Author:FlatcoatChris

It is with deep regret that we have to announce to death of Mrs Mavis Lancaster, the wife of our late President George.

Both were very loyal and supportive followers of NEFRA during their early days and indeed throughout our years. Mavis always attended our Championship Show and we were delighted that she was able to join us last November. Indeed, we had only just appointed her as an Honorary Life Member at our AGM earlier this month, an honour which we unfortunately were unable to advise her of.

Rest in peace Mavis.

Donations to be split between Sussex Spaniel Association Rescue and Flatcoated Retriever Society.

Mrs Joan Mason (Heronsflight) passed away on 9th December 2013. Joan will be fondly remembered by many in the breed, she was a keen and very knowledgable lady and will be missed by many members.

Joan’s involvement with the breed started when she acquired her first bitch, Heronsflight Blackbell of Yarlaw in 1964. In partnership with her daughter, Rosemary Talbot, the kennel has enjoyed great success over the years.

Elaine Whittaker writes:

On the 20th December 2013 I attended the funeral of Mrs Joan Mason, the Patron of the Flatcoated Retriever Society, held at the very beautiful, traditional old church of St Mary’s in Ilmington, a picturesque village where Joan and her family have lived at Mansil Farm for many years.

It was a fitting service with tributes being read by her eldest son David, her grandaughter Amanda, and a poem read by her daughter-in-law Angela. Her grandson Elliot read Psalm 23 – “The Lord is my Shepherd”. I know Joan would have been very proud of her family on this day. A tribute was also read by Mr Brian Izzard, until recently the Chairman of the Flatcoated Retriever Society. Joan, of course, being great friends with his mother Margaret of the Ryshot affix all those years ago.

After the funeral we were invited to the Howard Arms in Ilmington for refreshments and shared many good memories of Joan before braving the Christmas traffic on the journey home.

Joan and I have been friends since I started in Flatcoats in 1980 being introduced to her by Denise and Neil Jury and what a dear friend she was, always there for advice with her many years of experience and wisdom. As a chapter of my life closes I will never forget the happy times at Mansil Farm with Joans’ legendry ploughmans lunches in the kitchen full of Flatcoats and the farm cats that were always welcome to come in and have a snuggle by the Aga. Not to mention occasionally being spat at on arrival after she and David rescued “Lenny the Llama”.

A true friend who will be greatly missed.

Thanks to Cambridge Vet School

NEFRA members visited Cambridge to attend The Flatcoated Retriever Society’s Health Seminar and visit the cancer care unit with expert lectures given on a number of topics geared with flatcoats in mind.

We would like to thank the FRS Health sub-committee and the Cambridge staff for their kind hospitality.

Please could all members spare the time to revisit the health pages of the FRS site where you can read about the Cause of Death Register (for recording ALL flat coated retriever deaths).  You may also download a copy of the health form for reporting various illnesses.

Yesterday saw NEFRA members merge at the wonderful venue of Dearnford Lake near Whitchurch. The training day, organised by the working sub committee, was very well attended with five groups of handlers with their dogs. By 4 o’clock our hosts and trainers were thanked, and we all treated to a marvellous barbeque by Charles and Jane Bebbington.

There were professional photographers in attendance all day and they have already started putting some of their photos on their own website where they may be purchased.

Working Line Images – Dearnford

The NEFRA committee and members would like to extend their sympathy to the family and friends of Show Champion and Crufts Supreme Champion Vbos The Kentuckian.

Jet meant so much to so many people in the breed, he will be long remembered.

Jet’s entry in Wikipedia

NEFRA members were asked to put together a display of working gundogs at the Dearnford Lake Country Fair last week

The display drew a interested audience from the visitors to the fair and they were introduced to the various dogs and handlers and watched as the display described the progress from young dog through to talented open dogs.

‘Country Life’ magazine featured a number of photos of dogs owned by NEFRA members. The photos were taken last month at a specially arranged photo shoot at Castle Howard – the home of NEFRA Patron Hon Simon Howard.

Jane Hedge’s bitch Satinbaze Water Lily BegEx. In 2011 she has won the Inca Trophy (NEFRA), the Kysheemy Trophy (FRS) and the Jadzia Trophy (Derby & District DTC).

Lily has got her second Beginner Class win moving her up to work in Novice Class obedience – no mean feat!

2012 is the first year the Inca trophy has been won by a dog competing in obedience.

Caroline Hewison’s dog Maddistream Indigo Jack at Casblaidd has won the NEFRA Ceilidh Cup, along with the FRS Pewcroft Trophy and the NGRA Sybil Buckley Commemorative Trophy.

‘Tarn’ won both the NEFRA Open Test and the Cold Game Test in 2011