Ryedale Sheepdog Society send their deepest sympathy to Mary Heaton, and all their family.

Allan, who died this morning, was a founder member, in 1968, of the society; the first chairman, in fact. He has been a successful judge, competitor, teacher and all round suporter of the working border collie. In acknowledgement of his and Mary's contribution to the trialling world, they received jointly the Wilkinson's Silver Sword in 2009. He always enjoyed the Plum Tree trial, though I understand it often fell on daughter Janet's birthday, so he might run his dogs and whizz away again! A gentleman who will be terribly missed.