Our first Golden Retriever was purchased as a Christmas present for our daughter Judith in 1969 from John Raymond. John was a well known breeder and exhibitor of the Shiremoor kennel. Sh.Ch Gainspa Florette of Shiremoor being one of his well known bitches. We were lucky when John passed away to be given some of his records.
Holywell Goldie was her name and Goldie was purchased, wait for it, as a christmas present for our Daughter Judith. This was one present that was not thrown out with the wrapping paper. John Raymond persuaded us to take a litter from her. One of her pups went to Alma and Terry Race and they suggested we might like to start and show. That was the start of our career in the show world. Goldie was fairly successful in the show ring, qualifying for Crufts. We also kept a bitch Holywell Golden Lass but unfortunately she never made the grade. A second litter was then planned from Sh.Ch. Gainspa Fanfare and we decided to keep a dog and bitch. Holywear Ambrette and Holywear Golden Melody. Again both were shown with success and Amber also qualified for Crufts.
Our daughter was now of an age to have her own pup and started showing so Rachenco Noble Honour of Holywear was bought and Kelly was shown with some success. Out of one of her litters we kept Holywear Chantilly (Cassie).
By now the Golden Retriever Club of Northumbria was formed and as Hon. Secretary we were persuaded by our President Les Wilkinson to introduce training for the gundog side. Kelly and Cassie were introduced into training for working tests so we could learn what was expected of us. This started us to go beating on two estates. As the girls were getting older we decided to purchase Gaineda Top Seal of Holywear who gained his show working certificate. We had now progressed up the ladder from beating to doing some picking up and Shep was a real joy to work but I never had the courage to trial him.
Gaineda Cantelope of Holywear was our last show bred Golden and was a joy to own and work. Tally was selected on many occasions to represent our club at the breed interclub working test which is now an annual event. I decided to have a go at field trials, mainly concentrating on the local clubs. You could image the surprise of the staunched labrador people when I turned up with a show dog. My main delight was when she eye-wiped three labs on a cock pheasant and only to walk away with a 4th. Rather green I could not understand why but I was told later that I had no chance of winning although she was the best game finder in the competition. Tally also picked up guns choice at the GRC Open stake for Golden Retrievers and I was delighted, as again she was the only show dog to be running. I realised through experience that Tally just did not had the speed and drive that the judges were looking for.
The GRCN were now running field trials for and as secretary Gordon and I decided to keep an eye out for some good working stock. Brian McDonnell, being a member of our club, was running Willowric Andy at the time and was picking up with me so I could really see what this dog was like. At one of our trials Heather Whittaker was competing with Abnalls Emmanuelle of Chadsmoor and I approached her to see if she was planning a litter. I was delighted that she used Andy and Lingholme Skree of Holywear was born. I had wanted a bitch but unfortunately Emma only had one bitch that Heather was going to keep but sadly she did not survive. Bracken was to be my first field trial dog who did not disgrace himself.
Gordon then decided he also needed a dog and Carol Calder with Monkcastle Tessa also wanted to use Willowric Andy. Carol came round to our house and met up with Brian where the mating took place and this led to our Ft.Ch. Tillwood Theseus of Holywear being part of our small family. Moss was slow to mature and went on to gain his title in 4 days. Taking an a.v. open one day at the N&D Lab. Club on the Saturday and on the Monday/Tuesday winning a two day at the GRC.
Both Bracken and Moss feature in many of the top winning goldens of today.
Bramhills Tiger Mint of Holywear, Lochton Leet of Holywear were next on the scene. Tiger Mint was a good picking up dog but not good enough to trial. Leet was successful in both tests and trials and a very handsome dog.
Gordon was now working Moscargrange April of Holywear (litter sister to Amos) and also attained a lot of success. Unfortunately she was diagnosed with an under active thyroid gland and in extreme weather conditions she lost her sparkle. She had a long and happy life until she left us at 17 years of age.
Nicky Gordon had a wonderful bitch, Catcombe Celia who used Moscargrange Amos and a pup was brought home - Clibberswick Walnut of Holywear. So sad that we lost Oak in October 2011 at the early age of 10. He is such a miss.
As I had watched Elmbrook Kitty work and was impressed I approached Sarah Gadd for a pup and Birdsgreen Amazing Agatha of Holywear was purchased. Bramble is a super working bitch and has gained trial awards as well as running in many working tests and representing the GRCN in many events.
We mated Bramble to Dukes Wood as on both sides of his pedigree he went back to our Skree and Theseus. Only two pups were conceived and they both stayed home, namely Holywear Gorse and Holywear Damson. Unfortunately we lost Gorse at the very early age of 6, but as he had just sired his last litter we were lucky to be able to take the last dog in the litter and now Soinneanta Gorse of Holywear if part of our family.
As there were only two pups we repeated the mating and 6 pups were born.
Holywear Blackthorn is now being campainged by Glyn Coupar.
Holywear Briar Rose of Gaytonwood - Dawn Rose
Barbara Reppermund (Germany) with Holywear Juniper is having a lot of success
Holywear Jasmine has now gone to a good shooting home and
Bob Stobbart with Holywear Guelder Rose.
Our two youngsters Gorse, who Gordon is running is showing good promise, obtaining 2nd and COM's in field trials last season and my youngster Gaytonwood Berberis of Holywear is progressing nicely.
Soinneantaa Gorse of Holywear quaified for the 2016 IGL at Ampton at the GRC 2 day and has notched up wins and placings at trials. Sadly the 1 day a.v.is still eluding him to make him into a ft.ch. However, he is still the love of our life
New edition to our family being Fenrush Tweed of Holywear winning his first puppy test at 9 months of age. Son of our Soinneanta Gorse of Holywear.
