signed Minutes of AGM March 2024

Cheshire North Wales and Shropshire Retriever and Spaniel Society

ID 384

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2026

Held at The Gunroom Checkley Wood Shoot CW3 9DD 

On Thursday March 26th 2026 at 6.30pm

 

AGENDA

  1. Apologies for absence
  2. Minutes of the previous AGM
  3. Matters arising
  4. Chairman’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Field Trial Secretary’s Report
  7. Election of Officers and Committee
  8. Election of Auditors
  9. AOB
  10. Date of next meeting

Present: John Yarwood Chairman, Nicola Reynolds Vice Chairman & Retriever Field Trial Secretary, Matthew Kerfoot General Secretary, Kelly Rogers Davison Treasurer, Lisa Coates Spaniel Field Trial Secretary, Mandy Berrisford Working Test Secretary, Morwenna Hext Howe Webmaster, Suzanne Bailye, Fiona Joinson

DATE OF THE NEXT AGM 

Thursday 27th March 2027 at 6.30pm at the Gunroom Checkley Wood Shoot CW3 9DD

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025

 

Held at The Gunroom, Checkley Wood Shoot CW3 9DD

On Thursday 27th March 2025 at 7.30pm.

 

 

AGENDA

  1. Apologies for absence
  2. Minutes of the previous AGM
  3. Matters arising
  4. Chairman’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Field Trial Secretary’s Report
  7. Election of Officers and Committee
  8. Election of Auditors
  9. AOB
  10. Date of next meeting

Present: John Yarwood Chairman, Nicola Reynolds Vice Chairman and Retriever Field Trial Secretary, Matthew Kerfoot General Secretary, Suzanne Bailye. Also by phone Kelly Rogers Davison Treasurer, Morwenna Hext Howe Webmaster. 

Non Committee Becky Wilkinson. 

Appologies received from Terry Bailey, Gaynor Bailey,Fiona Joinson, Vanessa Kind, Philippa Williams.

 

MINUTES OF the PREVIOUS AGM (2024) were read and accepted as a correct record. Proposer John Yarwood, seconder Matthew Kerfoot. All were in agreement.

MATTERS ARISING

1. Society Website - Morwenna Hext Howe has joined the Committee and taken on the role of Webmaster.

2. Nicola Reynolds is still in need of a card to allow her to purchase things on behalf of the club. 

REPORTS.

Chairman's Report:

John Yarwood presented his first Report as Chairman of CNWSRSS (Report Attached Below) noting that the club is one of the oldest in the country, with records dating back to at least 1921 and a still contested trophy dating back to at least 1923.The Chairman reported that the club had had a successful year, with opportunities for members to take part in numerous Working Tests & Field Trials, a J Regs Seminar with associated examination, and an Eye Testing Clinic.John Yarwood then thanked all of the club’s Officials, Committee, and helpers, and drew particular attention to the generous support provided by Ivor and Nick Beavis of Checkley Wood Shoot.The Chairman concluded his report with a request that CNWSRSS members get more involved in the running of the club with particular note of the desperate need for a Spaniel Field Trial Secretary and a Retriever Working Test Secretary, as well as general help on the Committee.

  1.  

Treasurer’s Report: Kelly Rogers-Davison was only able to join the meeting briefly on the telephone so the Treasurer’s Report has some parts which need further clarification. The number of recorded Members of CNWSRSS is not a year against year direct comparison. There was some confusion over the amount paid for Field Trials during the 24/25 season but this has been clarified – we were charged in error for our last Trial of the season on a driven day at Checkley Wood which Ivor Beavis had, most generously, donated to CNWSRSS.  We will not be charged for our first  Novice Trial of the 25/26 season in recompense – and may also have our second Novice Trial in January 2026 very generously donated once again, although we await confirmation from Ivor. Further investigations will be undertaken into the financial machinations of Trials.  Since we decided to no longer charge a Nomination Fee (was £3) but increase the Entry Fee (Retriever - Novice £60 & Open £80, Spaniel £40), the income from Trials has reduced in comparison to the costs. To ensure that the Society doesn’t lose money each year this cannot continue.

Field Trial Report: Nicola Reynolds presented her Field Trial report.Nicola has very kindly been undertaking the role of Spaniel Field Trial Secretary in addition to her other club duties, however, she informed the meeting that she would no longer be offering to do this.  A discussion ensued as to possible replacements and John Yarwood offered to approach them to ascertain their willingness to help.  Additionally, Matthew Kerfoot agreed to place notifications on various Facebook groups to try to flush out any other interested parties.

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2024

Held at The Gunroom, Checkley Wood Shoot CW3 9DD

On Thursday 21st March 2024 at 7.30pm.

