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Editor’s note: This section was compiled by Sylvia Barcroft, who contacted us to see if it could be published as a book or an article. After some thought, we concluded that it would make a significant contribution to this study of the early trials. Whereas other sections of this project look at the trials themselves, Sylvia’s research reveals the extent to which, within a few years of their inception, sheepdog trials had created their own stars, who travelled considerable distances to compete at trials. Even allowing for some of the competitors entering three or four dogs, some trials had over seventy entries, indicating a good number of competitors.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To Barbara Carpenter for various trials results of Jonathan and George.
To John Simpson for including a passage on George in his “A History of Edenfield and District”, which sent me into research mode. Also for all his trials results from the Ramsbottom Observer and for his help in general.
To the Royal Archives for sending the extract from Queen Victoria’s Journal on her attendance at the sheepdog trial at Bala and her description of what she witnessed; also for kind permission from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to include the quotation from the Journal.

THE BARCROFTS: FIRST SHEEPDOG SUPERSTARS

SYLVIA BARCROFT

Jonathan Barcroft was born on 26th January 1825 at Scout Moor Bottom Farm, Shuttleworth, Lancashire, where he farmed all his life. On the 1871 census it tells us that he was shepherd of his own listed sheep. From a collie book we learn that a very conspicuous name appeared as an early winner at trials in the form of J Barcroft, who practically “swept the board” in his day.
At the Llangollen trial in August 1890 Jonathan entered four dogs. Nip is described as a black and white bitch of four years who found her sheep straight away and brought them through the opening in three minutes. The gap in the artificial fence was negotiated in seven minutes and by some capital work on the part of the shepherd and his dog the sheep were penned well within the allotted time.
The second dog of Jonathan’s to run was the white and black dog, White Bob, of three years, who went straight to his sheep and had them through the opening in two and a half minutes. The dog was well under the control of the shepherd and, after some nice work, the sheep were safely penned in nine and a half minutes.
The third dog to run was the black and grey dog, Trim, of nine years, who found his sheep in two minutes and had them safely through the opening in another half minute but was having to tackle some rather wild sheep. However, he succeeded in getting them through the artificial opening in about eight minutes and, after some careful and patient work, got them in the pen in eleven minutes and a half.
Jonathan’s fourth dog was the grey bitch, Sall, of three years, who found her sheep at once and got them through the first opening in three minutes, two minutes later sending them through the artificial fence and in another minute penning them. They were sent into the pen in exactly six minutes.
At that trial, Sall was third, White Bob was fourth and Nip was reserve.
The Wharfedale Sheep Dog Trial, at Otley in September 1893, was held in conjunction with a Foal Show and was witnessed by a large number of spectators. A great mistake was made in having a flock of sheep in the vicinity of those that had to be worked, which gave the dogs a lot of unnecessary trouble, many failing to detach their charges from the flock in the fold.
Jonathan’s Lady went up well, the sheep turning to the pen. She made a dash and slipped them away but, working well to command, she gave them no more liberty and, bringing them down, did the first obstacle, missing the second, and driving the sheep round the course, finished her task in seven minutes and was the winner.
Bob was also at this trial and went off well but, coming onto the sheep, they made for the pen where he wasted a lot of time trying to get them away. By the time he had accomplished that procedure his time was nearly up but he showed nice work in bringing down.
The first Wirral Sheep Dog Trial was held on 6th June 1892. Jonathan’s entries were Trim, now aged ten years, Lady, a black and white bitch of five years and White Bob.
Trim got to his sheep in one and a half minutes but was a bit rough at the beginning and separated his sheep but ultimately collected them. He was in the act of penning when time was called.
Bob worked quietly and by the whistle only and showed wonderful aptitude and marked intelligence. He went straight to his sheep, stopping at call and found his sheep, which he left momentarily, thus “blotting his copybook” a bit, but he never left them afterwards. Bringing them quickly through every obstacle he penned in two minutes within the prescribed time. Much amusement was created by his craftiness in creeping to his sheep and, of his own accord, forcing them into the pen by inches.