Holywell Goldie was her name and Goldie was purchased, wait for it, as a christmas present for our Daughter Judith. This was one present that was not thrown out with the wrapping paper. John Raymond persuaded us to take a litter from her. One of her pups went to Alma and Terry Race and they suggested we might like to start and show. That was the start of our career in the show world. Goldie was fairly successful in the show ring, qualifying for Crufts. We also kept a bitch Holywell Golden Lass but unfortunately she never made the grade. A second litter was then planned from Sh.Ch. Gainspa Fanfare and we decided to keep a dog and bitch. Holywear Ambrette and Holywear Golden Melody. Again both were shown with success and Amber also qualified for Crufts.
Our daughter was now of an age to have her own pup and started showing so Rachenco Noble Honour of Holywear was bought and Kelly was shown with some success. Out of one of her litters we kept Holywear Chantilly (Cassie).
By now the Golden Retriever Club of Northumbria was formed and as Hon. Secretary we were persuaded by our President Les Wilkinson to introduce training for the gundog side. Kelly and Cassie were introduced into training for working tests so we could learn what was expected of us. This started us to go beating on two estates. As the girls were getting older we decided to purchase Gaineda Top Seal of Holywear who gained his show working certificate. We had now progressed up the ladder from beating to doing some picking up and Shep was a real joy to work but I never had the courage to trial him.
Gaineda Cantelope of Holywear was our last show bred Golden and was a joy to own and work. Tally was selected on many occasions to represent our club at the breed interclub working test which is now an annual event. I decided to have a go at field trials, mainly concentrating on the local clubs. You could image the surprise of the staunched labrador people when I turned up with a show dog. My main delight was when she eye-wiped three labs on a cock pheasant and only to walk away with a 4th. Rather green I could not understand why but I was told later that I had no chance of winning although she was the best game finder in the competition. Tally also picked up guns choice at the GRC Open stake for Golden Retrievers and I was delighted, as again she was the only show dog to be running. I realised through experience that Tally just did not had the speed and drive that the judges were looking for.
The GRCN were now running field trials for and as secretary Gordon and I decided to keep an eye out for some good working stock. Brian McDonnell, being a member of our club, was running Willowric Andy at the time and was picking up with me so I could really see what this dog was like. At one of our trials Heather Whittaker was competing with Abnalls Emmanuelle of Chadsmoor and I approached her to see if she was planning a litter. I was delighted that she used Andy and Lingholme Skree of Holywear was born. I had wanted a bitch but unfortunately Emma only had one bitch that Heather was going to keep but sadly she did not survive. Bracken was to be my first field trial dog who did not disgrace himself.
Gordon then decided he also needed a dog and Carol Calder with Monkcastle Tessa also wanted to use Willowric Andy. Carol came round to our house and met up with Brian where the mating took place and this led to our Ft.Ch. Tillwood Theseus of Holywear being part of our small family. Moss was slow to mature and went on to gain his title in 4 days. Taking an a.v. open one day at the N&D Lab. Club on the Saturday and on the Monday/Tuesday winning a two day at the GRC.
Both Bracken and Moss feature in many of the top winning goldens of today.
Bramhills Tiger Mint of Holywear, Lochton Leet of Holywear were next on the scene. Tiger Mint was a good picking up dog but not good enough to trial. Leet was successful in both tests and trials and a very handsome dog.
Gordon was now working Moscargrange April of Holywear (litter sister to Amos) and also attained a lot of success. Unfortunately she was diagnosed with an under active thyroid gland and in extreme weather conditions she lost her sparkle. She had a long and happy life until she left us at 17 years of age.
Nicky Gordon had a wonderful bitch, Catcombe Celia who used Moscargrange Amos and a pup was brought home - Clibberswick Walnut of Holywear. So sad that we lost Oak in October 2011 at the early age of 10. He is such a miss.
As I had watched Elmbrook Kitty work and was impressed I approached Sarah Gadd for a pup and Birdsgreen Amazing Agatha of Holywear was purchased. Bramble is a super working bitch and has gained trial awards as well as running in many working tests and representing the GRCN in many events.
We mated Bramble to Dukes Wood as on both sides of his pedigree he went back to our Skree and Theseus. Only two pups were conceived and they both stayed home, namely Holywear Gorse and Holywear Damson. Unfortunately we lost Gorse at the very early age of 6, but as he had just sired his last litter we were lucky to be able to take the last dog in the litter and now Soinneanta Gorse of Holywear if part of our family.
As there were only two pups we repeated the mating and 6 pups were born.
Holywear Blackthorn is now being campainged by Glyn Coupar.
Holywear Briar Rose of Gaytonwood - Dawn Rose
Barbara Reppermund (Germany) with Holywear Juniper is having a lot of success
Holywear Jasmine has now gone to a good shooting home and
Bob Stobbart with Holywear Guelder Rose.
Our two youngsters Gorse, who Gordon is running is showing good promise, obtaining 2nd and COM's in field trials last season and my youngster Gaytonwood Berberis of Holywear is progressing nicely.
Soinneantaa Gorse of Holywear quaified for the 2016 IGL at Ampton at the GRC 2 day and has notched up wins and placings at trials. Sadly the 1 day a.v.is still eluding him to make him into a ft.ch. However, he is still the love of our life
New edition to our family being Fenrush Tweed of Holywear winning his first puppy test at 9 months of age. Son of our Soinneanta Gorse of Holywear.