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Note: It is only fair to point out,
however, that there are several inaccuracies in the below
obituary from the Ramsbottom Observer dated October 10, 1919.
According to Sylvia Barcroft, the information was given by a
friend, Samuel Lund. Perhaps he was confused abut some of the
information.
George Barcroft did not live at New Hall Farm in
Edenfield for 30 years. He moved there from Scout Moor later on in
his life. According to the Longshaw trialing records, he was
listed as living in Edenfield around the year 1910.
Sylvia could never understand how George managed to
move his furniture from Scout Moor to New
Hall. It would have been difficult.
Also, White Bob was two
or three years of age (not
twelve years of age) in 1889
when he trialed in front of Queen Victoria at a Bala, Wales
trial; it is true that George handled White Bob before the
Kaiser of Germany in 1897, when White Bob would have been about
eleven years of age. That would have been eight years after White
Bob appeared before Queen Victoria, not two years before.
Sylvia noticed that the dates below for
Preston Guild and Northern Counties may not be accurate.
See the "Trialing" page.
Death
of a Ramsbottom Councillor
The
Late Mr. G. Barcroft
A
Well-Known Exhibitor
We regret to announce the death, which took place about 11:30
on Sunday night, of Councillor George Barcroft, of New Hall
Farm, Edenfield. The deceased gentleman had been in failing
health for about two years, suffering from an internal
complaint. Born 64 years ago, at Scout Moor Bottom Farm, he had
resided in the vicinity all his life, and for the past thirty
years he had occupied Newhall Farm.
A Conservative in politics, Mr. Barcroft had represented
North Ward on the Ramsbottom District Council since 1912, when
he defeated the late Mr. Thomas Elton, the retiring member, by
25 votes, the figures being: Barcroft 286; Elton 261. The flag
has flown half-mast on the Edenfield Conservative Club. The late
Mr. Barcroft was a bachelor.
SUCCESSFUL SHEEP BREEDER
It is perhaps as a sheep-dog owner
and exhibitor of sheep that Mr. Barcroft was best known, not
only in this district, but all over the country.
As a breeder and exhibitor of lonk-sheep
he had been most successful and had won many valuable prizes.
The last occasion he exhibited was at Whitworth Agricultural
show, just over a month ago when he entered four sheep and took
three firsts and a second prize. He had figured as judge of lonk-sheep
at many of the principal shows, and several years ago he was
honoured by being appointed as one of the judges at the Royal
Agricultural Society's show at Derby.
Since 1882 he had been at the
forefront at sheep-dog trials, and he claimed to have won about
₤2,500 in money prizes and trophies with his dogs. At the time
of his demise we are given to understand that he was the senior
active member on the list of those taking part in sheep-dog
trials at the present day, and that he has won more prizes than
any other man with working sheep-dogs.
It was at Preston Guild, in 1882,
that he first entered the arena with a dog named "Old Nip." Two
years later , on September 5th; 1884, he won the Northern
Counties' (Westmorland, Cumberland, Lancashire and Yorkshire)
championship with "Trim," and second in another class with "Old
Nip," the mother of the former.
The late Mr. Barcroft had given
exhibitions all over Great Britain, and in 1898 he won a gold
medal at the Frankfort (Germany) Collie Club show for working
sheep-dogs with his famous champion, "White Bob." Our
representative was informed that the German Emperor was present
on that occasion.
Two years prior to his visiting
Germany, Mr. Barcroft won a first with the same dog at Bala
(Wales). Queen Victoria witnessed the trials on that occasion.
The dog at this period was about twelve years of age. Mr.
Barcroft refused an offer of 75 guineas for the dog.
In 1900 Mr. Barcroft appeared at the
Alexandra Palace, London, and won the premier award with a dog
named "Rap," which he purchased from Mr. Samuel Lund, late of
Keighley, to whom the "Observer" is indebted for this
information regarding Mr. Barcroft's successes. It was announced
that the Late King Edward was to have witnessed the performance
on the latter occasion, but illness prevented his being present.
After its success at Alexandra Palace, "Rap," won six firsts in
succession at other shows, all the prizes being over ₤12 in
value.
About twelve years ago Mr. Barcroft
sold a dog for 80 guineas which is stated to be the highest
price ever paid for a working sheepdog. The buyer of "Don" was a
gentleman residing in Perthshire, Scotland."
A separate article was printed about
George's interment at Shuttleworth. Among the many people in
attendance was a Mrs. G. Barcroft, the wife of George's cousin,
also named George Barcroft (son of James Barcroft). A
representative of the Lonk Sheep Society was also noted as being
in attendance. The gravesite with a large headstone mark where
Jonathan Barcroft and his wife and eight of his nine
children were buried. Elizabeth was not buried there so she was
interred in her husband's family gravesite.
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