Our first AGM since the Covid-19 pandemic gave members the opportunity to gather once more to celebrate the activities that we have been able to arrange in what have been quite difficult circumstances logistically.

Our chosen charity for the coming year has been announced as:

The NEFRA Annual Awards have been announced today

Annual awards are as follows:

President’s Cup – Joint Winners
Sue May’s  Ronevorg Dark Angel At Lussac JW 
Sandra Stevenson’s Blacktoft Caress Of Steelriver

Ceilidh Cup – Jeni Lawson’s Donascimento Aldair

Inca Trophy – Sharon Tamblyn’s Atherbram Jacob

Our congratulations to the winners

Honorary Life Memberships were bestowed upon Mrs Kate Jubb and Mrs Kathryn Trevor as a gesture of thanks for their dedication to the Association over these past 25 plus years.

The Code of Ethics was modified

Ceilidh Cup Final Standings 2021

A first for NEFRA this year is a chance to compete in – open class level one rally – limited to 46 dogs. Organised by Stoneleigh Rally.

Rally is a fun way to compete with your dog around a course of various exercises not too different from obedience made up of a set course of 18 stations, when you arrive at a station you perform an exercise as directed by a instruction board.

The Kennel Club website has more information here

The class is now open for entries, first chance being granted to NEFRA members now. We have been advised that the places for these competitions fill very quickly.

Click here for our schedule and entry form.

We have now published our schedule on the Fosse Data website. Entries can now be made. We are looking forward to seeing you and your dogs for what promises to be an exciting celebration weekend.

Members will have received the notice of the AGM in the latest copy of ‘Wagging Tails’. Here are links to the minutes of the 2021 AGM (held via Zoom) and to the agenda for this year’s AGM.

The twenty seventh Annual General Meeting is to be held at 11:00am on Sunday 20th March 2022 at The Fenton Manor Sports Complex, City Road, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2RR (Gallery Suite – 1st Floor) 

Nominations are now closed for officers and committee positions. Only matters on the agenda can be discussed at the meeting.  Members wishing to attend the AGM must be fully paid up members of the Association 

PLEASE NOTE THAT 2022 SUBSCRIPTIONS WERE DUE ON 1ST OF JANUARY 2022 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

MEMBERS WHOSE CORRECT SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOT RECEIVED BY THE AGM WILL BE UNABLE TO VOTE AND MEMBERS SUBSCRIPTIONS NOT RECEIVED BY 30TH APRIL 2022 WILL HAVE THEIR MEMBERSHIP TERMINATED. 

Postponed from last year, we are delighted to have been offered the use of some land very close to Hayes Farm where our anniversary weekend will be held on May 7th & 8th.

The test will be held on Sunday 8th and we will now accept your entries. Please note that this is a Novice and Open Test. We will hold our Puppy & Novice Dog / Novice Handler test on a separate date.

As always, we would prefer you PayPal payments to be supported by your Paypal Balance or debit card. Please don’t support the transaction with your credit card or NEFRA will be charged.

NEFRA held a KC Working Gundog Certificate on game at Rainford, nr Wigan.
A huge thank you to Ian Clarke, the keeper; Lisa-Jane Mappin, for organising for us to visit and Philip Smithies and Chris Hewison for judging on the day. Thank you to the team of guns for enabling a steady supply of game for the dogs, to the beaters, and to the picker up and all other helpers on the day.

Two certficates were awarded to

Patty Goriainoff and her flatcoated retriever Sweet Licorice Secret’s Surprice (Imp SWE)

Lisa-Jane Mappin and her cocker spaniel Casblaidd Abyssinian

Thank you to everyone for taking part and supporting the day.

Fantastic show as usual and made a change not being on the committee so Val and I were able to enjoy the show . We would like to thank everyone who bought tickets for the walking stick I’m pleased to say we raised £310 which will be donated to Maggie’s cancer charity . A heart felt thank you Val Den xxx

Thank you everybody for supporting them, and congratulations to the winner, Charlotte Jarvis, pictured with Apollo and her new stick. Well done everybody.

We were delighted that exhibitors entered so many dogs at our Championship Show today for our judges Mr & Mrs Goodman. Our new venue in Biddulph allowed us to use their sports hall to celebrate our 25th anniversary – there was cake for everyone and such a friendly spirit in the air.

Many thanks for your entries – we were delighted to see you all after such a long break imposed by the pandemic. Congratulations to all our winners.

Full Results – complete with absentees

Dog Judge’s Critique
Bitch Judge’s Critique

NEFRA held a working test at Castle Howard today by very kind permission of the Howard family and Clive Harrison the gamekeeper.

Once again we are indebted to the wonderful staff of the Castle Howard Estate near York. They once again offered to host our test in their stunning setting in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the event, some travelling a very long way to attend, we very much appreciate your commitment!

A few eleventh hour changes on Friday night with the loss of two judges, a few competitors and several helpers nearly meant it didn’t go ahead at all.

We thank Philip Smithies for stepping in at the last minute to ensure we had a panel judge for the day and so the open test could go ahead. Garry Ellison did a sterling job as always having set all the tests a couple of weeks ago, and also stepped in at the last minute to be the fourth judge, who, along with Casper Jonsen and Theresa Jonsen ensured all the dogs had a fair chance at the tests.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped on the day whether that be dummy throwing, stewarding, placing blinds and catering. We really cannot manage without your help. Lastly thank you to Chris who also does so much behind the scenes and helps make the day a bit easier to manage.

Well done to everyone in the awards, lovely to see so many newcomers, and I hope everyone enjoyed their day!

Results:

PUPPY (3 entries)
1st Sue Rodgers with Signy Never Touching Ground TAF
2nd Fred Newton with Jarvo Supermoon

NOVICE DOG/NOVICE HANDLER (6 entries)
1st Anne Haley with Castlerock Return to Sender at Skybrook
2nd Rochelle Richards with Hopevalley Morning River through Kimberfield – also winning the Yonsaff Cup for Best Newcomer
3rd Sonya Jenkinson with Skybrook Rock Me
COM David Foster with Kenyten Styx
COM Janet Botterill with Frankie Be Good for Gracie

NOVICE (18 entries, 2abs)
1st Not Awarded
2nd Andy Sweeney with Wolfthistle Mr Miracle
3rd Caroline Hewison with Casblaidd Island in the Sky
Judge’s Choice Janet Botterill with Chanangel My Swallow

OPEN (8 entries, 2 abs)
1st Caroline Hewison with Donascimento Danilo from Casblaidd
2nd Andy Sweeney with Norfolk Flyers Rosie’s Thorn of Wolfthistle
Judge’s Choice Amber Nicholls with Featheringay Raven Prince

Well done everyone, hope you all had a safe journey home.