 

 

AGENDA

 

 

 

  1. Apologies for absence
  2. Minutes of the previous AGM
  3. Matters arising
  4. Chairman’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Field Trial Secretary’s Report
  7. Working Tests
  8. Election of Officers and Committee
  9. Election of Auditors
  10. AOB
  11. Date of next meeting

 

 

Present: Ivor Beavis Chairman, John Yarwood Vice Chairman, Matthew Kerfoot General Secretary, Kelly Rogers Davison Treasurer, Nicola Reynolds Field Trial Secretary Retrievers, Jonathon Bailey Field Trial Secretary Spaniels, Fiona Joinson, Phil Goulden, Suzanne Bailye, Roy Ellershaw.

 

 

  1. Apologies were received from:  Terry Bailey, Becki Thistle.

 

 

 

  1. Chairman’s Report; Ivor Beavis confirmed his retirement as Chairman of CNWSRSS and proposed that John Yarwood, the current Vice Chairman, should succeed him. This was unanimously agreed to by all present.

 

To his great reluctance the Committee then presented Ivor with a small gesture of their great appreciation for his support and efforts on behalf of CNWSRSS – a portrait of a Grey Partridge entitled “An English Gentleman”.

 

Thank you Ivor!!

 

Ivor Beavis then left the AGM and John Yarwood Chaired the rest of the proceedings.

 

 

  1. Minutes of the last AGM:  These were read and accepted as a correct record. Proposed by John Yarwood, and seconded by Nicola Reynolds. All were in agreement.

 

 

  1. Matters Arising:  

1. Society Website – Nicola Reynolds has had the financial facility removed from the website.  The current cost of the website is now half of what it once was.

 

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report: Kelly Rogers Davison presented the Treasurer’s Report commenting that 2023/24 had been a better financial year for the club than previously. A profit of £483.29 was made and the bank account held £20,906.78. There were 267 member payments – but not all had paid the current full amount.

 

Kelly had made a three year comparison of Tests and Trials. In general, Trials are loss making for the club and Tests are profit making.

 

Kelly noted that Judith White’s Honorarium had been paid.

 

 

  1. Field Trial Report: Nicola Reynolds presented her Field Trial report (Report Attached Below)

 

Nomination Fees – It was noted that Spaniel competitors will not pay Nomination Fees.  It was agreed that ALL Nomination Fees should be dropped forthwith.

 

Trial Entry Fees – It was agreed that Entry Fees would remain the same for the 2024/25 season (Retriever - Novice £60 & Open £80, Spaniel £40), but would be reviewed for the following season.

 

Spaniel Trial entries were down during the 2023/24 season.  The Committee hoped that keeping entry costs the same this season would help numbers improve.

 

Jonathon Bailey commented that he had withdrawn the CNWSRSS application to hold a Novice Cocker Trial with the KC as there were no attached letters of support. He was in the process of acquiring some letters of support from his contacts and would then ensure that the application was presented at the next KC meeting - tabled for the end of April.

 

A brief discussion then took place regarding Judges for the 2024/25 Trials.

 

 

  1. Working Tests: Nicola Reynolds remarked that the Working Tests were profitable for the club but that they were a lot of hard work!

 

Notice of future Working Tests would be put on Facebook  to increase interest.

 

 

  1. Election of Officers:  Nicola Reynolds was proposed, and seconded, as Vice Chairman of CNWSRSS as John Yarwood had now taken over the Chairman’s role.

 

All of the other Officers would remain in the same roles.

 

 

 

  1. Election of Auditors:  Julian Oldroyd was elected to continue as Auditor.

 

 

 

  1. Any Other Business:  

 

John Yarwood welcomed Suzanne Bailye and Phil Goulden to the Committee, and commented that additional help is still sought.

 

Working Tests – The next Retriever Working Tests will be held on 6th August at Mandy Berrisford’s ground.

 

 

 

 

The next Committee Meeting was set for Thursday 4th July at 7.30pm at Checkley.

 

The Society’s next AGM will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 27th March 2025 at Checkley Wood Shoot.

 

 

Chairman’s Report 2024/25

 

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be Chairman of one of the oldest gundog clubs in the country for the last twelve months.

 

I think we have had a successful year. The members have had available to them two novice retriever trials, a two day open retriever trial, a novice spaniel trial and an open springer trial. On top of this there were two retriever working tests, a J regs seminar and associated examination and an eye testing clinic. All for £15 membership fee, that has got to be great value for money.

 

The club could not function without its officials, committee members and helpers. I would like to draw the members’ attention to the hard work done by these people. We are particularly grateful to Nicola Reynolds who does a fantastic job as Field Trial Secretary (and Working Test Secretary at the moment). Matthew Kerfoot has proved himself to be a very able General Secretary. His attention to detail in the minuting of the club’s meetings leaves nothing to chance and he has performed the difficult task of organising the attendees of the J regs seminar and eye test with apparent ease. With Kelly Rogers-Davison in charge of the finances of the club we can be sure everything is accounted for, she produces the annual accounts and it is reassuring to have someone like her looking after the money.

