Dedicated to John Gillespie
1935-2012
John Clark Gillespie was born on the 2nd October 1935 in a small Scottish Town called Bellshill on the outskirts of Glasgow. He was the eldest child, having a younger brother and 2 younger sisters. Upon leaving school John became an Engineer and moved to Coventry with work. It was in the 1960’s when John decided to buy a cocker spaniel and went to Lochranza Kennels to look for a dog. Lochranza, which at that time, was under the care of Miss Joan MacMillan and a young lady called Jean Coull. John bought a black bitch called Smiler. Smiler was a pet but John thought he might have a go at showing, so to quote Jean ,” if your going to show you better come and learn how to do it properly.” Romance blossomed between John & Jean and they were married in 1966.
John quit his job as an engineer and went to work at the kennels alongside Jean and Joan. He became an integral part of the team and quickly discovered he had a talent for trimming and handing dogs. Although renowned for Cocker Spaniels, Lochranza flourished in the showing world where John handled and trimmed American Cocker Spaniels. Jean became well established and successful with her Poodles. They also bred other breeds to the title of Champion including Pugs, Labradors,and Shih Tzu’s. They also had Flat Coat Retrievers and English Setters.
John quit his job as an engineer and went to work at the kennels alongside Jean and Joan. He became an integral part of the team and quickly discovered he had a talent for trimming and handing dogs. Although renowned for Cocker Spaniels, Lochranza flourished in the showing world where John handled and trimmed American Cocker Spaniels. Jean became well established and successful with her Poodles. They also bred other breeds to the title of Champion including Pugs, Labradors,and Shih Tzu’s. They also had Flat Coat Retrievers and English Setters.
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In 1972 a new addition arrived to John & Jean, in the form of a 2 legged mammal, a baby boy called Jamie. John adjusted to fatherhood well, juggling showing, kennel work and parenthood. John had many a tale to tell about Jamie’s early years, from visiting the golf club to Jamie dropping his dad’s best watch in the bath. As time went on John supported Jamie in his hobbies and pursuits and regularly took Jamie to the golf course for a quick round. It was quickly noted, however, that Jamie had a talent for Archery. Jamie had also acquired his dads thirst for success having strong determination and dedication to succeed. John joined Lichfield Archery Club with his son and supported him by driving the length and depth of the country taking Jamie to numerous competitions. John also learned the skill of Archery and could wagon a bow and arrow easily himself.
John was incredibly proud of Jamie’s success and never passed a chance to show visitors his sons medals and trophy’s.
John was incredibly proud of Jamie’s success and never passed a chance to show visitors his sons medals and trophy’s.
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Dog showing continued alongside all this and John became a character in the dog showing world, known for his superb trimming, another skill he was happy to share with fellow handlers and breeders. His tales of the dog showing game has had many a person in tears with laughter and after show party’s at Lochranza were certainly made more interesting with Johns story telling. His favourite all time dog was a black male cocker spaniel known to him as Jeremy. This dog was one of the legends in cockers known to others as ShCh Newsreader of Lochranza. John often said that this dog broke his heart when Jean & Joan sold him to a kennel in Australia. John was seen to grace the ring weekly and campaigned cockers to Best in Show, Group Placings and many a Best of Breed. The highlight for him was winning on more than one occasion, the gundog group at Crufts.
During the 1990’s Miss MacMillan became unwell with Alzheimer Disease and the showing took a back seat whilst John & Jean became her primary carers. The old boarding kennels were sold and they moved to a small cottage near Rugeley. They continued breeding and John was still very much active behind the scenes and continued judging Cockers and American Cockers both in the UK and abroad. The name Lochranza and John Gillespie was known throughout the world. He was certainly well known and was, by now, a legend in his own right.
During the 1990’s Miss MacMillan became unwell with Alzheimer Disease and the showing took a back seat whilst John & Jean became her primary carers. The old boarding kennels were sold and they moved to a small cottage near Rugeley. They continued breeding and John was still very much active behind the scenes and continued judging Cockers and American Cockers both in the UK and abroad. The name Lochranza and John Gillespie was known throughout the world. He was certainly well known and was, by now, a legend in his own right.
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The millennium saw John return to the showing world with a young black bitch called Abigail, aka Lochranza None Sweeter (Sh Ch Asquanne’s Gillespie x Lochranza Calendula). Lochranza Calendula’s pet name was Annie Webster, this, itself was one of John’s regular jokes, naming their red bitch after Mrs Annie Webster of the well known Asquanne Cockers. Mrs Webster promptly got her own back on John by naming her black boy after him. ShCh Asquanne’s Gillespie aka Mister is following in Johns footsteps by too becoming a legend.
Many of todays exhibitors know John for showing a beautiful red boy who was born in 2004. The son of Abigail by ShCh Asquanne’s Goldfinger, this boy was named Lochranza For Your Eyes Only, pet name Piers. John was back on form even at the tender age of 69, and Piers gained his title of Show Champion at 14 months old. John was seen weekly with this young dog and 19 CC’s and 21 RCC’s later he decided that maybe he should slow down with the showing game. John’s age was slowly getting the better of him by now and his head still wanted to show but his body was saying no. He often wanted to attend shows but on the day he found it easier to relax at home with his house dogs and his wife, Jean. The pair had become grandparents to a young girl called Caitlyn and were spending their weekends occupied with a 2 legged person instead of many 4 legged creatures. John enjoyed his time with Caitlyn and was thrilled when she showed an interest in his beloved cockers.
Many of todays exhibitors know John for showing a beautiful red boy who was born in 2004. The son of Abigail by ShCh Asquanne’s Goldfinger, this boy was named Lochranza For Your Eyes Only, pet name Piers. John was back on form even at the tender age of 69, and Piers gained his title of Show Champion at 14 months old. John was seen weekly with this young dog and 19 CC’s and 21 RCC’s later he decided that maybe he should slow down with the showing game. John’s age was slowly getting the better of him by now and his head still wanted to show but his body was saying no. He often wanted to attend shows but on the day he found it easier to relax at home with his house dogs and his wife, Jean. The pair had become grandparents to a young girl called Caitlyn and were spending their weekends occupied with a 2 legged person instead of many 4 legged creatures. John enjoyed his time with Caitlyn and was thrilled when she showed an interest in his beloved cockers.
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Another side to John besides the showing was his dedication to his local pub, The Chetwynd Arms at Upper Longden. John was a regular here and very much a larger than life character. Those who had the privilege of visiting this pub with John would see how much he was respected here and how much fun he shared with other regulars.
Over the years John has taught countless people how to trim and handle their dogs. He has shared his knowledge throughout the world. We have smiled and laughed with him at his tales and stories of his life experiences. Some have even cried when occasionally he would show his disapproval or frustration at us not doing as we had been taught, but without this we wouldn’t be the people we are today. I am sure we will continue his story telling, but many of these stories will involve the fun we had with him.
John will be missed by many but the least we can do is take on board the knowledge and passion he shared and raise our glasses every now and then to him, filled with nothing else, but the best Lochranza whisky.
God bless you John we loved you.
Over the years John has taught countless people how to trim and handle their dogs. He has shared his knowledge throughout the world. We have smiled and laughed with him at his tales and stories of his life experiences. Some have even cried when occasionally he would show his disapproval or frustration at us not doing as we had been taught, but without this we wouldn’t be the people we are today. I am sure we will continue his story telling, but many of these stories will involve the fun we had with him.
John will be missed by many but the least we can do is take on board the knowledge and passion he shared and raise our glasses every now and then to him, filled with nothing else, but the best Lochranza whisky.
God bless you John we loved you.
