Here are the Diary details for 2008
25th December - Happy Christmas everyone - I am sending a donation to Breast Cancer Care rather than sending christmas cards this year - which is why you haven't heard from me.
12th December - Wren was awarded a 1st in Yearling at LKA by Anne Hagger (Fairfield) which ended the year on a positive note.
25th October - Zinq was awarded 2nd in a large Post Graduate class, qualifying him for Crufts. Many thanks to Vicky Clarke (Ousevale) for this award.
18th October - Zinq was placed in the Special Working class.
7th October - Quizzy and Czecher had their second injections
4th October - returned home and it was great to see the dogs.
24th September - I went to Manitoba, Canada to see my brother. It was great.
21st September - At Eastern Counties GRC Champ Show Wren was a star, gaining a 3rd in Junior Bitch, a 2nd in Yearling Bitch and a 1st in Novice Bitch from Irene Holloway (Cattrysse) and Zinq won the Special Working Dog class awarded by Ruth Broughton (Amblaire)and the sun shone all day - so an excellent day all round.
19th September - Quizzy and Czecher went for their first jabs. They did quite well in the car and loved the attention from the vet!!!
13th September - Midland Golden Retriever Club ran a working test day and I was in charge!!!! In some ways it was easier than working my dog but I need more advice with the catering!!!!
9th September - Zinq went to ECGRC Novice Field Trial and was steady in the drive, retrieved two birds (one a runner) but unfortunately the second bird was the wrong one and so he was put out. I was pleased with him though and not as nervous as at my first attempt last year.
7th September - Jeff was awarded VHC at Richmond Champ Show in Mid Limit by Pat Cooper (Goldsmill) He kept surprisingly clean on a very muddy ground, many people were struggling to get their cars out of the mud. I was fine in my new Freelander!!!!
3rd September - I got myself a 4x4 - my Freelander has arrived and its lovely.
24th August - I wrote the car off, hitting a sign post after skidding on diesel on a roundabout. I was fine, car was not!!
11th August - Wren was awarded a 4th in Junior, 2nd in Maiden and 3rd in Novice by Di Dale at Bournemouth Champ Show.
3rd August - Zinq was awarded a Certificate of Merit at the Southern GRA Novice working test.
2nd August - Zinq was awarded VHC in Post Graduate dog by Gillian Wicklow (Gillbryan) at National Gundog Champ Show.
26th July - Spent the day the the CLA game fair with Zinq and Briar in the Gundog tent, meeting and greeting dog lovers/owners from all over the country.
19/20th July - Spent the weekend training with other show people at the Coode's place in Herefordshire. Excellent time had by all and the dogs and handlers learnt a lot thanks to the trainers, Chris Rose and Joy Venturi -Rose.
16th July - Zinq wa s awarded a VHC in Post Graduate Dog by Dr Ruth Barbour at East of England Champ Show.
8th July - After a traumatic whelping Ritzy ended up with two live puppies, a dog and a bitch.
2-6th July - We went to Stockholm for the World Show and had a great time.
22nd June - Zinq represented Midland GRC in the Interclub Workign Test. It was agreat day and he completed all of the tests.
14th June - Ritzy has been scanned and we have puppies due.
9th June - Zinq was awarded a Reserve in Post Graduate Dog by Pam Blay (Stablaheim) at Three Counties Champ Show
17th May - We had a girlie weekend at the Scottish Kennel Club Championship Show. Wren was awarded 3rd in Puppy, 4th in Novice and VHC in Undergraduate, qualifying her for Crufts 2009, much to the delight of her owner Dave and Dan. Lark was VHC in Junior and Ellie VHC in Yearling. Thanks to the judge Mrs B Hutchinson (Waverton) for a lovely day.
10th May - Zinq and I competed in the Eastern Counties GRC Novice Test where he sucessfully completed 5/6 of the tests. Briar had her first trip out and enjoyed herself running around the ground.
5th May - At Bedford & District Open Show Lark was placed 3rd in puppy and Jeff, 2nd in Open thanks to the Judge Linda Bennet (Nativegold) and Sydney won AVNSC Toy Special Yearling and was Reserve Best AVNSC Toy by Mrs Taylor (Brentville)
27th April - At the Midland Area URC Test and Training Day, Zinq was awarded a Certificate of Proficiency for completing the tests and not losing more than 10 marks,. Thanks to the Trainer/Judges Dorothy Walls- Duffin, Sean McGrath and Chris Warner for a lovely day.
26th April - At WELKS Championship Show, Lark was awarded VHC in Puppy Bitch by Pauline Bevis (Starlance) to whom we send thanks.
24th April - Gaytonwood Puzzle aka Jasmine produced 10 lovely babies sired by Jeff.
20th April - Zinq competed in his first Novice Working test. He completed all the tests, included a long swim across a lake to retrieve a dummy from the opposite bank.
12th April - Judge Lyn Kipps (Wheatcroft) awarded Ellie 3rd in Yearling Bitch at the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland Championship Show which qualifies her for Crufts 2009 and Zinq was awarded 2nd in the Special Working Class by judge Susan Goodwin (Petsan). On the way home from Scotland I collected Holywear Briar Rose from Jennifer and Gordon Hay in Northumbria. Thanks to them for giving me the chance to own and love one of these working jobs!!!! Sarah kindly showed Sydney for me at the Maltese Club's Open Show where he was awarded 2nd in Puppy Dog by Judge Bert Eason.
