NEFRA were delighted to have been able to host a gundog training day on the 10th April 2021. Our first outdoor event of our anniversary year.

The day was kindly hosted by the Welbeck estate near Worksop, Notts. By only offering places to small groups (to adhere to current government restrictions) we were able to provide participants with advice and exercises specific to the dog and handler.

Many Thanks to Garry, Andy and Chris for taking the classes and to Sue for dummy throwing.

This was particularly useful to beginners, and to those who haven’t managed to do much training during the course of the pandemic.

Once restrictions are lifted we hope to be able to return to full days with larger group sizes. We also look forward to being able to offer our famous, friendly, NEFRA hospitality of which we are very proud.

Entries for the Hesketh Bank training day are now open. Training sessions are HALF-DAY only.

Please complete the online form first – we will try to accommodate as many participants as possible whilst maintaining a Covid-19 secure environment. One dog per handler, no mixing of groups. Places may be limited, in which case these will be on a first-come first-served basis.

Some more sad news….we are very sorry to have to let you know that Angela Miller (of the Keepersend affix) has passed away after a long illness. She held the position of Nottinghamshire Area rep for the FRS for a long time and gave willingly of her time and knowledge.A good friend to many in the flatcoat world and always there with a kind word and a ready laugh. We send our condolences to Angela’s family

Angela Miller’s Funeral

We would like to thank everyone for their kind messages, cards and flowers – it has been overwhelming, thank you.

Unfortunately, due to current Covid restrictions, we are sorry to announce that funeral attendance is by individual invitation only. We have also been asked by the funeral directors to advise everyone that additional mourners are not even permitted to stand outside.

Angela wanted family flowers only for the ceremony please. If anyone would like make a donation in her memory, E Gill and Sons Funeral Directors,55 Albert Street, Newark, NG24 4BQ (01636 677461) are taking a collection for the Flatcoated Retriever Society Rescue Rehousing & Welfare Scheme. This will remain open after the funeral until the 17th of March. Thank you all for your understanding at this difficult time. Sarah, Richard & Richard.

The NEFRA committee are deeply saddened by the news that today we have lost a much-loved and long-standing member and committee member, Mr Rob Ashcroft (Keepersway).
Rob had been an active member of the association for many years, joining our committee way back in 2003. He enjoyed participating in both working and show activities with great success. He recently judged our last championship show in 2019 (photo).

Our thoughts are with Lorraine and his family.

For those wishing to stream Rob’s funeral here is the link you will need.
The service is Monday 08/02/2021 at 14:30
https://www.wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast-viewLogin / Order ID: 72637Password: zazkyccn

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Many Thanks

The NEFRA committee

LINK TO THE SURVEY….

The following post has been passed to us by the Flatcoated Retriever Society:

Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows)

2020 has been a difficult and testing year for everyone. The majority of shows/events were cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.  The Kennel Club (KC) however, continued to forge ahead with their plans for judge’s education as summerised below:

In May 2019 the (then) Judges Competency Framework was put on hold pending an independent review. Following the review carried out between August and December 2019, the KC Board agreed to changes based upon recommendations made by the review panel.

From January 2020 the KC Board agreed to rename the Judges Competency Framework (JCF) to The Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows) (JEP)

Most of the original ‘JCF’ criteria continues with only a few changes:-

• The various judging Levels are the same.
• Key requirements of Breed Assessment Days, mentoring and observation assessment remain unchanged although a criteria for Mentors/Observers has been introduced.
• BEC responsibilities remain unchanged.
• Judges will not be licensed and there will be no fee to continue to judge (to be reviewed after 3 years).
• Judges will no longer required to sit the Requirements of a Dog Show Judge exam every 5 years (to be reviewed after 3 years).
• A specified minimum hands-on experience has been introduced for each breed (band).
• There will be no pass/fail element to mentoring.
• Some online exams have been amended to quizzes.

All the information relating to the new judges Education Programme can be found at the following address:-

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/jep

So looking forward to 2021 and beyond – there is a clear educational programme set out for all new and existing judges. As things gradually get back to normal and the shows can start again, judges can access the KC Judges Education Programme and progress with their judging career.

As BEC I am available if you need any support or advice please do not hesitate to contact me:-

victoriajgoldber@gmail.com

0794 100 1689 or 0116 2402 043

Huge thank you to Judge-Mrs Anne Brook

Thank you to judge Mrs Anne Brook

Very sadly we have had to make the decision to cancel our 25th anniversary weekend due to the ongoing uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic.

The weekend was due to be held on the 8th and 9th May this year.

The current plan is to postpone the celebrations for a year and hold our anniversary weekend in May 2022 instead when we can hopefully hold the event on the scale we wish and have a real party.

We plan to hold a ‘virtual weekend’ instead this year on the same dates with an online show and an online working event, details to follow soon.

This decision wasn’t taken lightly, but we will look forward to planning a fabulous event in 2022

Please note that due to the Coronavirus pandemic the NEFRA AGM was be held online as a Zoom meeting on Sunday March 14th.