Lady seemed well under control but, as she was worked by whistle only, she seemed unable to hear it and never found her sheep.
Bob was in second place and Trim was equal fourth.
The Preston Sheepdog Club held a trial in October 1893. The description of the course is that the sheep were slipped about sixty yards beyond a gate and bicycle track and were to be fetched through a gate and along a track of twenty yards and through an opening in the rails, then the same distance to the right, through two flags, then away fifty yards to the left, through two more flags and away down to the bottom of the course. They thence went through football goal posts and afterwards through a pair of hurdles and then to the pen. The time allowed was eight minutes. There were seventeen entries.
Jonathan’s Bob made a fine run up and cast, getting his sheep through gates and flags in grand style and showing capital command. He was frequently cheered by spectators and managed to pen in nine minutes, one minute over time.
Slip ran out well but, after getting through the gate, failed.
Lady worked a bit wildly, at times overrunning Jonathan’s command, and, although she put her sheep through all obstacles and penned on the stroke of time, she could not quite come up to the score of Bob, her kennel companion, who lost his marks at the pen but was able to beat her in general style.
First prize and Special was won by Bob, with second and Special going to Lady, who also took the Special prize for the best looking dog competing at the trial.
The Crickhowell Agricultural Show Society in August 1893 held a trial in an adjoining field. Three sheep were to be brought off the hillside then down through a gap in a fence into a field below, between two flags, two sets of hurdles, and finally to pen them in the space of twelve minutes.
The prizes offered were 1st £8; 2nd £4; 3rd £3 with a special prize of £2 given to the best local handler. Bob was awarded equal second place after faithfully going through his work, obeying every command.
He went straight to his sheep and had them through the first flags in three minutes, through all the remainder and he had the sheep safely penned in seven minutes and fifty eight seconds, without a single slip, amidst the applause of the spectators.
At the first Longshaw Trial, held in March 1898, Jonathan entered Bob, Bell, Lassie and Fan.
Bob was the very first dog to run and he was to find his sheep about three quarters of a mile from the shepherd and then take them on a circuitous route to his master. First the sheep were to be driven round a flag post at the far end of the course and then down to another post, round it and finally home after being brought to the shepherd and taken through a couple of pens in the form of a Maltese Cross. The shepherd was tied to a stake with a rope which allowed him only twenty yards movement and within this radius he could move, beckoning, shouting and whistling. When the sheep had been brought round the flag posts (which were half a mile apart) to the shepherd, he was freed and could assist the dog in penning the sheep though he was not allowed to touch them.
Bob was not long in sighting his sheep and then rounded the post, not allowing them to keep more than a couple of yards wide of it. To take them to the next flag proved a difficult problem. The wind was all against his hearing his master’s whistle, nevertheless he did his work well and brought his charges past the second post in good style, then, taking them quickly to his master’s side, and into the pen, he accomplished his task within the allotted time of fifteen minutes.
Lassie took the third prize of £2, finishing the course in nine and a half minutes. Bell completed just on the fifteen minutes whereas Fan went over time.
Although Bob is mentioned as being part Old English Sheepdog, from photographs he looks to be more the bearded type of collie. Though only a small dog he had won more prizes than any other dog at work, whilst Jonathan is described as the best trainer and whistler in the United Kingdom.
A contemporary of Jonathan was R S Piggin of Long Eaton, and his show champion Rough Collie, Ormskirk Charlie, often competed against Bob. Either one could beat the other.
From a Ludgate Magazine of 1899 we are told that in the open classes there are generally five prizes, the first being about £10 and going down to £1. The trials were usually held on a hillside or large field, extending in one direction about three quarters of a mile and about half a mile in breadth. The dogs drove the sheep about 1,200 yards. The sheep were the wildest that could be obtained, usually the small Welsh breed or the black or grey faced Scottish sheep. Each dog had to drive three different sheep, two being from one flock and the third from another. The same three were never worked twice. This made the task all the more difficult, the sheep not knowing each other, and when one broke away it required considerable skill to get it back with the other two again.
