I know that you like to hear news of member’s successes with other breeds so I was pleased to find on the Crufts website that Curly Coated Retrievers were judged by Mr N Waters (Zanfi) and from an entry of 90 dogs including many International Champions from afar away as America, Ireland and Russia he found his Best of Breed and Bitch CC winner in Sh Ch Malanais Ripple owned by Mrs Elizabeth Cooper.

I was unable to go to the Discover Dogs section at Crufts but I understand that they had lots of people interested our breed. The booth was manned on Thursday by Ant Andrews and Alison McNaught with Ollie and Lucie, and on Friday by Steve Lockey and Herbie and Lois Ferrans with Cley in the morning and Sharron Peck & Drue and Michael Parkingson with Lara and Evie in the afternoon. Saturday was the turn of Penny Diamond with Berry and Flossie and Janice Thompson with Bori, and on Sunday Gary, Paula and Bethany Davies with Pugsey, Eileen Hendry and Ghillie, Marion Kong and Penny Diamond with Floss & Berry.

Penny along with Jean Evans also spent most of Wednesday setting the display up -  I am sure you will join me in thanking all of them for giving their time taking their dogs for the members of the public to see. We are always looking for volunteers to man the booths both at Crufts and Discover Dogs at Earls Court, so if anybody who has a “bomb proof” IWS and is willing to give up some of their time we would be pleased to hear from you. 

I have had an e-mail from Vibeke Sandberg in Denmark. Unfortunately the battery on her camera went flat while she was at Crufts so she was wondering if anyone has any photos of the breed judging, particularly Open Dog, if so can you please contact her on rareflair@me.com.

Yesterday was the AGM of the Association, all members standing for election to the Executive Committee were successful and I was re-elected as Hon Treasurer.

I have been contacted by e-mail and phone today (Monday 29^th March) by several members who were appalled by some of the conduct they observed on display at the meeting and I must say it was one of the most antagonistic meeting I have been to over the last 25 years. My only hope is that it was a one off and the new members attending were not put off by what they witnessed. I think it is a pity that during the course of the meeting the most important things in mine and their opinion, i.e. the dogs, were not discussed.

I apologise if there are any errors in the grammar and spelling but I have lent my dictionary to my grandaughter and I am not sure if spell check is working correctly.

Keep the news coming.

Jean

014940783599/07941830666

E-mail jean.gomm@ntlworld.com

Although not showing at Crufts because of her shoulder injury, Chris Attwood’s breeding had a good day, In the open dog class, with Ir Sh Ch Doonbeg Leap of Faith owned in Ireland by Emer Mooney taking first place and Dan/Nor/Swe/Nord Ch Doonbeg Rare Flair(Truffle) owned by Vibeke Sandberg in Denmark taking 2^nd place,Truffle’s handler could not make the trip over from Denmark and he was taken into the ring for the first time by Shannon Roberts a junior handler and it was amazing to see how well she coped with him, when he first entered the ring, he was very exhuabent and it was amazing to see Shannon handle him so proffessionally.

Because of my back I was unable to make it down to the Discover Dogs Booths to see the IWS’S but I understand that the booth was manned on all days, this was arranged by Marion Kong, I do not know the names of the volunteers but I sure you will wish me to thank them for giving their time and taking their dogs to Birmingham to promote this wonderfull breed.

Following on from her Best of Breed win at Crufts Remix  also known as SHCH/IRSHCH/SU/INT CH Gatewood Invitation From Coleenville owned by Heather, Norman and Coleen Large went on to win Best of Breed and Gundog Group 3 at the St Patrick’s Day Show in Ireland, well done.

Don’t forget it is the AGM next Sunday we would like to see as many members as possible attending.

Keep the news coming.

Jean

01494783599 07941830666

E-mail jean.gomm@ntlworld.com

I am sorry that I did not write the blog last week, but Don and I had a lovely short holiday on the Isle of Wight, the weather was sunny but windy but warm enough to sit outside a few coffee shops without being to cold.

It is with great regret that I have to report the recent death at the age of 89 of Rosemary Western one of the Association’s  Vice President’s and former Treasurer of the IWSA. I first met Rosemary when Don and I purchased our first Irish Water Spaniel Ernwood Finn in 1981. Rosemary  not only showed her dogs but used to work them as well and her most famous dog was Fynder Celthair who she made up to a champion from fierce competition as in the eighties entries in IWS classes were much bigger then they are today with some extremely good dogs and bitches being shown. In her latter years Rosemary was unable to attend our Championship show but was always willing to support the Association by giving a generous donation for rosettes, she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Vickie Norman-Massa had s superb weekend recently. On the Saturday at the Mid-Western Gundog Society Open Show IWS’s were judged by Judith Carruthers (Stanegate) Best Puppy in Breed, Best of Breed and being shortlisted for both Best in Show and Best Puppy in Show was her Malanis Sandor. The following day at Yorkshire Gundog Society Open Show where the judge was D Smillie she again won Best Puppy in Breed, Best of Breed and then went on to win Best Puppy in Show he followed his dad’s footstep as Fynder Sea Biscuit at Glenderry who won Best in Show at Yorkshire Gundogs last show.

