16th August 2025
Sadly this event has been cancelled.
To enter online please follow this link.
Category: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.
NEFRA Shared Venue 37th Open and 18th Championship Dog Shows – York
With an arrangement similar to 2024 we again hosted an event this year where we had two rings being judged side by side. One for our open show and one for a championship show.
The shows were held at: The Exhibition Hall, York Auction Centre, York on 4th May 2025
Championship Show Judge Mrs J.B. Campbell (Ronevorg)
Major Prize Winners:
| Best In Show | Sh Ch Kazval Angel in Your Sky over Feldkirk (K Anderson) |
| Reserve Best In Show | Stranfaer One Fell Swoop (Mr D & Mrs K Joyce) |
| Best Puppy In Show | Flatterhaft Santa Ines (Ms A Karlsson) |
| Best Veteran In Show | Seaheart Crian at Gloi JW (Miss & Dr L Smitherman & Roberts) |
| Best Liver In Show | Bramatha Brownie TAF (Miss S E F & Mr R Whittaker & Beevers) |
| Best Special Working In Show | Satinbaze Cracksman for Blacktoft (ai) JW Sgwc (Mrs H M Fox) |
| Dog Challenge Certificate | Rotherfield Secret Code (Mrs R & Mr J Anson & Mcmanus) |
| Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate | Hightyne Night Train (Miss M Hall) |
| Bitch Challenge Certificate | Sh Ch Kazval Angel in Your Sky over Feldkirk (K Anderson) |
| Reserve Bitch Challenge Certificate | Stranfaer One Fell Swoop (Mr D & Mrs K Joyce) |
| Best Puppy Dog | Flatcharm How You Doin (Miss K L Holland) |
| Best Puppy Bitch | Flatterhaft Santa Ines (Ms A Karlsson) |
| Best Veteran Dog | Seaheart Crian at Gloi JW (Miss & Dr L Smitherman & Roberts) |
| Best Veteran Bitch | Lizzlog Nun On The Run (Mrs L Walker) |
| Best Liver Dog | Bramatha Brownie TAF (Miss S E F & Mr R Whittaker & Beevers) |
| Best Liver Bitch | Wyrebeck Shes My Surprise (Miss V M Sullivan) |
| Best Special Working Dog | Satinbaze Cracksman for Blacktoft (ai) JW Sgwc (Mrs H M Fox) |
| Best Special Working Bitch | 41 – Benvellyn Marakele Into Casblaidd JW Sgwc (Mr C & Mrs C Hewison) |
Open Show Judge Mrs C. Simons, nee Smith (Whirleymere)
Major Prize Winners:
| Best In Show | Clandrift Bring Me Sunshine JW Kcwgc Sgwc (Mrs V Bowen) |
| Reserve Best In Show | Hightyne Night Train (Miss M Hall) |
| Best Opposite Sex In Show | Sh Ch Hightyne Ramblin Rose (Mr P R & Mrs C E & Miss L C Huyton) |
| Best Puppy In Show | Wychwizard Forester at Tarnmillcrag (Mr J & Mrs R Pierce) |
| Best Veteran In Show | Seaheart Crian at Gloi JW (Miss G & Dr L Smitherman & Roberts) |
| Best Liver In Show | Wyrebeck Shes My Surprise (Miss V M Sullivan) |
| Best Working In Show | Clandrift Bring Me Sunshine JW Kcwgc Sgwc (Mrs V Bowen) |
| Best Dog | Clandrift Bring Me Sunshine JW Kcwgc Sgwc (Mrs V Bowen) |
| Reserve Best Dog | Hightyne Night Train (Miss M Hall) |
| Best Puppy Dog | Wychwizard Forester at Tarnmillcrag (Mr J & Mrs R Pierce) |
| Best Bitch | Sh Ch Hightyne Ramblin Rose (Mr P R & Mrs C E & Miss L C Huyton) |
| Reserve Best Bitch | Hurstclough Joy of The Moors at Elmstock (Mr R D & Mrs V E Orme) |
| Best Puppy Bitch | Wychwizard Painted Lady (Mrs C & Mr A Leavy) |
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.
Les Geoghegan
NEFRA members will be saddened to hear the news of the recent death of Mr Les Geoghegan.
Les and his wife Liz had been in Flatcoats for a number of years showing under the affix Fenfleet and they were regulars around the show ring.
Les’s connection with NEFRA’s committee occurred almost by accident, in 2010, Liz a founder member, decided to stand for the position of secretary, tragically she died suddenly before this could happen. Les then decided to stand for the post in her place enabling him to keep his links with flatcoats and the friends they had made over the years. Les turned out to be a very efficient secretary and he served for 9 years retiring in 2019 when he was made an honorary life member of the Association.
Les died a few days ago after a short illness, he leaves no family but many friends and our thoughts are with them at this time.