The magazine describes a trial in which Jonathan and White Bob are participating.
“The sturdy Lancashire farmer, who spends most of his time with his sheep on Scout Moor, takes his place at the post, removes his coat and awaits the signal; up goes the white flag, and immediately three sheep are liberated a quarter of a mile away. Bob pricks his ears and awaits his orders ‘Get away, boy.’ Off he rushes and soon finds his sheep, who look wildly round giving one the impression they would rush off in different directions. Bob steadies down and looks around for orders; a slow prolonged whistle, and on he goes; the wether sheep stamps his foot and the ewes press closer to him. As the dog comes up they try to separate but Bob is too quick and is at their side in an instant; getting them together again, he looks round to see his master waving his arms. Off he goes again, driving his little flock through the first hurdles. Here he has to drive them through a gap over a wide dry ditch or watercourse. A sharp whistle and Bob keeps at his task until they are through, when, unexpectedly, one bolts right into the ditch, from whence it refuses to budge. A hand up and a whistle and Bob drops like a stone. The other two sheep suddenly stop, look round and quietly start grazing. A prolonged whistle and Bob quietly crawls on his belly until he gets on the brink of the ditch facing the sheep, who, alarmed by his sudden appearance, jumps up and joins its companions. A loud cheer from the spectators shows their appreciation of this excellent piece of work. Again the sheep are got together and brought through the second hurdles. Bob now hurries them on, but, as he comes to the next obstacle, off rushes one of the sheep outside the hurdle. That whistle again and Bob drops as though shot, two shrill whistles and he is up again, making a wide circuit to head the stray one and soon brings him back through the hurdles, where he sees the other two. On they come by signal and whistle, the remainder of the course is successfully accomplished, and the turn is made for the final pen. A cheery ‘Fetch ‘em up’ causes him to hurry, and as soon as they pass the shepherd he moves from his post and is now at liberty to help the dog. Jonathan knows his work, picks up his coat and stick and places them on one side if the triangular pen and stands at the other side. Bob has to bring the sheep between the two, a seemingly easy task. The sheep still have a wild look ;and, despite Jonathan, rush wildly past him. Bob, at a signal, lies crouched upon the grass, giving the trio a moment to settle down, when, up again, he is soon behind them, bringing them up to the entrance of the pen. One enters, when a cheer from the spectators startle them and off the remaining two go again, running round the pen, eventually the one inside dashing out and joining them. Gradually Bob collects them and brings his charges up again, when they do another circus performance around the hurdles. Bob at last gets them together opposite the entrance and drops on his belly, three or four yards away. ‘Shoo shoo’ says Jonathan, and Bob crawls like a cat foot by foot towards them. Gently they move step by step until one enters the pen. Three feet more and Bob jostles the other two into the pen and is on his feet in a moment to prevent their exit. Jonathan waves his hat and a prolonged cheer from the crowd testifies their appreciation of the clever work. So concludes the trial, the clever Lancashire dog has won in nine and a half minutes and is awarded first prize.”
At Ruthin, North Wales, in August 1899 Jonathan secured the second and third prizes and divided the fourth with another competitor. In the “special for working dogs” he obtained second prize.
In August 1900, a sheepdog trial was held in conjunction with the Baildon (Yorks) and District Horticultural and Fanciers’ Show. The second prize for working (open) sheepdog was awarded to Jonathan.
In November that same year Jonathan was at a trial at Bontuchel, near Ruthin, where there were seventy nine entries and amongst the competitors were some of the best known sheepdogs in the country. Jonathan was the most successful competitor that day, carrying off the first, second and third prizes in the first class stakes.
Jonathan died on May 30th 1901, and is buried in St John in the Wilderness churchyard at Shuttleworth.
Barcrofts were employed for generations as shepherds on Scout Moor by Lord Derby.
