The Club

Since the 1970’s the Club has been instrumental in helping many of the new breeds, particularly in the Semi-Longhair section, which did not then exist, starting with Turkish and Birmans.  They were soon followed by the Main Coons, Norwegian Forest Cats and the Ragdolls.

The Somalis came directly from the Foreign section to complete the group (If you wonder why Devon and Cornish Rex’s are in the Foreign section its because they are cats of a foreign type.)

We are currently helping Sphynx cats to gain preliminary recognition and to show them on exhibition.

Because of our declared aim of supporting new breeds we were also involved in promoting Tonkinese and Bengals through the Provisional and Merit stages of their progress to full recognition.

The Colourpoint, Rex-coated and Any Other Variety Club is a happy, welcoming Club whose aim and object has always been to promote the interests and encourage the breeding and showing of ALL new breeds of Long and Short-hair cats until such time as they have their own specialist clubs.

History of the club

Mr Brian Stirling-Webb had been working to produce Colourpoints - 'long haired cats with Himalayan Factor markings and blue eyes, but of good Persian Type' since the mid-1950's and the inaugural meeting of 'The Colourpoint and AOV Club' was held at his house in Richmond on April 12th 1960, when fifteen people, including well known cat personalities Iris Hancox, Phyllis Lauder, Agnes Watts, John Trevor and Ted Brice-Webb were present. Messages were received from a further seventeen people interested in joining the Club.

By October there were fifty members, the Club was growing rapidly, and was affiliated to the GCCF.

Mrs. S. Harding joined the group, with a special interest in the Colourpoint breeding programme, and this kitten was used to found today's Chocolate and Lilac varieties.

At the same time, Brian was working on the early Rexes, the Cornish then being known as 'Gene l' and the Devons (only founded in 1960) as 'Gene 2'. Because The Rexes were in need of special help the Committee decided to incorporate the words 'Rex-coated' in the title, and the new club name was registered in 1966. The Rex cats were given official recognition in 1967, when they were given Championship status immediately. The Rex Cat Club had been formed in 1964 but sadly Brian Stirling-Webb did not live to see the first Champions.

During the early 1970's the Club drew up the Standard of Points for Turkish Van cats, after studying the Turkish cats brought to Committee meetings by Miss Laura Lushington and Miss Halliday, who imported the original cats from Turkey. They were given official recognition and Championship Status at the same time.

Before the Cameo and Associated Variety Cat Club was formed in 1975, after years of experimental crossbreeding, a meeting had been held in London under the auspices of the Colourpoint, Rex-coated and AOV Club, which was organised by Mrs. E. Hoyle and the late Mrs. S. White. Over sixty people attended, and were able to see the twelve Cameos exhibited.

Since then the Club has also been instrumental in helping Birmans to achieve official recognition, encouraging the revival of Long-hair Bi-colours, took a major part in the recognition of the new Colourpoint colours, and is actively supporting the claims of other new varieties and introductions including nearly all the breeds in the Semi Long-hair Section over the years, and at present we are helping Sphynx cats