Burton Salmon Training Day

Saturday 12th July 2025

Hello everyone,

We’re so excited that you’ll be joining us for our training event on July 12th! Whether you’ll be attending to build new skills or refresh your knowledge, we’re thrilled to have you.

The session will be focused on learning and making the most of our time together.

We’re looking forward to a great day!

Schedule found here.

Online please enter here.

Entries:
1. Via online entry form on NEFRA website plus entry fee payment by PayPal.
2. Or download entry from NEFRA website and send by post, accompanied by cheque to: Ms Anne Haley, 54 Knowsley Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 8AP
3. Or scan completed entry form and email to NEFRAworkingsub@gmail.comwith payment via PayPal

Payments:If using PayPal go to PayPal.me/NEFRAworkingsub; please use ‘friends and family’ option or NEFRA will be charged – please do not support payment with a credit card
Please put Burton Salmon Training Day as the reference on your PayPal payment
Cheques payable to Northern England Flatcoated Retriever Association (NEFRA)

Kennel Club Good Citizen 27th April

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the event scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled. We understand how disappointing this may be for those who were looking forward to attending, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The decision was not made lightly. Organizers are currently working to reschedule the event and will provide updates as soon as new details become available. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Northern EnglandFlatcoated RetrieverAssociation

Novice Training Day & WRA Assessment

12th April 2025
The Lake House, Roby Mill, WN8 0QT

Training and WRA Day

NEFRA hosted a Working Retriever Assessment (WRA) and training day on the 12th of April at Roby Mill.

Training for both beginner and novice dogs took place in the morning with the WRA taking place in the afternoon.

Two dogs successfully passed the assessment; Jenny Jones with Roxwoodbay River of Yonsaff and Anne Haley with SkyBrook If By Chance.

Huge thanks to Garry Ellison and Gill Awty for being trainers and assessors for the day and Sarah Marfolw for the use of this amazing land.

Schedule found here

Hesketh Bank Training Day


On Saturday, 22nd February, we held a training day at Hesketh Bank. The trainers for the day were Gary Ellison, Steve Burns, and Paul Egginton. Gary took the puppies/beginners, Paul took the early novice group, and Steve took the novice/intermediate group.

The puppies/beginners worked on obedience and then practiced retrieving, focusing on how to get the best from your dog and understanding each element of a simple retrieve.
The early novice group used some of the cover and wooded areas for their retrieves, which made breaking down their retrieves and learning how to succeed with their dog particularly important.
The more advanced novice group tackled longer retrieves and included water in their exercises, which proved challenging for the water-loving breed.

Everyone enjoyed the day, and we thank Sam Slinger for the use of the ground, as well as the judges and helpers who gave up their time to ensure the event ran smoothly and was enjoyable.

Schedule found here.

Saturday 29th March 2025 – Spring Working Test

Kennel Club Working Test – Burton Salmon, Pontefract, LS25 5JX
Held by Kind Permission of Mr. David Foster

Judges:

  • Mr. Paul Stogden (B3661)
  • Ms. Yvonne Storr
  • Mr. Alan Richardson

We hosted a Kennel Club Working Test at the beautiful grounds of Burton Salmon, Pontefract. The day was divided into two sessions: the Puppy and NDNH test in the morning and the novice dog tests in the afternoon.

Morning Session:

  • Puppy Test: The puppies were assessed on their retrieves, steadiness, and overall obedience.
  • Novice Dog/Novice Handler (NDNH): This group was also tested during the morning session.
  • Puppy Test Winner: Ms Helen Fox with Westoncruive Ace of Spades by Blacktoft.
  • NDNH – Unfortunatly there were no awards for this class.

Afternoon Session:

  • Novice Test: This session included a walk-up and tested the dogs’ skills in both sloping grounds and wooded areas.
  • Novice Test Winners:
    1. 1st Place: Mr. Garry Ellison with Ollersett Duchess
    2. 2nd Place: Ms. Helen Fox with Satinbaze Cracksman for Blacktoft JW SGWC
    3. 3rd Place: Ms. Jenny Jones with Roxwoodbay River of Yonsaff
    4. 4th Place: Mr. David Foster with Kenynten Styx

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the following individuals and organizations:

  • The Judges: Mr. Paul Stogden, Ms. Yvonne Storr, and Mr. Alan Richardson for their time, expertise, and commitment to the event.
  • The Helpers and Stewards: Your invaluable assistance ensured the event ran smoothly, and we are deeply appreciative of your support.
  • Skinners: We are grateful for your generous sponsorship.
  • Mr. David Foster: Our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Foster for granting us the use of his exceptional grounds for this event.

Schedule found here.

Enter Online here.

Paper Entry form found here.

Minor Breeds 16th June 2024

Today saw NEFRA members representing our breed at the annual Minor Breeds Test

Our host was Lesley Morgan at Roan Lodge near Buxton.

Judges were Jane Fairclough, Sarah Middleton and Susan Rodgers.

Our winning team was made up of Garry Ellison, Helen Fox, Anne Haley and Sonya Jenkinson.

Individual winner was Garry Ellison with Ollersett Shimmering Nymph and Judge’s Choice was Anthony Ciraolo.

Event sponsors were YuMove, A K Gundog Accessories and Leads & Lanyards

Autumn Test 2024

RoanLodge Gundog Training Centre, Quarnford by kind permission of Ms Lesley Morgan. Our judges for the day were Mr Phil Smithies 2367, Mr Casper Jonsen & Mrs Theresa Jonsen. We would like to thank Lesley for hosting us at her fabulous ground and thank you to our judges for giving up their day and their knowledge and experience for all our competitors. Thank you to all that came to help, dummy throwers, stewards, cooks and everyone that helped make the day run so smooth.

Awards were as follows;
Special Puppy
1st Gary Ellison’s Ollersett Duchess
2nd Caroline Hewison’s Benvellyn Marakele into Casblaidd JW
3rd Julie Matthew’s Ollersett Nymph
4th Rochelle Richard’s Kimberfield in Love Again

Novice
1st Vivienne Gatter’s Larksease Black Bryony
COM 13 David Foster’s Kenynten Styx
COM 15 Helen Fox’s Satinbaze Cracksman for Blacktoft (AI) JW SGWC

Congratulations to all in the awards and we hope you all had a great day.