5th April - Judge Derek Taylor (Olyjen) awarded Zinq VHC in Post Graduate Dog at Northern Golden Retriever Open Show. He then put on his working head and won the unclassified working test scoring 79 points out of 80 at which I was delighted. Thanks to the NGRA working side for setting this up to give us all a chance to play!!!
24th March - Judge Janette Morrisey (Shepdeor) awarded Lark, Best Puppy In Breed and Jeff a 2nd in Open. Judge Sue Pudney gave Sydney Best AVNSC Toy Puppy, Reserve AVNSC Toy and 3rd in the Toy Puppy Group.
23rd March - At Pinxton and District Canine Society Open Show Mr W Orzel (Braxton) awarded Jeff 1st in Open Dog, Best Dog and Reserve Best of Breed and Lark 2nd in Puppy Bitch. Mrs Orzel (Braxton) awarded Sydney 2nd in AVNSC Toy Junior. A lovely day despite the snowy start!!!!
22nd March - At Birmingham Toy Dog Society Open Show - Sydney was awarded 2nd in Post Graduate by Judge Janice Hutchinson (Areown)
21st March - At Eastwood Open Show Judge Kim Ellis (Tenfield) awarded Jeff a second in Open Dog. He was beaten only by the Best of Breed.
16th March - At South Western GRC Championship Show Lark and Wren were shortlisted in a lovely Puppy Class thanks to Cheryl Bawden MBE (Darthill)
CRUFTS - Ellie was placed 4th in the Undergraduate Bitch Class and Zinq 4th in the Special Open Gundog Working Certificate class. Thanks to both Judges: Bitches Anne Falconer (Siatham) and Dogs Pauline Bevis (Starlance) for a lovely day.
2nd March - At Southern GRA Championship Show, Jeff gained 2nd in Limit Dog, gaining his KC Stud Book Number. Our enormous thanks to Pat Arnold (Amberland)
1st March - Zinq enjoyed himself by celebrating St David's Day in Wales at GRC of Wales' working test. He did one test brilliantly but needs to work on the exercises needed for the other two tests!!!!!
27th Feb - Jeff's first litter was born. 2 dogs and a bitch survive a traumatic whelping.
24th February - Jeff was placed Reserve in Open Dog at URC by Mrs Anne Stephenson (Timtaurn)
23rd February - Jeff was awarded 3rd in Open at Matlock & District from Jean Griggs (Mulfield) and Lark was VHC in Minor Puppy.
16th February - At GRC of Wales Championship Show Zinq was awarded a VHC in the Special Open Dog class by Mrs Lynn Kipps (Wheatcroft). Thanks to her for a lovely day.
9th February - Maggie Hammond (Merimoor) awarded Lark a 2nd in Puppy and Jeff 1st in Open Dog and Reserve Best of Breed. Thanks to her from all of us.
3rd February - Lark was awarded a Reserve and Jeff a VHC from Mrs Pat Tuck (Tamsbrook) at Slough Open Show - what a very cold day - thanks to the judge for putting up with such a cold day!!!!
2nd February - Jeff was awarded 2nd in Open Dog at Rugby and District Canine Society by Mr Lee Cox (Vanitonia) The star of the day though was our Sydney who won Best AVNSC Toy Puppy and then was 2nd in the Toy Puppy Group - Many thanks to Mr Terry Nethercott (Sunsalve) - a great start to our showing!!!
19th January - Manchester Championship Show - Zinq was awarded a VHC in Yearling dog. Thanks to the Judge Arnold Ryder (Jaskar)
14th January - I lost my Wispa today - she was 13, she gave me the opportunity to pick up, compete in working tests and field trials, compete at championships shows and she was the start of the Gaytonwood kennel. I have her daughter, granddaughter, two great granddaughters and a great grandson and two great great granddaughters here and so she lives on and always will through her progeny. I loved her.
13th January - SWECA - Judge Kjell Svennson (Seacrest) awarded Jeff 2nd in Open Dog and Reserve Best Dog.
12th January - Belper Canine Society - Judge Angela Aulton (Winatts) - Jeff was 1st in Open and then awarded Reserve Best of Breed. Thanks to the judge.
6th January - Dukeries (Notts) Gundog Club - Judge Betty Hird gave Jeff his first Best of Breed, Lark was placed 4th in Puppy bitch and Ellie 2nd in Post Graduate Bitch. Thanks to the judge.
5th January - Boston and District Canine Society Championship Show - Judge Doreen McGugan shortlisted Gaytonwood Wren for Finchingford in a strong Minor Puppy class and Dog Judge Julie Seamons shortlisted Jeff in a strong Limit Dog class. Thanks to both judges for starting our year in such a positive way.
1st January Coventry Ladies Kennel Society - Judge Margaret Robson (Mimaro) Jeff gained 1st Limit Dog and Reserve Best of Breed, Lark was shortlisted in a strong puppy class. Thanks to the judge.