Author:Dominic Salt

At the recent AGM, Gillian Smitherman has agreed to try and fill the boots of the wonderful outgoing Show Secretary in Paula Goulette.

Gill has taken on the role with immediate effect, and with the support and help of the outgoing Show Secretary, and the rest of the committee, we are sure she will put her own stamp on the position and do a great job in taking NEFRA forward in the foreseeable future.

Gill brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, being a UK and Overseas Championship Show Judge, Breeder, Exhibitor with a good understanding of working events. She also has a strong fundraising background, which I am sure will also help her in the role, whilst running her own businesses, which I know many have bought items from.

Gill’s Family have long been associated with NEFRA, with her Mum being a founder member.

So we warmly welcome Gill to the team, and hope that there will be a thriving future for NEFRA

Good luck with this new challenge.

Farewell to Paula from her Show Secretary role.

At the recent AGM Paula Goulette stepped down as Show Secretary after a wonderful 15 years of dedication, hard-work and service to this NEFRA role.

Paula has been an amazing officer on the committee, and the rest of us are sad to see her step down, but with a wonderful legacy of great shows and events, Paula has decided that it is now time to do so.

Paula was presented with a memento of thanks from the club for all her amazing service as a NEFRA officer.

However, we have not allowed her full retirement, as due to Bob Allen stepping down from his role of President, Paula has kindly agreed to step into the role for the foreseeable future, until we decide on Bob’s Full-Time replacement.

This will also allow her to pass over all her knowledge and advice to the new Show Secretary, as we knew she would kindly do anyway.

Thank you for everything Paula Goulette.

At the recent AGM, there was a vote for committee member roles

With 7 applicants for the 6 roles available, the members and committee voted on who would fulfil these positions.

Four of the positions were three-year terms (Due to current terms expiring), and two were two-year positions, due to co option of two persons in 2025.

After a very close vote the following people were elected: –

Helen Fox and Dominic Salt-Both 3-year terms.

Harry Vasey and Anna Hazelton-Both 3-year terms (New Committee Members).

Ros Tierling and Anne Haley- Both 2-year terms.

Thank you to everybody that voted and good luck to the committee members filling these positions.

Anna Hazelton was voted in to her 3-year term on the NEFRA committee at our recent AGM.

Anna had been co opted into the committee role for the 2025 period and has started to learn various roles within the association. She has stewarded, helped with results uploading, sold raffle tickets, and worked on refreshments, along with many other jobs and roles at show and working events, and attending and helping out at other club events. Anna has learnt a lot in her time so far with NEFRA, and whilst owning, showing and working her Flatcoats has shown a big interest in the breed whilst maintaining an urge to learn more about our wonderful breed. Anna has provisionally agreed to take on the role of Wagging Tails Editor, with outgoing Wagging Tails Editor Melanie Salt and other Committee members help where necessary.

She has also agreed to continue her role uploading the Fossedata results at the shows, with the help of Chris Hewison.

Harry Vasey was voted into a 3-year term on the NEFRA committee at our recent AGM.

Harry had been co opted into a committee position for the 2025 period and learnt a lot in the process. Harry is a very experienced tech-based individual, with a wonderful knowledge of computing and photography. Many will have seen some of Harry’s photographs in the past, and he now becomes our official show photographer, aswell as agreeing to maintain and update the Facebook and Internet web pages, with the help and advice of Chris Hewison and other committee members. Aswell as show photographs, Harry has Stewarded at shows, and attended and helped at other events, taking part in working events, and has also been responsible for moving our communications forward within the committee and beyond.

We are sure that Harry will provide the club with young exciting ideas, along with his partner Anna Hazelton, and create a good base for the future of NEFRA.

We wish them both good luck and welcome them to their first 3-year term with NEFRA committee

At the AGM on Sunday 22nd March the 2025 winner of the Nellspeace Plate was deservedly presented to Mrs Rachel Pierce by Anne Haley

A wonderful tribute to the late Maggie Hammersley donated by Steve Hammersley, Jude Hammersley and family

At the AGM on Sunday 22nd March Anne Haley presented the 2025 Ceilidh Cup to Caroline Hewison for the winner

Casblaidd Island in the Sky SGWC KWGC VW

Owned by Mr Chris Hewison and Mrs Caroline Hewison

At the AGM on Sunday 22nd March the winner of the Inca Trophy for 2025, was presented by Trophy Sectetary Helen Fox to Caroline Hewison for the winner

Benvellyn Marakele into Casblaidd

Owned by Mr Chris Hewison and Mrs Caroline Hewison.

At the AGM on Sunday 22nd March the trophy secretary Helen Fox presented the Presidents Cup to Lyn Walker for the 2025 winner

Gloi Dubh Mormaer JW

Owned by Ms E J Walker and DR L Roberts.

Don’t Forget Northern England Flatcoated Retriever Association (NEFRA) does have a litter secretary whom can be contacted to help share your litter information, should you feel that the help could ensure your babies find the right homes.
And obviously if you are after a puppy, the same details apply.

Contact Vanessa Burroughs on

01283 814796

or e-mail her on

v.burroughs@btinternet.com

Fantastic show as usual and made a change not being on the committee so Val and I were able to enjoy the show . We would like to thank everyone who bought tickets for the walking stick I’m pleased to say we raised £310 which will be donated to Maggie’s cancer charity . A heart felt thank you Val Den xxx

Thank you everybody for supporting them, and congratulations to the winner, Charlotte Jarvis, pictured with Apollo and her new stick. Well done everybody.

Huge thank you to Judge-Mrs Anne Brook