Over fifty years ago, the late Charlie Relph, a well-known name in Cumbrian (Northern England) sheepdog trialling, started a Dance band called Blencathra. Throughout the winter months, music would echo around the fells of Borrowdale, warming the hearts and souls of the local residents. While Charlie is no longer with us, he would be delighted to know that the band he started so long ago is still thriving today, thanks largely to his two sons, Joseph and Harry Relph. Joseph and Harry are the cornerstones of Blencathra today, with Joseph playing the electronic accordion and Harry singing and playing the guitar. But Charlie left more than a musical legacy. His son, Joseph, has followed his footsteps onto the trial fields of Cumbria and now, representing England, onto the world stage. One can’t help but think that Charlie will be beaming with pride.
Joseph Relph is a bona fide English fell farmer. He has lived in the Borrowdale Valley all his life. A most picturesque spot, Joseph first lived at Ashness Farm where his mother and father farmed. Since 1985, Joseph and his wife, Hazel, have lived at Yew Tree Farm near the top of Borrowdale. Son Stephen, who often accompanies Joseph to trials, lives there also, while their daughter, Rachael, and son-in-law, Ben, live in Yorkshire.
Joseph runs approximately 2,500 Herdwick sheep during the summer months on open fell ground between 2,500 and 3,000 feet (above sea level). Herdwick sheep are a native breed of the central and western Lake District fells in northern England. They are an extremely hardy breed of hill sheep and graze over a wide area. They have a reputation for foraging even in the most difficult of terrain. And demanding terrain it is that Joseph works on. That’s why Joseph needs superb dogs. Dogs that are always trying their hardest to please. Dogs that will keep going even when they are very tired. Dogs with determination. And dogs that can be controlled. Of course, having a natural outrun and a natural feel for sheep are paramount also. These are the kinds of dogs Joseph strives for in his shepherding team, and on the trial field.
Joseph started training sheepdogs when he was 8 years old. His father gave him an unregistered, home-bred dog called Bute. While Charlie showed Joseph how to train Bute, he was adamant that Joseph do all the training himself. Bute turned out to be a fantastic companion and an excellent first dog for Joseph. Joseph won his first trial at the age of 11. He continued trialling until 1977 when he joined a contract shearing gang. It wasn’t until 1999 that Joseph made it back to serious trialling. It was the death of his father that somewhat precipitated this as Joseph inherited Charlie’s three very good trial dogs.
At the World Trial, Joseph will be running Eevee, or Eve, as Joseph calls her. Eve is a very consistent trial dog and an excellent work dog. For Joseph, trialling is not just about training a dog and running it in competition. Like any good shepherd, trialling is about the better management of stock through enhancing the skills and capabilities of the shepherd's dog. To this end, Joseph encourages people new to trialling to spend time trying to improve their understanding of sheep. Sage advice indeed.