We are pleased to be hosting a Kennel Club Good Citizen assessment day, offering all three levels, on Saturday 11th July at Park Lodge, Derbyshire.
🕙 Start time: 10:00am
🕤 Please arrive: 9:30am
Please note:
Further joining information will be sent out closer to the date.
🐾 Online entries are now open, please use the link HERE to enter.
NEFRA Gundog Training Day – 27 June 2026
NEFRA will be holding a full-day gundog training event on 27th June 2026 at Burton Salmon, a well-regarded venue that provides excellent ground for practical gundog training.
The day will focus on practical gundog work, covering key skills and techniques suitable for working dogs at different stages of their training. The aim is to give handlers clear, effective training approaches that they can take away and apply in their regular training, whether preparing for the shooting field, working tests, or improving overall control and reliability.
Training will be led by Mr Andy Sweeney and Mr Gary Ellison, both highly experienced and respected gundog trainers. They will deliver instruction throughout the day, sharing their knowledge and experience across a range of areas, including:
The day is designed to be practical, informative, and suitable for a range of abilities. Handlers will have opportunities to observe demonstrations, ask questions, and gain hands-on guidance to support their own training at home.
Further details regarding timings, participant numbers, and booking arrangements will be released shortly.
Ceilidh Cup – Conditions of Entry
Entries for the Ceilidh Cup are now being accepted. Points for the trophy will be counted from 21 February to 20 February of the following year. This timeframe ensures that all working tests and the shooting season are completed.
Lists of qualifying tests, together with the relevant picking-up certificates, must be submitted to the Working Secretary no later than 1 March.
This award is made to the dog, not the handler. A single handler may therefore enter multiple dogs, provided each dog qualifies. Dogs may be handled by different people at different tests or on different days; it is the dog’s performance that earns the points.
To qualify for the award, a dog must have spent a minimum of four days in the field, either picking up or working with game. A certificate confirming this must be signed and dated by the keeper or shoot captain.
The award is open to NEFRA members only. The owner must have been a member for the entire year in which points are being claimed.
Link below to the claims from and more about this Trophy.
NEFRA Gundog Training Day – 28 February
NEFRA held a full-day gundog training event on 28 February at Hesketh Bank, a popular venue regularly used for NEFRA training days and events.
The day focused on practical gundog training, covering key skills and techniques suitable for working dogs at various stages of training. The aim was to provide handlers with clear, effective methods they could take away and apply in everyday training, whether preparing for the shooting field, tests, or simply improving general control and steadiness.
Training was led by Paul Egginton, Gary Ellison and Steve Burns, all highly experienced and respected gundog trainers. Throughout the day they shared their knowledge in areas such as:
A huge thank you to Sam Slinger for allowing us to use such a fantastic venue. Thanks also to our army of helpers throughout the day — we truly couldn’t do it without you.
We ran three training groups:
Each group tackled impressive distances and worked on developing control during retrieves.
The day was absolutely fantastic, and we look forward to returning soon.
NEFRA are hosting a full-day training day at Burton Salmon, kindly hosted by David Foster with Trainers Jim Christen & Samantha Whyte.
This will be a full day of tailored training, focusing on whatever you and your dog need to help progress your work.
The day will take place on a weekend in May, so keep your eyes peeled, the date will be announced very soon.
Change of Location – Working Retriever Assessment (25th April)
Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to change the location of our Working Retriever Assessment on 25th April.
The new venue for the assessment is DN22 9BQ, Retford.
All other details and timings remain the same. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding.
If you have any questions, please feel free to message us. 🐾
Enter online here.
Full details Can be found here:
🐾 Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme – Bronze, Silver & Gold Testing 🐾
📍 Location: Ambergate, Derbyshire
📅 Date: Friday, 11th October 2025
🕤 Time: Meet at 9:30 AM for a 10:00 AM start
⏰ Gold level testing will not begin before 12:00 PM
We will be running Bronze, Silver, and Gold level tests on the day.
£5 per dog – one test per dog only.
Important Notes:
💳 Payment Instructions:
Please pay £5 per dog via PayPal using the following link:
🔗 PayPal.me/NEFRAworkingsub
We look forward to seeing you and your well-trained dogs there!
Enter using this link.
Gundog Training Day – 21st September at Roan Lodge, Buxton, Quarnford by kind permission of Ms Lesley Morgan.
We’re excited to invite you to a Gundog Training Day on Sunday, 21st September at Roan Lodge, Buxton, with experienced trainer Steve Burns.
A big thank you to Lesley for kindly hosting us at Roan Lodge!
This event is a great opportunity to fine-tune your dog’s skills just a week before our Autumn Test. Whether you’re preparing for the test or simply want to see how your dog is progressing, we’d love to see you there.
Come along for a great day of training and camaraderie!
Enter using this link.
Please complete the form together with a cheque (payable to NEFRA) to:
POST: Ms Anne Haley, 54 Knowsley Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 8AP
or EMAIL: NEFRAworkingsub@gmail.com with payment via paypal.me/NEFRAworkingsub
(NB: please do not support the PayPal payment with your credit card – NEFRA would be charged – Select Family & Friends payment option) £15
Cancellation of Autumn Test, 28th September
It is with real disappointment that we announce the cancellation of our Autumn Test on 28th September, due to a lack of entries. This decision has not been made lightly, and it’s been incredibly difficult for all involved.
I, Charlotte Simons, your Working Secretary, am personally very saddened that we’ve had to cancel this event due to such low interest. We had introduced several new elements this year, including a Meet the Judges feature with photos and information, and even arranged a training session just 7 days before the test, all based on feedback from flatcoat owners about what they want from a working test and from their club.
Despite these efforts, the support simply wasn’t there, and I am disappointed it has come to this.
My sincere thanks go to:
– Our judges, who had generously given up their time.
– The landowners at Redhall Farm, for allowing us to secure this brilliant venue months ago.
– Anne and Sonya, for all their hard work in planning and organising these tests, even when it’s clear they’re not being supported as they should be.
– The NEFRA sub-committee, for the effort that went into trying to make this event a success.
We do still hope to run our Spring Test next year, but it’s clear that something needs to change. Entry numbers for working flatcoats have become too low to sustain these events as they currently stand.
Thank you again to those who continue to support us, your encouragement means a lot. Refunds will be processed in due course.
Charlotte Simons
Working Secretary, NEFRA
Schedule found here.
NEFRA Hosts Kennel Club Bronze Good Citizen Test in Knutsford
On 24th August, NEFRA successfully hosted a Kennel Club Bronze Good Citizen Dog Scheme in Knutsford, Cheshire. A huge thank you to Charlotte Simons for the generous use of her field and to Chris Hewison for kindly assessing the dogs on the day.
Congratulations to all who took part, especially our seven successful handlers and their dogs:
Well done to everyone involved!
