DECEMBER 1979
Photo by kind permission of Brian Hillier and David Evans
Mrs Riley of Bletchingley fame, I hope will not easily be forgotten
Peggy who died in December 1979, I hope will be remembered not only for all she
did for our Breed Clubs but for her great love of our breed and for her years of
hard work and much sacrifice to herself to improve and protect our lovely
Afghans.
My First Afghan my husband brought from Peggy well over 20 years ago, since when
we remained good friends with Peggy and Bill, to her dear husband. To Bill, we who
remember Peggy with love and respect, we send our deepest sympathy and
understanding. (Since this was written Bill himself has sadly passed away too)
Ruth Hughes (Kalbikhan) (SAC Magazine 1980)
Everyone knows of the Bletchingley achievements from a glance at the file of the
Pedigrees OF Champions, of the famous exports on which many of overseas kennels
founded their stock and the many judging engagements at all levels fulfilled by
one of the first husband and wife teams in the breed. Bill and Peggy Riley. What
is of equal importance is the two people involved in the foundation of this
famous kennel.
When I talked with one of her former kennel staff, Pam Kingsnorth, now an Afghan
owner, exhibitor and breeder in her own right, I was given an account of ‘life
with the Riley’s’ which was much more meaningful than the fame and titles only.
Pam Kingsnorth remembers how much work there was in the kennel since the Riley’s
were sticklers for perfection – the kennel staff worked hard but so did Peggy
alongside them.
She recalls how Mrs Riley loved her dogs, they were her children and ranked
second only to her devotion to her husband.
The kennel started with Cocker Spaniels and also included, besides the Afghans,
Pugs, Pekes and Whippets as well as some Poodles.
Many of the Afghans were used for publicity work and Filming, particularly
Hillsman with his gorgeous temperament and they appeared with stars like Anita
Ekberg and Victor Mature, while some of the favourite pictures that Peggy would
produce showed some glamorous Bletchingleys, coats and ears flying, dashing
along the beach with the equally glamorous Kay Kendall.
The atmosphere at Bletchingley kennels was homely for the kennel staff, of whom
she always had at least two, and whom she mothered, so that many of them became
devoted friends. Among those who learnt from her who were to become well-known
in their own line in the breed were Pauline Leyder, Ann Patterson, Hazel Cranham
and Pam Kingsnorth, as well as Bo Bengtson, internationally famous in
Sighthounds.
Another aspect of Peggy’s innate kindliness to hounds could be seen in her
judging through her quiet, gentle and thoughtful handling of the dogs.
She was for many years involved as a Committee Member and then Chairman of the
SAC and always took a great interest in our club.
The Afghan world must acknowledge with gratitude the contribution made to the
breed by Bill and Peggy Riley.
Daphne Gie (SAC Magazine 1980)
Permission from the Southern Afghan Club was kindly given to reproduce Peggy's
tribute. These are copyright of the SAC
Peggy was my guardian and my friend, she was what the true meaning of a breeder was and strove and succeeded in having the best in her kennels. She was a lady with principle's both in the dog world and her private life and it gave me a lot of pleasure to hear Sheila Gilleney at Afghan 2000 say what a great honour she considered it to be when Peggy chose her Jalalabad Barwala Of Carloway to put to the very famous CH Bletchingley Zara. That was a most fitting tribute to a great lady in our breed. She was an honest no nonsense kind of person who, along with her husband Bill commanded a great deal of respect worldwide, as did her beautiful creamy gold Bletchingley Afghan Hounds. Peggy was, and always will be, my ideal of what a breeder should be and her Bletchingley hounds were 'simply the best'.
Thank you for everything Peggy, most especially for allowing me to have so many treasured memories from my time at Bletchingley and for my very own first Afghan Hound, Bletchingley Zillah
My Bletchingley Days Hazel Cranham 2006
Tribute to Bletchingley from Numa Afghans Here
Updated 06-01-08
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