Category:NEFRA

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.

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:

The NEFRA Annual General Meeting was held in Fritchley, Derbyshire, on Sunday 22 March 2026.

The meeting took place with the kind hospitality of our outgoing Honorary Show Secretary, Mrs Paula Goulette.

Paula was delighted to receive a retirement gift of beautiful flatcoated retriever earrings. She will continue to support the Association in her role as co-opted President, following the sad news that Mr Bob Allen has been forced to relinquish the position due to ill health. In recognition of his many years of support, Bob has been awarded honorary life membership, and we extend our sincere thanks to him.

During the meeting, the following members received the Association’s annual awards:

• President’s Cup – Walker & Roberts’ Gloi Dubh Mormaer JW
• Inca Trophy – Hewison’s Benvellyn Marakele into Casblaidd JW SGWC KCWGC
• Ceilidh Cup – Hewison’s Casblaidd Island in the Sky VW SGWC KCWGC
• Nellspeace Plate – Rachel Pierce

The event was, as always, generously supported by a seemingly endless supply of tea, coffee and cake, kindly provided by members of our hardworking team.

29th March 2026 – Redhall Farm, Crewe

The Northern England Flatcoated Retriever Association held a successful Working Test for Flatcoated Retrievers, alongside Curly Coated Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels, and Nova Scotia Duck Tollers, on Sunday 29th March 2026 at Red Hall Farm, Betley, Crewe.

We were pleased to welcome Flatcoats, Irish Water Spaniels, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers on the day.

Puppy and NDNH were judged in the morning. Although no awards were given in the Puppy class, the judges provided encouraging and constructive feedback, offering valuable training advice for the future.

In NDNH, a second prize was awarded to Ms Sue Margerison with her Irish Water Spaniel, Foulby the Dark Knight at Kandrelli.
The Skylar Trophy was awarded to Ms Stephanie Hurstfield with her Flatcoat, Idalillie Little Duckling.

The Open stake also ran in the morning, with five dogs competing from seven entries. A first place was awarded to Ms Anne Kitching with her Flatcoat, Selloana Callisto Nymph.
Judges Choice in Open went to Mr Garry Ellison with his Flatcoat, Ollersett Duchess.

In the afternoon, the Novice stake saw a strong entry of 15 dogs, with the ground reported to be fantastic. A second place was awarded to Ms Helen Fox with her Flatcoat, Satinbaze Cracksman for Blacktoft JW SGWC AI.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our judges — Ms Nicola Reynolds (A3574), Ms Sarah Middleton, and Mr Henry Carney, for their time and expertise throughout the day.

Grateful thanks also go to Mr & Mrs M Berrisford for kindly allowing us the use of their land at Red Hall Farm, and to all the helpers and throwers whose hard work ensured the smooth running of the event.

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