We must not forget the other committee members who all contribute to the running of the club in many different ways and of course Nick and Ivor Beavis who have made sure the trials run with their usual efficiency and have generously allowed us to use the Gunroom for meetings and other events. Thank you all.

We always need more committee members, particularly a Spaniel Field Trial Secretary and a Retriever Working Test Secretary. If anyone feels they would like to put something back into the sport please get in touch, you would be made most welcome and would be helped along by the committee.

That’s all for 2024, roll on 2025.

John Yarwood

 

 

FIELD TRIAL SECRETARY'S REPORT 2024/25

 

All trials were held at Checkley today by kind permission of Ivor Beavis.

 

Stake 1. 24 dog Open AV Retriever 25/26 September.

 

Judges: Mike Tallamy, Sarah Gadd, Brian Chesser and Paul Hasney.

On day one we walked through a cover crop of stubble turnips and kale and, despite the very wet weather of previous days, the birds flew well and the guns produced some exciting retrieves. The day ended with a walk along Checkley brook where some long and testing retrieves.

10 dogs went through to day 2. The trial continued in another cover crop surrounding a block of maize. The guns shot extremely well, producing some retrieves through the hedges, in the maize and some good long marks in the cover.

 

At the end of the day the judges decided to award the following:

1st - Emmanygan Summer handled by John Halsted 

2nd Emmanygan Spring of Chatsworth handled by John Halsted 

3rd Etomanni Ludo of Corsemaizie handled by Carol Probert 

4th Turpingreen Bohol handled by Kevin Butler

CoM Swiftlands Briar handled by Ellena Nunneley

CoM Lowtrey Clao of Ticefield handled by Keith Broomfield

CoM Mitforton Tout De Suite of Hawkerline handled by Matt Gould.

 

Stake 2. 16 dog AV Novice Retriever, 2nd October

 

Judges: Dave Brown, Reuben Mort, Scott Marland and Vicky Rushton. 

The trial was held in a cover crop of stubble turnip and kale. The dogs that made it through to the awards were those that had a bit more experience and clearly stood out on the day.

 

First: Paul Dixon with Morayglen Hawk of Thornship

Second: Rachel Pugh-Lewis with Flomoor Foxglove 

COM to Ian Marshalsay with Cwmcarrog Guto. 

 

Stake 3.  16 dog Novice AV Spaniel trial , 11th December.

 

Judges: Natalie Cannon and Victoria West 

The judges took the dogs into Checkley Wood where there was plenty of cover for the dogs to work and plenty of game to flush. After a good morning’s work the results were

1st Jim Dransfield with Eborakon Berenice 

2nd Adrian Doyle with Rangemaster River 

3rd Adrain Doyle with Rangemaster Relic 

CoM Thomas Rockall with Dawsonlee Quail 

 

Stake 4: 16 dog Open English Springer Spaniel trial , 18th December.

 

Judges: John Bailey, Ian Bogaki

 

As with the novice trial. Judges took the dogs through Checkley Wood where there was plenty of cover and birds to flush.

First: Spanbella Supershot Shelby handled by Josh Gresty

Second: Laysan Adrian handled by Ben Watkins

Third: Rytex Racing handled by Steve Tyson

Fourth: Cornermarsh Sapphire handled by Alan Rickerby

CoM: Rytex Rye handled by Trvis Crothers, Kendleshire Glory of Bellsmills handled by Matt Longville, Dashbrook Typhoon handled by Steve Bolton, Laysan Rocky handled by Ben Watkins, Eborakon Constantina handled by Alan Rickerby, Palmawr Huntress handled by Marco Moreno

 

Stake 5. 16 dog Novice AV Retriever, 21st January

 

Judges: Paula Cullis, Andy Latham, David Jackson and Norman Onens.

 

For the first time in many years this was a driven trial, the Society being invited, by very kind invitation of Ivor Beavis on his private day with invited guests, to hold a trial.

The Guns all shot extremely well, and many dogs managed to stay in line during the very heavy first drive despite several opportunities to run in. 

Birds were picked from skeleton mustard crop and heavy mud, with a few dogs being lost in the first and second rounds.

The next drive was a heavy partridge drive with many birds falling into a lake giving each remaining dog the chance of a difficult water retrieve.

1st David Thomas with Glassgreen Skye of Omachie 

2nd Lucinda Joule with Woomelick Swift Lily

CoM Mike Nelson with Hawksgarth Hornet

CoM Nicola Reynolds with Burrendale Jack

 

The Society would like to thank Skinners for sponsoring the trial, the judges, game carriers, stewards and pickers up for giving up their time to help; Ivor Beavis for letting us use his ground and for his generosity, and the guns who shot superbly.

 

Unfortunately I can no longer undertake the duties of Field Trial Secretary for Spaniels and ask the Committee to find a replacement for the coming season.