NEFRA Northern England Flatcoated Retriever Association

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 1^ST 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 30^TH APRIL 2025 WILL HAVE THEIR MEMBERSHIP TERMINATED.

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.

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

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

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.

13th July

July Training and WRA Day

NEFRA hosted a Working Retriever Assessment (WRA) and training day yesterday at David Foster’s ground in Burton Salmon near Leeds.

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; Rochelle Richards with Hopevalley Morning River Through Kimberfield and Anne Haley with SkyBrook If By Chance. This was Rochelle’s third successful assessment which means she has completed the Novice level and has been awarded her novice working retriever certificate.

Huge thanks to Garry Ellison, trainer and assessor for the day and David Foster for the use of his amazing land.

Online form found here.

Paper Entry and schedule found here.

In a first for NEFRA we hosted two shows in one day at one venue.

Held at: The Exhibition Hall, York Auction Centre, York on 5th May 2024

Championship Show Judge Mrs Helen Fox ( Blacktoft)
Fully Marked-Up Catalogue.
Judge’s Critique

Open Show Judge Miss Abby Bellamy (Moontorn)
Fully Marked-Up Catalogue
Judge’s Critique

Our Championship Show major award winners were as follows:

Best In Show	77 – Windyhollows English Holly at Llantrussa, (Mrs Ca & Mrs L Price & Nicholls)
Reserve Best In Show	44 – Sh Ch Braemist Witches Fire, (Miss L S Jones)
Best Opposite Sex	107 – Lizzlog Shotgun Harry JW (Mrs L Walker)
Best Puppy in Show	101 – Levliann Big Bang, (Mrs L Varty-Lindsay)
Best Veteran in Show	22 – Hoedun Alexandra of Denmark, (Mr P Dunnett)
Best Liver in Show	103 – Levliann Waited for You, (Mrs L Varty-Lindsay)
Best Special Working in Show	63 – Ronevorg Dark Angel at Lussac JW Kcwgc, (Mrs S May)

Dog Challenge Certificate	107 – Lizzlog Shotgun Harry JW (Mrs L Walker)
Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate	33 – Ronevorg I Believe in Santa at Montechor (Mrs M Hessing)
Bitch Challenge Certificate	77 – Windyhollows English Holly at Llantrussa (Mrs Ca & Mrs L Price & Nicholls)
Reserve Bitch Challenge Certificate	44 – Sh Ch Braemist Witches Fire (Miss L S Jones)
Best Puppy Dog	101 – Levliann Big Bang (Mrs L Varty-Lindsay)
Best Veteran Dog	48 – Stranfaer Get over It JW (Mr D & Mrs K Joyce)
Best Liver Dog	103 – Levliann Waited for You (Mrs L Varty-Lindsay)
Best Special Working Dog	63 – Ronevorg Dark Angel at Lussac JW Kcwgc (Mrs S May)
Best Puppy Bitch	106 – Lizzlog Naughty Nun at Night (Mrs L Walker)
Best Veteran Bitch	22 – Hoedun Alexandra of Denmark (Mr P Dunnett)
Best Liver Bitch	54 – Gemswin Goody Two Shoes (Mrs S, Mrs G & Mr M Knight & Jacobs)
Best Special Working Bitch	62 – Lussac Winter Witch JW Sgwc (Mrs S May)

Our Open Show major award winners were as follows:

Best In Show	66 – Hopevalley Morning Wicked, (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste)
Reserve Best In Show	83 – Lizzlog Tittle Tattle, (Miss H S Walker)
Best Opposite Sex in Show	90 – Bitcon Alliance with Bluewaters (ai) JW, (Mrs J Wild)
Best Puppy in Show	72 – Steelriver Isle View Pippet, (Miss S Stevenson)
Best Veteran in Show	71 – Sh Ch Plainfire’s The Captain of My Heart Is Steelriver (Imp Che) ShCEx, (Miss S Stevenson)
Best Liver in Show	82 – Levliann Waited for You, (Mrs L Varty-Lindsay)
Best Working in Show	40 – Ch Moonstruck Macadamia Sgwc, (Mrs S, Mrs G & Mr M Knight & Jacobs)

Best Dog	90 – Bitcon Alliance with Bluewaters (ai) JW (Mrs J Wild)
Best Bitch	66 – Hopevalley Morning Wicked (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste)
Reserve Best Dog	41 – Kulawand Callisto (Mr & Mrs R S & Mrs P Lane & Lane-Ridyard)
Reserve Best Bitch	83 – Lizzlog Tittle Tattle (Miss H S Walker)
Best Puppy	72 – Steelriver Isle View Pippet (Miss S Stevenson)
Best Puppy Dog	80 – Levliann Big Bang (Mrs L Varty-Lindsay)
Best Puppy Bitch	72 – Steelriver Isle View Pippet (Miss S Stevenson)

On 11th May NEFRA held a training morning followed by Working Retriever Assessment in the afternoon. It was held near Retford, Nottinghamshire

Passes were Sonya Jenkinson, Helen Fox, Jenny Jones, Anne Kitching and Rochelle Richards. Special thanks go to Andy Sweeney and Garry Ellison for their excellent training, advice and invaluable feedback, to Helen Fox for her excellent hospitality including cakes, sausage rolls, Prosecco and sloe gin, to the landowner for use of their excellent grounds and to Malcolm and Robert for dummy throwing – we couldn’t run these days without all these wonderful people. Thank you so much.

Everyone had a very enjoyable day. We are holding a very similar day in July so keep an eye on the FB page and website – those people who attended yesterday are already looking forward to the next one.

NEFRA was sorry to hear of the death yesterday of Joyce Ryder. She was a member of our committee for a number of years and also held the office of show secretary for the Association.

It was Joyce who introduced the NEFRA Pup of the Year competitions and she organised these on our behalf for many years.

The committee and membership send our thoughts and condolences to her husband Arnold.

NEFRA held a KC Good Citizen Testing Day on Saturday 23rd March at a venue in Fritchley, Derbyshire

Fueled by coffee and cake, participants, both members, and non-members alike, engaged in bronze and silver assessments on the grounds provided by Paula Goulette. It’s worth noting that the cake and coffee served surpassed even NEFRA’s high standards, adding an extra touch of enjoyment to the proceedings.

Our assessor for the day was Helen Chambers.

Dogs that passed the bronze assessment were Amanda with ‘Lincoln’, Amanda with ‘Delorian’, Paula with ‘Merlin’, Margaret with ‘Sam’ and Lindsay with ‘Cosmo’

Dogs that passed the silver assessment were Claire with ‘Tilly’, Frances with ‘Skye’, Hilary with ‘Bryn’, Caroline with ‘Linnhe’ and Michelle with ‘Walter’

Many thanks to all who helped make this day a success. Congratulations on all the handlers and their dogs for their richly deserved successes.