Author:Charlotte Smith

Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Test – 19th September 2026

NEFRA is pleased to announce that we will be holding a Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Test on Saturday 19th September 2026 in Derbyshire (DE56 2FL).

Whether you’re working towards your Bronze, Silver or Gold Award, this is a great opportunity to showcase your dog’s training, strengthen your partnership, and gain a nationally recognised achievement in a friendly and supportive environment.

The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme promotes responsible dog ownership and encourages good manners in everyday situations. The scheme is suitable for dogs of all breeds and ages, making it an enjoyable goal for both new and experienced handlers.

Further details, including test times, entry information and how to book your place, will be available soon.

We look forward to welcoming you and your dogs for a fantastic day of training and achievement. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates and booking information.

Enter online here.

NEFRA Working Test – Sunday 27th September 2026

NEFRA is delighted to welcome competitors, judges and spectators to our Working Test at Red Hall Farm, Betley, Crewe, CW3 9BA, kindly hosted with the generous permission of Mr & Mrs M. Berrisford.

Our sincere thanks go to our judges, Mr Paul Hasney (B3682), Mrs Gill Awty and Dr Malcolm Awty, for giving their time and expertise to support this event.

The day will feature classes for Puppy, Novice Dog/Novice Handler, Novice and Open, offering competitors of all levels the opportunity to enjoy a challenging and rewarding day of competition. The Puppy, Novice Dog/Novice Handler and Open classes will be judged during the morning, with the Novice class taking place after lunch (not before 1.00 pm), although timings may be adjusted depending on entry numbers.

Competitors should arrive by 9.00 am for a 9.30 am start. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day, and we kindly ask everyone to bring their own lunch and reusable coffee mug. Donations of raffle prizes will also be greatly appreciated.

We look forward to welcoming both familiar and new faces for what promises to be an enjoyable day of friendly competition and excellent gundog work. We wish everyone the very best of luck and hope you have a successful and enjoyable day.

Schedule here. .

Enter online here.

NEFRA Full Day Training Day – A Great Success!

On 26th July 2026, NEFRA held a fantastic full-day training event at Geoff Saints Training Ground, Haighton, Cow Hill, PR2, led by the experienced trainer Garry Ellison.

The day was primarily aimed at novice dogs, and we were delighted to welcome eight dogs and their handlers for a full day of learning, encouragement and practical training. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to develop their skills in a relaxed and supportive environment, with plenty of helpful advice and guidance throughout the day.

It was wonderful to see the progress made by both dogs and handlers, and the enthusiasm and teamwork on display made for a thoroughly enjoyable event.

A huge thank you goes to Garry Ellison for sharing his knowledge and expertise, and to everyone who attended and helped make the day such a success. We look forward to welcoming you all to future NEFRA training days and events!

Redhall Farm in Crewe is a fantastic venue, and we’re excited to be returning for another training day.

The full-day session will be led by Garry Ellison, offering an excellent opportunity to learn from an experienced trainer. To ensure a high-quality experience, the group will be limited to just 8 participants. Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will only be secured once payment has been received.

To reserve your spot, please enter online here.

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:

• Proof of previous awards will be required on the day
• Only one assessment per dog/handler may be undertaken

Further joining information will be sent out closer to the date.

🐾 Online entries

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:

• Basic and advanced handling techniques
• Steadiness and control
• Retrieving and delivery
• Use of dummies and training equipment
• Troubleshooting and solving common gundog training problems

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.

Online entry here.

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.

Ceilidh Cup

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:

• Basic and advanced handling techniques
• Steadiness and control
• Retrieving and delivery
• Use of dummies and training equipment
• Problem-solving common gundog training issues

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:

• A beginners’ group with Paul, who saw brilliant progress throughout the day, with some members even moving up to the novice groups.
• Two novice groups, one of which was more advanced.

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.

Working Retriever Assessment Results – 25th April

We held a Working Retriever Assessment on 25th April and are pleased to announce that we had two dogs successfully pass their Novice Assessments. Jenny passing her third and Helen passing her second.

🐾 Roxwoodbay River of Yonsaff, handled by Jenny Jones
🐾 Satinbaze Cracksman for Blacktoft JW SGWC AI, handled by Helen Fox

Congratulations to both handlers and dogs on their achievement. We look forward to seeing you at the next assessment and wish you continued success in your training.

Full details Can be found here: