HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The GBBA - ‘Aim to give help and advice to new and less experienced Griffon owners and breeders to progress’.

On Saturday 17th April 1982 an inaugural meeting was held by a group of Griffon breeders to form an Association where the full members are all breeders who have qualified for membership by registering their litters with the Kennel Club. Associate membership, without voting rights, would be open to anyone interested in the breed with a view to guiding and encouraging them if they want to go on to be full members.

Invitation to attend the meeting was from Ann Fenn, Pat Crick, Deborah Gaines and Michael Payne, others who were very much involved at the beginning were Marjorie Clark and Peggy (Mrs M E) Searl, who was a fount of knowledge on KC regulations. Thus the Association was formed by a dedicated group of breeders especially to offer help and advice to Griffon lovers with less than their own experience.

Founder members were:
Mrs P Bird, Mrs C Churchill, Mrs M Clarke, Mrs P Crick, Mrs P Cumin, Mrs H Enders, Mrs L Evans, Mrs A Fenn, Mrs D Gaines, Miss T Gaines, Mr H Greenhalgh, Mr R Henney, Mrs C Howard, Mr J Howard, Mrs D Kirk, Miss R Lancaster, Mrs E Lunn, Miss M Marshall, Mrs N Marshall, Mr E Page, Mr H M Payne, Mrs P Payne, Mrs E Pearce, Mr Pinder, Mrs Pinder, Mrs E Poolman, Mrs D Raynham, Mr E Searl, Mrs M Searl, Mrs W Spencer, Miss E Thomas, Mrs F Tuckwell, Mr V Tuckwell.

It was proposed to invite Mrs D Gaines to be President and Mrs E Street to be Patron.
Mr Payne was invited to be the Acting Chairman and Mrs Searl Acting Secretary/Treasurer.
Later that year the first Progress magazine was printed, the first editor was Cynthia Howard who worked very hard and produced it entirely by herself, typing, copying and collating. She set the standard which the GBBA have tried to maintain.

Sadly in 1983 the founding President Mrs Deborah Gaines died suddenly, she had been largely responsible for the formation of the GBBA and we think that she will be pleased to know that the Association has gone from strength to strength over the years and now celebrates 43 years in existence.

Finally a quote, printed in the first issue of Progress, from Ann Fenn breeder of the world famous Starbeck Griffons:
“Those of who love and admire the Griffon and especially those who breed, must dedicate our involvement in truly advancing the best interests of the breed. The Griffon Bruxellois Breeders Association was born with this in mind.”