Rosemary Ayris

It was with great sadness that the Officers and Committee Members of the Papillon (Butterfly Dog) Club heard of Rosemary Ayris’s passing on the 15th September 2014, after a long illness. Rosemary was a Vice President of the club and had served on the committee for a number of years. Her passing is a great loss to the world of Papillons and we offer our deepest sympathies to David and Julie and her family. Rest in peace, no more pain.

The following tribute was written by Irene Robb.

It is with saddened heart that I write about the passing of Rosemary Ayris of Ibstock Papillons. We last saw Rosemary at Blackpool Championship Show and Glenn and I met her as we were entering the show. We asked if we could help her and typical Rosemary never wanting to cause a fuss calmly said “I will be fine, I’ll get there under my own steam, thank you.” That day she was as bright as a button and really enjoyed the day. The show before had been the Papillon (Butterfly) Dog Clubs Fun Weekend of which Rosemary and David had been present for the open Show. What a very proud day for Rosemary as her lovely Ibstock Custom Made took BIS that day handled by her close friend Helen Wheeler.

Rosemary spent her childhood on the farm. Her grandfather bought an isolation hospital in 1929 and complete with motorcycle and sidecar set off for a journey of one hundred and five miles to the Jersey Cattle Society Sale in Reading. That day they bought a heifer to start the herd. They then went on to sell three heifers for 600 guineas at a later date. No decimal coinage then.

Ibstock was the founder name for the herds Jersey cattle, which in years to come would be successfully shown by her grandfather with a little help from his granddaughter Rosemary who started to help show the cattle from the age of six years.

As the years went by Rosemary and her husband David with baby Neil who was then three months went along to the Abbey Park Show in Leicester. Rosemary had always had various dogs during her childhood. Rosemary and David’s daughter Julia who was then nine years persuaded Mum and Dad that a dog or horse would make the family complete.

I am sure Julia promising to feed, water and walk for ever! Children learn the art of persuasion from an early age; Rosemary told me she still remember cleaning out rabbits and ducks that were more like geese, thinking how had she got herself into this!

Luckily for the Papillon world a dog was the first choice and a little bitch with Melchester breeding called Cleo became the new family member. Rosemary always said this was an interesting point for folks to remember, we all start with one dog.

So in 1980 the family sat round a table debating an affix name. Rosemary had always lived in Ibstock so by now she must have known every blade of grass the much loved and obvious choice was to go back to grass roots. Hence the Ibstock Papillon Kennel was born. Cleo was mated and two pups entered the world. One being, Ibstock Black Knight who became the kennels first show dog.

The Ibstock Kennels first champion came in 1986 with a Pearl and Frank Peacock bred boy called CH Alcala Ziadoon (Zak). The sire being by Jenny Scovel’s CH Caswell Gay Contender and the dam Alcala Mahogany.

One of Rosemary’s most treasured memories was when Zak took BOB at Crufts in 1986 going on to take a placing in the final six in the Toy Group. What an exciting day that must have been. He then went on to take 5cc’s with 4 BOB.

Rosemary’s second champion Ch Caswell Court Jester came to her at two years of age. At the 1988 Lincolnshire Toy Dog Show he took RBIS followed by BIS at breed open shows. Northern and Eastern and The Papillon (Butterfly) Dog Club. During 1989 CH Caswell Court Jester had taken his title.

A home bred champion in partnership with Jenny Scovell was next with Ch Ibstock Mark of Distinction (Ch Caswell Classic Touch x Alcala Tiller Girl of Ibstock) taking 10cc’s and siring four champions in the UK. Jenny Scovell then also showed CH Ibstock Heir of Distinction a son of Mark of Distinction to his title.

The Ibstock Kennel being runners up in both competitions of Top Breeder and Top Stud were highlights of 2001. In 2002 we all saw Ch Ibstock Marksman (Ch Ibstock Mark of Distinction x Tussalud Miss Terrie Belle) take his title and storm away during his career taking 10cc’s, 5 with BOB and then going on to BIS wins at the South Wales Papillon Club Pearl Anniversary CH show and Northern & Eastern Counties Papillon Club. Once again he went on to sire champions including two with their American crowns.

In 2003 came the acclaim of Top Brood Bitch with Tussalud Miss Terrie Belle who was a treasured gift to Rosemary from Kay Stewart of the Tussalud Kennel. Other notable champions include CH/IRCH Ibstock Bright Spark for Spinillons and CH Ibstock Tallulah for Spinillons both shown by Jo Davidson-Poston.

We must all remember well Rosemary’s hidden talent. I am sure many will have seen the beautifully painted Papillon bags over exhibitor shoulders at shows. This is a hobby she loved to take time with and I am sure everyone will agree her paintings were so true to the breed she loved.

The first Challenge Certificate appointment came in 1994 in Belfast. Since then the world had been her oyster with invitations to Canada, Norway and Denmark and of course here in the UK.

Rosemary’s journey in Papillons has been star studded throughout the years making the Ibstock Kennel one of our most respected Papillon kennels globally. Rosemary’s passing is a huge loss to the Papillon world but the name Ibstock has left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. Each and every one of us will have a memory of Rosemary that will make us smile and that is how she would have wanted it. Our treasured memory of this lovely lady is of her judging her beloved Papillons at Crufts 2010 we are so proud to have taken the BCC that day and Rosemary carried out her judging duties that day with calmness and kindness to every single exhibitor present.

Heartfelt condolences go to David her beloved husband, immediate family and close friends. Rosemary your memories will stay with us for as long as there are butterflies in the garden.

Irene Robb of Gleniren Sunshoo Papillons (Dog World Breed Note Writer)