Until her family and friends uncovered Christine’s CV after her death they were unaware quite how distinguished a veterinary surgeon, radiologist and educator she was.  In line with her self-effacing and understated personality the CV documented only essential facts not a more embellished format that a recruitment professional might advise.

Christine was a patient and supportive teacher and as well as her Bristol undergraduate and post graduate degree students she had been instrumental in guiding colleagues through the various stages of the RCVS Certificate and Diploma in Veterinary Radiology examinations since the inception of the latter in 1967.  Her fellow BVA/KC HD/ED panellists bear witness to this having been beneficiaries.  Intensive weeks of film reading practice were held at Langford.  The logistics of these sessions fell to Christine and included not only preparing the teaching material and the long and patient hours spent listening to novices getting to grips with the subject but also ensuring that everyone’s travel and accommodation requirements were met.  More often than not, evening get-togethers, hosted at Christine’s home in nearby Wrington, were a memorable feature.  Later, her radiological colleagues at Langford also assisted in these sessions both professionally and socially.  As the cadre of UK veterinary radiologists slowly increased, the format spawned copy-cat activities in other veterinary schools and centres.  A self-perpetuating handing-down of knowledge, expertise and camaraderie could have been said to stem from Christine’s example.  She was a stickler for proper use of English and accurate use of veterinary terminology essential when mastering the craft of succinct radiological reporting.  At no time was her correction delivered with sarcasm or lacking in empathy.  One example was the loose usage of canine for dog.  It was explained that dog was a noun and that it defined a member of a familiar domestic species, whereas canine was an adjective that could be used to describe a tooth.  You did not forget!

When visiting Christine’s home in Langford it was apparent that her beautiful garden was a great source of pleasure and relaxation.  It was no surprise, therefore, that retirement offered the opportunity to live in a big house with a lovely garden near the sea.  It was no surprise either that her hosting skills were to underpin a successful B&B business when she moved in 2007 to her new home, Westwater House in Budleigh Salterton.  Her border collie x lurcher, Fennel, was a popular addition to the front of house staff, nosily announcing the guests arrival for breakfast so that Christine could start cooking.  Christine was welcoming and nothing was too much trouble causing many of her guests to become regulars and then friends.  On one occasion a well-known entertainer arrived close to midnight and only a few hours after Christine, herself, had returned from teaching abroad.  Refreshments were immediately provided with her usual bonhomie.  I doubt that Gerry Marsden of Pacemaker fame realised the status of his hostess as a veterinary celebrity.

Christine’s other passion was travelling and especially if sunshine was likely to be involved.  After retirement she was able to combine her passion for teaching whilst indulging her travel bug by being a visiting tutor at veterinary schools in the West Indies, Chile, and Israel, and a guest lecturer in Australasia, Africa and Scandinavia.

Christine joined the BVA/KC HD/ED panel in 1973, so effectively held that position for 50 years.  It was early this year that it became impossible for her to travel to London but she remained keen to fit in remote scoring sessions as required between her hospital appointments.  COVID had spawned the possibility of remote working for many, with the inevitable struggle with novel IT challenges and often with less than perfect hardware at home.  Despite her health issues and her seniority in years Christine, with very little guidance, mastered “Radiology by Zoom” and “Paperwork supplanted by Spreadsheet”.

Her wisdom and friendship is greatly missed by the panellists and by the BVA CHS staff.  Even at a late stage of her illness she was determined to extend her hospitality to some of the staff who were close by visiting veterinary practices in the south west.

Christine’s diagnosis of ovarian cancer was met with typical stoicism and cheerfulness.  Business as usual at the B&B and at BVA was the order of the day.  She passed away peacefully in May surrounded by members of her family and her sister’s two terriers.

Written by Dr JV Davies FRCVS on behalf of the BVA/KC HD/ED Panel and the BVA CHS staff