George Barcroft was the sixth of nine children born to Jonathan and Sarah. He was born on 26th January 1855 which was his father’s thirtieth birthday, at Scout Moor Bottom Farm, Shuttleworth.
When George was seven years of age, three of his siblings, Jonathan aged three, Sarah aged five and James aged eight, died within ten days of each other of Scarlet Fever.
Jeremy died five years later, aged twenty, Phoebe, who was married and had a little girl, died four years after that, aged twenty four. Two years later Ann died aged twenty three and Martha died another two years later, aged twenty six. All died from consumption.
It was in 1882 that George entered his first trial, which was at Preston, with Old Nip. Two years later he won the Northern Counties (Westmoreland, Cumberland, Lancashire and Yorkshire) Championship with Trim and was second in another class with Old Nip, the dam of Trim.
On 24th August 1889 George and White Bob were competing at Bala in North Wales, where Queen Victoria was a spectator. By gracious permission of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II I am able to include the passage from Queen Victoria’s Journal of her account of what she witnessed.
“I saw a trial of sheep dogs or rather driving of the sheep, in which the Welsh take great interest. We saw several trials, but only one succeeded. The dogs were six in number and prize ones. They had in turn to endeavour to drive three sheep together round three flag posts, put at a distance, into a very small pen with a narrow opening. When the sheep neared the pen the shepherd came down and assisted his dog, but is never allowed to touch the sheep. Each dog had different sheep, who were all four years old and strange both to the dogs and the ground, having been brought down from the hills for the purpose. Bob, a white Lancashire dog, worked beautifully. The intelligence of the dogs and their obedience in following the signs and whistles of their masters, who direct them from a distance, is quite marvellous.”
White Bob won the trial that day. He was Jonathan’s and George’s top winning dog, gaining £70 in prize money in just one season of trialling. George refused 75 guineas for Bob when the dog was twelve years old.
The “Ramsbottom Observer” of 4th June 1897 reported that “Mr George Barcroft, well known in the Ramsbottom and Rossendale districts, has been in Germany during the week and has competed successfully with other dogs in sheepdog trials.” They then quote from the “Daily News” who reported on it.
“German Collie Club Trials – success of English dogs. For the first time in the history of the club, sheepdog trials have been held at the annual show of the German Collie Club, which terminated at Frankfurt on Main on Sunday. C H Wheeler, of Birmingham judged and, although the English dogs were severely handicapped by the foreign conditions of working, and the nature of the trial ground, they did remarkably well, and quite astounded the select attendance which included all the leading Collie breeders in Germany. The first prize and gold medal of the promoting society was won by Mr G Barcroft’s ‘White Bob’ beating Mr R S Piggin’s ‘Ormskirk Charlie’ from Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire. The splendid working of the English dogs created a most favourable impression.” The Kaiser is said to have been present that day.
The Vale of Llangollen trial in August 1897 was “open to the world” and found a record entry of 31 dogs, including the best dogs in the UK competing. On offer with the first prize was a silver challenge cup given by the late Lord Trevor. As Brown Bob came out an easy winner, penning his sheep in less than six minutes, George took the cup for a third time, which became his property as he had won it in 1891 and 1894. By this time George was already the owner of similar trophies.
At a trial near Cardiff George won a special champion prize consisting of a silver cup and silver matchbox. Also in 1897 George had first prize with Lassie and a third with Brown Bob at Ravenstonedale in Cumberland.
The following week at Otley, Lassie gained first prize again and White Bob was third.
Lassie continued her winning ways in 1898 when she won at Llangollen. Sall gained third prize. In the doubles Bob and Lassie took second prize.
The following day at Ruthin, Lassie won and Don took fourth prize then Bob and Lassie won the doubles.
A week later was the “open to the world” trial held at Tring in Hertfordshire, where Lassie won first prize and Sall third prize.
At Dovedale in Derbyshire George won first prize with Sall and second with Lassie, whereas Lassie then came first in Glamorganshire.
