Eastern Counties Retriever Society Welcomes You
The Home of ecrs.org.uk
The Eastern Counties Retriever Society was formed at the beginning of August 1907, by asking a few owners of shoots to interest themselves in the matter; their members were asked to join a committee of four members: E Buscton, C.S Cockburn, C.C Eley and J.M Remnart was appointed. Capt, Eley undertook the office of Hon.Sec.
Field trials were arranged to be held at East Bergholt by kind permission of Charles Eley esq. Printed schedules were sent out on the 22nd September 1907 giving full information as to the date of the trials to be held on Friday 29th November
The above information has been taken from the original handwritten script in a book from the very first meeting of the club. All the handwritten minutes are in a leather case and are kept very safe to maintain and savour the history of the club.
Today, the club has come along way, now having a strong, passionate committee led by the chairman Sara Gadd (names found on the committee page) who wish to provide opportunities for members to join in working tests for Novice and Open dogs, as well as Field Trials for Novice and Open dogs and giving owners of open dogs the opportunity to qualify for the prestigious International Gundog League Championship each year.
The club is supported by FTMS for tests and trials to enable members to have instant 24hour access for entering tests and trials and receiving electronic draws and information.
The club strives to maintain the initial starting point of Field trials “ To replicate a shooting day” and the etiquette which accompanies shooting.
President Lady Mann
News
Eastern Counties Retriever Society will be holding a training day on field trial lines on dummies 18th April 2026.
This will be aimed at handlers who would like to trial and would like to gain more knowledge and experience. The morning will be a training session with 2 very experienced A panel judges. The afternoon will be an informal competition.
Limited places available, if you are interested and wish more information, please email jorollinson@hotmail.com
The Commitee
Chairman
Sara Gadd
Vice-Chairman
Doug Laflin
Club Secretary & Membership
Jo Rollinson
Email:jorollinson@hotmail.com
Mob: 07904 109668
Society Committee
Phil Askew
Sara Gadd
Jennie Hankey
Alice Lake
Tony Parnell
Doug Laflin
Jo Rollinson
Sue Laflin
Jane Sawyer
Aaron Wright
Tim Briggs
Alice Trett
Bridget Diggens
Field Trials
If you have any questions about field trials please contact the secretary Sue Laflin suelaflin10@gmail.com
All Age Trial on the 18th September 2025
This was our first trial of the season by kind permission of Mr Henry and Zoe Darling at Intwood Farm, Norwich.
Judges:
Michael Tallamy
Tom Birchall
Kate Bollen
Michael Birchall
A dry hot day, with limited scent. Walking through a great mix of sugar beet, woodland, stubble and a small drive to finish. The guns shot well, providing some great retrieves, thank you.
A tough last drive to finish, leaving 3 dogs and the judges callled the trial over.
Our thanks goes to our sponsors Skinners with vouches to the first 3 places. Our game carrier Alice Trett and Thomas Hodgkin, and the game keeper and his team. Also with thanks to our committee members Sara Gadd and Jo Rollinson. Not forgetting our team of judges who this wouldn’t be possible without.
Results:
1st - Humberflair Field Marshal of Tildaross, handled and owned by Lee Hayman winning the Jayne Sawyers challenge Trophy.
2nd - Mitforton Vava Voom, handled and owned by Louie Robertson also winning the Up Country Prize Cup (guns choice)
3rd - Bellspaddle Norah handled and owned by Sharon Dingle.
Novice trial 11/10/2025
We held our Novice trial today, which was generously given by
Mr Melton Harold at the beautiful estate of Melton Constable, Norfolk.
The trial was a mixture of woods, marsh, high bird cover and stubble turnips.
There was a good flow of birds throughout the day which the guns made an exceptional job of putting on the floor for the dogs to retrieve.
Our thanks goes firstly to Mr Harrold for inviting the club, Bruce Lockhart the estate manager, Paul Wood (hodge) the keeper, his excellent guns, game carriers (Alice Trett and Thomas Hodgkin), beaters, pickers up (Alice Lake), our sponsors Skinners and our judges, Jo Rollinson, Lee Hayman, Tom Sage and Aaron Wright.
Results
1st Peter Abbs Shallowbeck Bridie @ Scarningvale
3rd Rebbeca Thistle Cardueae Kentia
Guns Choice Andy Mutimer Gingerfox Vanguard of Kanzanglaze
COMs
Julia Reed Santana Moonflower
Karen Hurst Saxthrope Derwent
15&16 October 2025
The last trial of the season for the above club, which was held at Ampton Estate by kind permission of Mr P. Rushbrook. We started the first day with a short welcome from Sara Gadd our new chairwoman who presented two of our helpers who had been present at all three of our trials either game carrying or picking up with a gift from the club.
Once again we were honoured to have Alan Hammond running the line sending us an excellent flow of birds for our team of expert guns.
The guns were almost too good!! Thanks to Geoff Allen, Jamie Bettinson, jono,Eric,Lee and Paul.
Our judges were
Mr H. Vilendal, Mr. N. Clitheroe, Mrs. L. Robertson and Mrs E. Nuneley who gave up their time and a chance or a run thank you.
All competitors were given plenty of time and the opportunity to pick the birds.
I also want to thank all the competitors on the second day who although had long road trips ahead of them to other trials stayed to the very end and congratulated all those in the awards and showed their appreciation to the judges,guns and helpers, thank you.
Thank you to skinners once again for their sponsorship. For my fellow committee members who are always around helping, those that carried the birds those that picked up and the guys who were acting as stops, FTMS and the ladies at Ampton making tea and
Results
1st. Mr. V.Thorby Hullabaloo Thunder. Winning Delaval Astley Memorial Cup, Anne Wentworth-Smith Memorial Trophy ( guns choice)
Challenge Cup ( dog to have been trained and handled by owner) This is Vince’s first two day win and we wish him good luck at the championships.
3rd. S. Gadd Ftch Brindlebay Gertie Too of Birdsgreen
4th S. Dingle Ftch Bellspaddle Mungo also wining the Kilderkin Trophy for best retrieve and the Snapehill Dan Trophy ( dog bred and trained by handler)
COM
Anna Mayhew Wauniago Dara also wining “The Mike Rollinson Memorial Trophy” ( Keeper choice over the two days)
M. Demaine Gunnerspeg Excalibur Of Caytonfell
The Tony Parnell Trophy ( best hunting dog)
Membership
In this section, membership form and standing order mandate can be obtained in a word document. Please ensure the forms are correctly filled in and sent to the membership secretary jorollinson@hotmail.com Members will only be approved at each committee meeting which are held three times a year.