The first show was held in 1979, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Club's foundation.  An appeal to the membership for contributions provided the necessary financial backing, and the show was so successful that it was made an annual event.

The show was held at the Guild Hall, Gloucester on 16 June and attracted 73 Abyssinians in competition, which must have represented a huge percentage of the breeding stock in the country at the time! The photo shows the show in full swing - click to enlarge.

There were a total of 14 Abyssinian cats and kittens on exhibition, including the famous " rainbow" litter bred by Mrs J Murphy, consisting of one of each usual, sorrel, blue and fawn kittens. A further 15 pedigree cats of other breeds were also on exhibition.

Chezchats litter © Solitaire

Mrs Shirley Bullock was the show manager, and the judges were Mme. J Gethman (Belgium), Miss A Rickson and Mrs E Towe.  The photo shows Mme. Gethman with a blue Abyssinian - click to enlarge.

Best In Show Winners
Best Male Adult - Miss Hakin's Ch Philos Roca (23a) Bred by Miss H M Scatchard
Best Female Adult - Mrs Stock's Shelemay Adua (23a) Bred by Mrs B Castle
Best Male Kitten - Mrs Lovey's Shybu Quanito (23) Bred by Mrs S Bullock
Best Female Kitten - Mrs A Locher's Bikila Lucina (23) Bred by Exhibitor
Best Neuter - Mr Adam's Nailuang Nederland Bruno (23) bred by Mrs D Green

Philos Roca sired both of the winning kittens, and subsequently went on to become the first British Abyssinian to be awarded the GCCF title of Grand Champion.