At Llan Festiniog George took first prize and silver medal in the novice competition with Bell and in the open contest won (with silver medal) second and third prizes with Bell, Brown Bob and Lassie.
The second Longshaw Trial was held on 29th September 1898, the first trial having been held only six months earlier. From then on it kept to the month of September each year. George was present at this one where, in the Open class, he was third with Lassie, seventh with Fan and eighth with Sall. He also entered two two year old bitches, Bess and Tipsy, but they failed to bring the sheep to the first obstacle.
One noticeable observation is the fact that father and son never seem to have competed against each other.
At the 1899 Longshaw Trial, in an entry of 17, and with a score of 34 points out of a possible 35, George won with Sall in the Open class. In third place was J B Bagshaw with Don which had been owned by George previously.
Unless George was not placed at the 1900 Longshaw Trial, he doesn’t seem to have entered that particular year. Mr J B Bagshaw won the Local class with Don. The prize money on offer for that class was £5, £2, £1 and 5s and sheep shears. The trial did not start until 10.30am due to the spectators not turning up until then!
In the same year (1900) George appeared at the Alexandra Palace, London, and won the premier award with Rap which he had purchased from Mr Samuel Lund, late of Keighley. King Edward was to have witnessed the performance but his illness prevented his presence.
After his success at Alexandra Palace, Rap went on to win six firsts in succession at other trials, all the prizes being over £12 in value.
Before three thousand spectators at the 1901 Longshaw Trial, George won the Open class with Rap, thus gaining £12 for the win.
Ruthin Trial took place in Ruthin Castle Park where George took the fourth prize in the Vale of Clwyd Stakes (Open) plus first and third prizes in the doubles.
George took everything before him at the Wharfedale Agricultural Society’s show held at Otley, winning first with the brown dog, Rap, who showed remarkable intelligence, gaining full points and penning in ten minutes 48 seconds and so winning by about a minute from George’s second placed sable bitch, Bess, which did good work except for losing a little time in penning. Bob worked well and penned in nine minutes 49 seconds but had lost points through missing the first flags. The course was round a series of flags and through two double flags, besides which the dogs had to negotiate hurdles, a Maltese Cross and pen, the length of the course being about 500 yards, and with a time limit of 15 minutes.
Rap won first prize for George at a trial held at Ranelagh in 1902. Mr R S Piggin had organised the event.
At the trial at Tring, third and fourth prizes were gained by George’s dogs. In one week George entered at three trials and had remarkable successes. At Dovedale he took first (and silver cup), second and third prizes; at Cardiff he took first prize and silver cup; and at Bettws Garmon, near Caernarfon, he won the silver challenge cup which he was to keep, having won it twice in succession. Up to the trials at Bettws Garmon one of his dogs had won five first prizes in succession, possibly Rap.
Two thousand spectators paid for admission to the 1902 Longshaw Trial. This was also the first year the trial had featured the doubles class. George was placed third in the Open class.
At the Dovedale Trial of 1903 Rap took second prize.
The North Wales Sheep Dog Society held its trial at Llangollen. The entries for the Cambrian Stakes was open to the world. In the opening round twelve dogs were disqualified so only four competed on the Trynycelyn side; George’s Jack gave a good performance for that team. For the Vivod side George’s Dust and Rap gave exceptionally fine displays. Five competed in the doubles of which George won the premier award.
August 1903 saw the 10th annual meeting of the West Riding Sheep Dog Society, held at Ingleton. In the Open class there were twenty three dogs entered where George and Dust, a sable two year old bitch, gave a very stylish exhibition in winning the trial, the sheep being penned in seven minutes. Dust also secured the silver championship cup for best worker in the trials, that being the second time the honour had fallen to one of George’s trained dogs. After three wins the handler is entitled to keep this cup. The bronze medal for penning in the most workmanlike manner went to the same dog, while another dog, Scot, won the fourth prize.
