I was sorry to hear the sad news about our President Helen Light who died recently. Helen was a founder member of the club and was Chairman from the beginning only retiring from the role a few years ago. As the club was formed in 1955 she took on the role for over 50 years which is no mean feat and possibly a record.

The club has been given a collection of show catalogues from over the years. The earliest in the collection is for an Exemption Show held on a Wednesday in August 1960 at the Selwyn Hall in Bournemouth. Helen was showing an Abyssinian PR Hassan Song bred by the late Madge Shrouder another founder member and Hon. Secretary at the time.

Wessex committee meetings chaired by Helen were always enjoyable and a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. She had a wealth of knowledge and experience from all her years in the cat fancy but her main focus was always “the cats”.

The Wessex Cat Club won’t be the same without Helen’s presence. Despite her failing health she managed to judge at our show last year but was missed at the 2012 show a few weeks ago. It is our AGM this Sunday (25th March) and Helen will be very much in our thoughts.

Condolences to her sister Marjory and all who knew her.

Val Anderson
Vice Chairman
Wessex Cat Club
(on behalf of the Officers and Committee)