Update: The funeral will be held at 1pm 29th January 2025 at West Lancashire Cemetery & Crematorium, Pippin St, Burscough, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L40 7SP
Annual General Meeting 2025
The thirtieth annual general meeting of the Northern England Flatcoated Retriever Association was held on Sunday 16th March 2025 at Fritchley, Derbyshire with the very kind permission of Mrs Paula Goulette.
Our new Hon. Secretary, Mrs Mel Salt was elected. Mrs. Kathryn Trevor was re-elected as Vice Chairman and Mrs Kate Jubb was re-elected to the committee.
We thanked Mrs Margaret Melrose and Mr Steve Jubb as they retired from the committee and presented them with gifts as a token of our gratitude for their years of service.
Annual Awards were presented as follows:
President’s Cup – awarded to Mrs Mandy Romeo-Dieste for Hopevalley Morning Xanadu JW
Ceilidh Cup – awarded to Mr Andy Sweeney’s for Maddistream Black Powder of Wolfthistle
Inca Trophy – awarded to Mr Chris Hewison for Casblaidd Mirror Lake
Nellspeace Plate – awarded to Mrs Dawn Woodiwiss
PLEASE NOTE THAT 2025 SUBSCRIPTIONS WERE DUE ON 1ST OF JANUARY 2025 AND IF PAYING BY CHEQUE THEY SHOULD BE SENT TO OUR HON. TREASURER:
MR D TAYLOR, Cooks Lane House, Cooks Lane, Bradnop, Leek. Staffs. ST13 7HA
PLEASE NOTE SUBSCRIPTIONS WERE INCREASED IN 2021
View the latest rates on our membership page
PLEASE CHECK STANDING ORDERS AND AMEND THEM IF NECESSARY.
MEMBERS SUBSCRIPTIONS NOT RECEIVED BY 30TH APRIL 2025 WILL HAVE THEIR MEMBERSHIP TERMINATED.
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:
- 1st Place: Mr. Garry Ellison with Ollersett Duchess
- 2nd Place: Ms. Helen Fox with Satinbaze Cracksman for Blacktoft JW SGWC
- 3rd Place: Ms. Jenny Jones with Roxwoodbay River of Yonsaff
- 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.
NEFRA 17th Championship Dog Show – Biddulph
Held on 3rd November 2024 at: Biddulph Leisure Centre, Thames Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, ST8 9HL
Judge (Dogs) Miss Kelly Holland (Flatcharm)
Judge (Bitches) Mrs Jan Egginton (Pajanbeck)
Referee and Judge for Special Members Stakes, Baby Puppy Classes and Brace – Mr Dominic Salt (Levelmoor).
Our major award winners were as follows:
| Best In Show | Sh Ch* Hopevalley Morning Wicked, (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste) |
| Reserve Best In Show Best Opposite Sex Best Liver in Show | Llantrussa As Big As The Ritz, (Mrs L & Mr L & Mrs C Nicholls & Nicholls & Price) |
| Best Puppy in Show | Hopevalley Morning Xanadu, (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste) |
| Best Veteran in Show | Telurn Can’t Touch This SGWC, (Mrs B Reynolds) |
| Best Special Working in Show | Benvellyn Marakele Into Casblaidd JW, (Mr C & Mrs C Hewison) |
| Best Baby Puppy | Affinity Promises Kept for Woodfinch (Mrs R Bellamy) |
| Dog Challenge Certificate | Llantrussa As Big As The Ritz, (Mrs L & Mr L & Mrs C Nicholls & Nicholls & Price) |
| Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate | Hightyne Night Train (Miss M Hall) |
| Bitch Challenge Certificate | Sh Ch* Hopevalley Morning Wicked (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste) |
| Reserve Bitch Challenge Certificate | Windyhollows English Holly at Llantrussa (Mrs Ca & Mrs L Price & Nicholls) |
| Best Puppy Dog | Flattie Symphony Lor Elrond (Mrs V Kralj) |
| Best Veteran Dog | Telurn Can’t Touch This SGWC (Mrs B Reynolds) |
| Best Liver Dog | Llantrussa As Big As The Ritz (Mrs L & Mr L & Mrs C Nicholls & Nicholls & Price) |
| Best Special Working Dog | Satinbaze Cracksman for Blacktoft (AI) JW SGWC (Mrs H M Fox) |
| Best Puppy Bitch | Hopevalley Morning Xanadu (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste) |
| Best Veteran Bitch | Caehaidd Lets Go Crazy with Braemist JW (Miss L S Jones) |
| Best Liver Bitch | Shashkrox Never Grow Up (Mr P & Mrs S Holliday) |
| Best Special Working Bitch | Benvellyn Marakele Into Casblaidd JW (Mr C & Mrs C Hewison) |
Full results: https://www.fossedata.co.uk/show-results/northern-england-flatcoated-retriever-association-november-2024.aspx
Photo collection courtesy of Harry Vasey: https://adobe.ly/4hxKcQZ
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