It is reported that the winner of the 1903 Longshaw Trial was not the best dog on the field. George’s two year old Sep should have won but it seems that the sheep were “stupid”.
The 14th annual gathering of the Lake District Sheep Dog Trials Association took place on the fells above Windermere in August 1904, where George gained fourth prize in the Open Stakes competition.
At the West Riding Sheep Dog Society Trial at Ingleton George won fifth prize in the Open class. Had he done better, he was in line to win outright the silver championship cup, having won it twice in succession previously.
George won fourth prize in the Open class at the trial held at Otley in connection with the Wharfedale Agricultural Society. Three days later George was at the Worsthorne Trial where there was a record entry of thirty six for the Open class. In the doubles competition Scot and Dust were awarded first prize.
The 1904 Longshaw Trial saw George in first place with Dust, second place with Scot and fifth place with Rap in the Open class in which there were fifty one competitors. Dust seems to have been an outstanding dog, according to a newspaper report.
There was a two day trial at Knock Moor, Westmoreland, where George was third with Dust in the Open class and fourth with Rap.
In September 1905, at a trial “open to the world” held in the Cainog Valley near Ruabon, George won the first prize of £5 and the silver challenge cup with Dust who penned in excellent time and was under grand command. In third place and winner of £1 in prize money was Rap.
The Longshaw Trial of 1905 had George in third place with Dust in the Open class. Eighteen dogs competed at the 1906 Worsthorne Trial where Tom was second, penning in nine minutes 13 seconds. Dust was third, finishing in eleven minutes four and a half seconds. There were five pairs entered in the doubles class, just three pairs completed the course including George’s Scot and Dust, in twelve minutes 44 seconds. The time limit was fifteen minutes. Scot won a prize for being a handsome dog.
The North Wales Sheep Dog Trials were held in the Glyn Valley, near Chirk, and 1,500 spectators enjoyed the nine hours duration. The entries numbered forty one.
In the “open to the world” Stakes, nineteen dogs competed and George, with Dust, only obtained 70 points for reserve position due to awkward sheep. Scot and Dust were second in the doubles.
The 1906 Longshaw Trials produced thirty two entries in the Open class where George was placed third with Dust. George had a visit from a W Carter Platts of Kettlewell, who took photos of the shepherd and his dogs in action at the farm and wrote a descriptive article named “Shepherds at Play” which was to appear in the “Strand” magazine at a future date, but unfortunately it has not been traced.
In June 1907 George had a very impressive day at the Hirathog Mountains Trial in Wales where, in the Open Stakes, he won first, second, third and fourth prizes and also the Best Command over a dog and the doubles.
At the trial held near Windermere George competed with three dogs in the Open class where he gained a second prize. In the same week, at another trial, he won fifth prize.
Two weeks later found George at Threlkeld (Cumberland) where he won first, second and fifth prizes, and in the same week was at Burwarton (Shropshire) where he was second and third.
The record of the 1907 Longshaw Trial results is a curious one as it is printed that J Barcroft was second with Dust plus J Barcroft fourth with Tom and then G Barcroft was sixth with Scot. We know that Jonathan had died six years previously. The only other name in the family beginning with that initial is James but George’s uncle James would have died in 1888. James had a grandson named James also, but as George is recorded as having won the special prize for the shepherd who worked in the best style then I would guess he won it with a better dog than his reported sixth place. I think the initial has been wrongly printed. At that trial the crowd is reported as being between three and four thousand strong.
The Bala trial saw George taking first prize in the Open class. Two weeks later at the North Westmoreland Trial at Knock Moor, near Appleby, George was awarded the third prize and shared both the fourth and fifth prizes in the Open class.
August 1908 found George at the Endmoor Trial, near Kendal, where there was an entry of thirty four in the Open class and in which George had four dogs entered. The course was about a thousand yards in length and was rendered intricate by the positioning of the flags and a hurdle gap. The time allowed for completion was eight minutes.
