BSAVA founding member part of Historic Collection

A bust of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association's (BSAVA) first ever president has been added to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeon's (RCVS) Historic Collection.

Presented to the RCVS by current BSAVA president, Professor Michael Day, the bust of Cecil Erskine "Woody" Woodrow is a replica of the bronze original kept at the BSAVA's Gloucestershire headquarters.

The replica is on display at the college, in Belgravia House, London.

Woodrow graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1927. Upon becoming president of the Central Veterinary Society in 1956, he held a meeting to discuss the formation of a small animal specialist group.

Out of that meeting came the BSAVA, of which Woodrow became president in March 1957. He also authored the association's first ever handbook, The Export and Import of Dogs and Cats.

The presentation of Woodrow's bust was attended by the three surviving members of the group that founded the BSAVA, Nick Henderson, Bruce Vivash Jones and Brian Singleton.

"I am delighted to present this statue of Woody Woodrow, the first BSAVA president, as a reminder of the contribution paid by those founder members back in 1957," said Prof Day.

"They shaped the future for companion animal vets in the UK and globally, through their key role in establishing the BSAVA. These pioneers were ambitious about scientific excellence and created a supportive environment for continuing professional development."

Image courtesy of RCVS