Well today was Gundog day at Crufts IWS were judge by Mr Michael Quinney, there was an entry of 47 with only 6 absentee on the day. Dog CC (his second) was Fynder Seabiscuit of Glenderry SHCM owned by Vickie Norman-Massa, Reserve Dog CC was a newcomer to top honours Beaufield Errigal At Axlehurn (Imp USA) owned by Denise and Alan Costley, the Bitch CC and Best of Breed honours went to SHCH/IR Sh Ch/SU/Int Ch Gatewood Invitation From Coleenville owned in Ireland by Heather, Norman and Coleen Large but bred in the UK by Pat Wake and Shirley Whitwell, Reserve Bitch CC was Holbain Goosander owned by Pauline and Stuart Furber, Best Puppy was Antdela Lucianna owned by Ant Andrews .

Judy and Sue Hempstead had a fabulous day as well as picking up prizes in the breed classes, they had both entered in the Gamekeeper classes Zac (Cuvana Loautre De Mer )won a magnificent trophy for Best AV Sporting Spaniel Dog from a class of 25 and Brise (Cuvana Brise De Mer) also won a magnificent trophy for Best AV Sporting Spaniel (Bitch) from an entry of 26 it surely must be a first with a mother (Sue) and her daughter (Judy)  both winning top honours  showing a litter brother and sister in different Gamekeeper classes and both of them winning

It was lovely seeing so many friends around the ringside, there were many visitors from overseas including some from Ireland, Australia and Sweden, although I must apologise if I did not have time to speak to you all, as I was busy collecting membership renewals, in fact I only went to two trade stands one to buy Crazy Daisy a new collar and lead and the other to the canine chemists.

It was nice to see Bryan Bateman and Roger Taylor watching the judging after their recent bereav ements

There is an alteration to the forthcoming events page on the website,  at National Gundog IWS’s will be judged by Karen Stirk, this is her first appointment at awarding CC’S, I am sure she is looking forward to fullfilling this appointment  .

Don’t forget the AGM is being held on Sunday 28^th March at Enderby Parish Council Hall, the meeting commences at 11 am.

Also a reminder that annual subscriptions were due on 1^st January and the year book is only posted to fully paid up members

Keep the news c oming.

Jean

01494 783599/07941830666

E-mail jean.gomm@ntlworld.com

I now have details of Rosemary Taylor’s Funeral Arrangements, it will take place at Sherwood Forest Crematorium Newark Road New Ollerton Newark Nottinghamshire NG22 0DY on Thursday 4^th March 2010 at 1.30.pm. At Rosemary’s request and insistence the service will be non-religious and there wlll be no gathering afterwards. Rosemary also requested no flowers but any donations in her memory to Cancer Research.

Unfotunately Don and I will be unable to attend Rosemary’s Funeral as we are away on holiday. We first met Rosemary in the early 1980’s and have spent many happy hours in her company, as you know Roger is involved with several Dog Societies and has been show secretary of Bakwell Show for many years where Rosemary was in charge of the hospitality for the Judges and Stewards. I have also had a few gins and tonics with her in the kitchen at the IWSA shows, it was a privilege and a pleasure to know her and she will be greatly missed by Roger and her many friends.

I had an e-mail from Jaki & Alan Porter, their beloved Barney (Doonbeg Sunscreen) was put to sleep last Tuesday. He was diagnosed with lymphoma 14 months ago and it had spread to his liver and he had begun to suffer so they had to make the correct decision for Barney. They are both totally bereft, all of us will be thinking of them at this sad time.

It certainly has been a very sad year so far with the death of Christine Bateman and Rosemary and several IWS’s have also left us.

At Maidenhead Open Show last weekend IWS did not have classes  but Malanis Tia at Graker won Best Puppy NSC and also went on to win Best NSC and then with over 17 in the group went on to win Group 4 in the Adult Group and also winning Group 2 in the Puppy Group she is owned by Karen Zoe and Graham Stirk.

At the recent Leicestershire Gundog Open Show IWS were judged by Elaine Thomas (Claramand) Best of Breed was Antdella Arabella owned by Ant Andrews Best Puppy and Reserve Best of Breed was Malanis Sandor by Glenderry owned by Vickie Norman-Massa both of them were shortlisted for Best in Show and Best Puppy in Show respectively.

I posted the Agenda for the forthcoming AGM this week to all fully paid up members so it should be with you by the middle of next week. As you can see there are a couple of proposals to alter the rules and I feel it is vital that as many members as possible should attend the AGM as these rule changes if passed could alter how the Association is run.

This weeekend at Mid Western Gundog Society Open Show, IWS were judged by Judith Carruthers (Stanegate) there was an entry of 12 unfortunately only 2 were present on the day, Best of Breed and Best Puppy was  Malanis Sandor by Glenderry owned by Vickie Norman-Massa and Reserve Best of Breed was Malanis Tia at Graker owned by Karen, Zoe and Graham Stirk.

 

Keep the news coming

Jean 01494783599/07941830666 E-mail jean.gomm@ntlworld.com