One of the last to compete was George with Dust who started well from the liberation of the sheep, making no mistakes, though it was only by a judicious manoeuvre that the hurdle gap was taken correctly. The three sheep were penned in six minutes 11 seconds. Dust was the winner that day.
The West Riding Trial held at Ingleton (1908) had a ten minute time allowance in the Open class, where George was third. At Lowther Park he won the fourth prize.
Mr T H Miller was the promoter of a new venture held at Singleton Park near Blackpool, where its first sheepdog trials were held. The gentleman gave all the prizes including a silver challenge cup. George entered four dogs and went home with the first, second, fourth and sixth prizes, including the cup to hold for one year. In the doubles he was placed second.
At Wharfedale Agricultural Society’s Show at Otley, George gained second and fourth prizes in the Open class.
The Longshaw Trial of 1908 numbered sixty two entries for the two classes of Local and Open. This year was also the first time of including shedding, to single out one sheep and keep it separate. George was third with Bell, fourth with Tom and fifth with Dust, thus winning £5, £3 and £2.
At the North Westmoreland Sheep Dog Trial on Knock Moor, Appleby, George won the doubles with Scot and Dust. Scott was placed third in the singles. Two weeks later, at Glossop Sheep Dog Trial, George was the winner.
In March 1909, Manchester Dog Show Society held a sheepdog trial alongside their annual exhibition of pedigree show dogs. The trial was held in the athletic grounds at Belle Vue. George was fourth in the singles and second in the doubles.
The End Moor Trial took place in the usual grounds of the Sedgewick Estate near Kendal. George gave an inspiring performance with an exceedingly clever exhibition of running with the first of his two entries, the dog working in perfect unison with her handler. The sheep were penned in five minutes, thirty five seconds, making Bell the winner. George was also fourth with Wylie.
George gained sixth place at the Lake District Sheep Dog Trials Association held at Applethwaite Commons.
The second annual sheepdog trials held in Singleton Park near Blackpool, found George winning the first prize and cup, plus the prize for the best looking dog.
At the twenty fourth annual North Westmoreland Trial, which took place at Ravenstonedale, near Kirkby Stephen, there were thirty seven entrants in the Open class with the result that George shared first and second placings with T Dixon of Nateley.
Two days later George attended the principal event in South Wales held at the Ely Racecourse Cardiff. In the Treagar Stakes first and second awards were won by George; the third and fourth prizes were divided between Rees Evan of Llandovery and George. In the Windsor Stakes George took second, fifth and sixth prizes.
At the 1909 Longshaw Trial there didn’t seem to be a record of any winners. The atrocious wet weather and storms delayed the start of the trial which didn’t commence until after midday, with the Open class and then proceedings came to a halt at 5pm when the mist came down. There were seven more competitors to run so the judges decided to hold the trial again the following week for them to compete. The Local class also took place then.
At Knock Moor George was second with Scott, third with Tom and sixth with Bell.
In August 1910 there was a large crowd to witness the third annual trial held at Harden Moor, near Holmfirth. The sheep were wild and only the most skilful dogs were successful in driving and penning. George won £5 for his second place and was also second in the Doubles.
It was for this event that we are informed of George’s new address as being at Edenfield. He had gone to New Hall, a rented farm.
At the Nidderdale Agricultural Show, held at Pateley Bridge, George was second in the Open class and also in the Doubles.
Three days later was the 1910 Longshaw Trial, where George won £2 for gaining second place in the Doubles.
In June 1911 at the Hiraethog Trial, held at Bryntwillyn, Denbigh, George was awarded the fifth prize in the Open stakes.
The Royal Lancashire Show was held at Bury in August 1911. George won first place and had a fourth place also. Two days later the winning dog was placed fourth at another trial.
The North Wales trials were held in Vivod Park where Ken was placed fourth.
A two day trial was held at the Vale of Bettws Garmon where George gained third place.
The 1911 Longshaw Trial drew a crowd of two thousand spectators. In the Open class George was fourth with Tom and third in the Doubles class.
