom Naden who was the Society’s Chairman for some 38 years. This is a one-day event and all profits are donated to Cancer Research.
Our Team
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Mr Ben Kidd
Our 2024 President Mr Ben Kidd .
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President Elect Mr Alastair Sneddons
Alastair is a Senior Partner and Managing Partner at Bagshaws, Bakewell and is responsible for the Livestock Sales. He has over 40 years experience as an auctioneer in the Peak Distrct.
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John Etches
Chairman
The Etches family of Tissington have a long association with Dovedale. John’s father Charlie, was a long standing committee member, Chairman, past President and successful competitor. His mother Ann, is also on the committee, a past president and life member of the Society. Today John’s role is that of Chairman and is active on all aspects of it running smoothly.
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Nigel Davis
Secretary
In the early 1980’s Nigel and Ian Smith met for the first time, he became interested in sheep dog trials, having already started farming a small number of sheep in 1978, and at the Society’s AGM held on 3 March 1983 both were voted onto the committee.
Nigel served as the Society’s Chairman for the first time from 1989 to 1993, following the death of Tom Naden, then from 2003 to 2005, and from 2016 following the death of Bill Carr, to the present time. He was also the Society’s President in 1999 and Secretary from 2008 to 2013.
Nigel was the one who, with Ian Smith, made what seemed to be the impossible task of our book ‘The History of Dovedale Sheep Dog Society’ become a reality.
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Graham Nottage
Treasurer
Graham has been involved with Dovedale Sheep Dog Trials for more than 60 years. He started selling programmes at 6 years old, followed by over 30 years as a sheep catcher/shepherd at the top of the trials field. Possibly the best view of the trial, but in reverse!
He joined the committee over 40 years ago and is a Past President and has been our Treasurer for the last 17 years.
Graham says “At the 2022 AGM I was extremely honoured to become a Life Member, in recognition for my families involvement with the Trials. My late father Cecil was Timekeeper and a committee member for many years and my wife Vera is also a committee member.”
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Ian Smith
Trials Field Chief Steward
Ian is a past President and life member of the Society having joined the committee in the early 80’s.
He was one of the main stays in the production of our book ‘The History of Dovedale Sheep Dog Trials’ along with Nigel. Quite fitting, as the Smith name is synonymous to Dovedale as his Uncle’s Fred and Cyril were part of the resurgence committee that took speed in the 50’s. They farmed at Ilam Meadows as Ian does now.
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George Bonsall
Course Director
George has also had a long association with the Society and trials having been competing here since he was 16 years old when he accompanied his father Alec.
George is a life member and our essential course director.
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Caroline Carr
Facebook Adminstrator
Caroline has been involved with the society for many years having assisted her late husband Bill in his many roles with the society.
Caroline is in charge of sponsorship and our Facebook page.
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Ruth Downing
Publicity
Ruth is our official photographer at the trials and can be best identified looking through a lens ! She is also in charge of all our publicity.
We have Ruth to thank for the majority of photos on this site.
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Catherine Etches
Craft Marquee Chief Steward
Catherine is a welcome addition to the Committee following her grand parents and parents as vital members of the team.
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Barbara Wager
Trophy Steward