Meet the Committee

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I have been involved with dogs for most of my life but around 14 years ago my wife and I fell in love with the Irish Water Spaniels and were advised to get in touch with David & Ursula Wilcox, which we did.  We got our foundation bitch from them in 2011, Fendrake Isla at Islacairn. As a result of Isla, we now have another 9 Irishers, 7 home bred and 2 that we have brought in from reputable breeders. I am actively out picking up on shoots every season with several of our IWS and have been a member of the SIWSC since the beginning of our IWS journey. My wife and I have plenty of experience with the breed and do our best to promote it at all times here in N.E. Scotland. 

I was introduced Irish Water Spaniels at the Midland Game Fair over 15years ago by David and Ursula Wilcox and Melvyn and Denise Hurst. After attending an event at Chillington and talking to others within the club I fell in love with the breed. Over the years my husband and I visited Melvyn and Denise in Sheffield many times and met their dogs, helped to dry off 11 puppies and enjoy their hospitality.  This was much to my family’s surprise as I was always afraid of dogs when I was younger, but these beautiful dogs have won my heart hook line and sinker. 

We initially put our name down for one of David and Ursula’s puppies but unfortunately it just was not the right time for us. We waited and eventually met Yeates who we loved and knew at some point we would have one of his puppies. Well that time came after meeting Roisin owned by Carol Jackson and in 2015 we got our very own IWS , Fenwick (Lachanstrand’s Dubhlainn at Janbry). My husband and I are both members of the Newcastle Wildfowlers Association where Nichol takes Fenwick to shoots and where he enjoys entertaining everyone on the beating lines. I have enjoyed helping with training Fenwick and myself (I need a lot of help) in sporting activities. In 2019 Fenwick became a father for the first time when he mated Melvyn and Denise’s bitch Dee Dee and we got our second IWS Gefrin (Kirkmarsh Ferryman at Janbry). Being committed to the breed Fenwick was mated with Cally, owned by Kerry Finch in 2019 and he became a father for the second time.  Fenwick Father two further litters and we got our third IWS Hepple.

We live in Northumberland where there are not many of the breed around but hopefully this may change in the future as I am passionate in preserving and promoting this amazing breed and the club.

Having brought up with working labradors and springer spaniels I had always wanted my own dog. For some reason I was always drawn to the Irish Water Spaniel stand within the discover dogs stands at various game fairs.

Having spoken to David and Ursula Wilcox at the Midlands Game fair for four years in a row I was lucky enough to have a puppy from them in 2011. Flynn aka Fendrake’s Little Bear was an eye opener. They may be known as the clowns of the spaniel world but I think enigma probably fits better.

Flynn and I were lucky enough to beat on 4 different shoots within the Worcestershire/Shropshire area. I got used to the looks of shock at the end of the day, when the poncy dog, arrived  back covered in all sorts, as he had faced the thick and flushed birds well.

Unfortunately, I lost Flynn at the start of 2023 and the house felt somewhat subdued without a bog dog in it. Fortunately, Martyn Ford allowed me to have a pup out of his litter who I named  Larne.  I have been doing gundog work with Larne and he has been out with in the field during the season.

 Irish water spaniels have been of interest to me for the last two decades; following the SIWSC at events and fairs, and making great friends along the way.  We managed to fit our own Irish Water Spaniel, Fenwick (Lachanstrand’s Dubhlainn at Janbry), into our lives in 2015, looking for a brilliant multipurpose dog, something he is enjoying growing into.  I am currently involved in a couple of beating lines, a member of Newcastle Wildfowler’s Association, and enjoy other sporting opportunities that Fenwick and I can get involved in.  We hope that we continue along this path with Fenwick’s son, Gefrin (Kirkmarsh’s Ferryman). I am strong supporter of making the best of the breed in in all environments, and making this a platform for getting better – whether this is being active with a single dog, or working a large team.  I have thoroughly enjoyed helping at breed confined tests and publicising at fairs, and look forward to a committed and productive association with the SIWSC. 

I've been involved with the breed since 2011 when we got our first IWS, Fendrake Isla (Isla), from David & Ursula Wilcox.  We now have seven, all of whom I adore.  Our dogs are worked regularly in the shooting season and they draw a lot of attention and interest.  I live in NE Scotland and one of my aims is to promote this breed to the best of my ability so as to hopefully help increase their numbers in the working field.