The following year was to be George’s last visit to Longshaw. He gained third place and prize money of £4 with Bell in the Open class, and was second in the Doubles with prize money of £2.
At the Darwen Agricultural Society Show in May 1913, George gave an exhibition of his dog working sheep.
In July 1915 George obtained a fourth prize with a Lonk Shearling Ram, also a fourth prize with a Lonk Ram at the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show held at Blackburn. At the same show George won first and third at the sheepdog trials.
In October 1915, at the Whitworth District Sheep Breeders’ Association Show, George was awarded first prize in the Lonk Tup Lamb, open section.
One day George and his dog went into Ramsbottom to a restaurant, where the dog was used to visiting as it went inside expecting its master to follow. George stopped to talk to someone outside. Then, on missing the dog, he whistled but the dog was blocked inside due to people in the passage, so being unable to get to the door, the dog went round the counter and sprang through the window, such was the obedience of the dog to its master.
George was elected as a Conservative Councillor for North Ward on the Ramsbottom and District Council in 1912.
In September 1919 at the Whitworth Agricultural Show George exhibited four Lonk sheep and took three firsts and a second.
Just a month later, on 5th October 1919, George died at New Hall in the presence of his sister, Elizabeth.
By the end of his life George was reputed to have won £2,500 in prize money and trophies.
In the obituary it tells us that George had judged Lonk sheep at many of the principal shows and was honoured by being appointed as one of the judges at the Royal Agricultural Society’s Show, held at Derby, several years previously.
Twelve years previous to his death, George had sold a dog for 80 guineas, which was stated to be the highest price ever paid for a working sheepdog. The buyer of Don lived in Perthshire, Scotland.
The executors to George’s Last Will and Testament were Martha Whitworth, thought to be housekeeper at New Hall, and her brother, James Haworth Whitworth, employed on the farm by George.
George left £20 to his sister, Elizabeth, and £20 to each of her nine children, also £20 to his other niece, the daughter of his deceased sister, Phoebe.
In 1909 George had bought Great Hey Farm, Edenfield, and let it so that his illegitimate son, Herbert Taylor, would benefit, in his lifetime, from the rent of Great Hey Farm. Upon Herbert’s death, any children he may have had would then benefit, but if he there were none, then the children of George’s nieces and nephews, on attaining the age of twenty one or marrying, would benefit.
George remained a bachelor all his life.

POSTSCRIPT
Having located the flattened ruin of Scout Moor Bottom Farm, I was impressed by what would have been a substantial dwelling for that area.
It was built on the only piece of flat ground on a very rugged hillside. At the rear of the house it rises steeply to a now disused stone quarry of which the stone looks capable of falling at any time.
The front of the house looks down to the clough far below, then the opposite hillside rises up from there.
The only paths to the farm, then and now, are goat tracks which would mostly be waterlogged. One wonders how the terrain was traversed in the dark. The only mode of transport would have been by horseback – definitely no wheels.
How did the children get to a school? How did the housewife get away from the house for the odd day? She would have infants to take with her.
The husband must have taken a pack horse to the village for supplies, or maybe they had a hired hand to do that chore.
It intrigues me as to how George moved his furniture from there to New Hall! Having moved there he was in a more civilised area in as much as there was a lane leading down into Edenfield.
George had a cousin also named George Barcroft, who was an exhibitor of Lonk sheep and won many prizes at local shows. He also competed successfully on many occasions at the county shows and was a noted judge of sheep. His sheep were also kept on Scout Moor but his farm was in Shuttleworth.
Of course the Barcroft name has been kept alive on the trialling field by my sister, Shirley, before she married Jim Cropper. Since then, our niece, Sophie Holt, has really taken an interest in sheepdog trials and is making a name for herself.
Jonathan was brother to my great great grandfather, George. So Jonathan’s son, George, was nephew to my great great grandfather and was cousin to my great grandfather, Jonathan!!!