Huddlestone Clumbers

08/03/2025

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25/02/2025

CSGC Derbyshire training day on 23rd February- arranged at short notice so we could enjoy Derbyshire weather doing something close to its worst!

BUT we saw some lovely young Clumbers, each one highly capable of driving the breed forward. Plus a celebrity appearance by Pru ( and Charlie of course) fresh from their first trial win as the season closed. Lots of reasons to be cheerful!

Not least the facts that Lyn Doubleday now has our Vince (below) and introducing Charlie and Tracey's new pup Orla, also by Pru.

Actually all the dogs we saw today are potential winners.

21/05/2024

15/03/2023

Pru’s litter with Gino at 8 weeks. Huddlestone Dear Prudence FTAW x Parkforth Woodland Warrior FTW is a mating which has been an exciting prospect for some time.

Our plans for these guys are to run them all on throughout the summer at least – two with Parkforth (stud dog Gino’s owners) one with Roy Ellershaw, with two remaining with us at Huddlestone. This should be an interesting experiment for us, hopefully increasing our chances of picking out the future top performers to play their part in advancing the breed.

For now, though, we and they will enjoy their puppyhood in preparation for the work to come.

Photograph by Caro Dell of Workingline Images

15/03/2023

Despite the name. THE CLUMBER SPANIEL GUNDOG CLUB welcome other minority breed spaniels wanting to train for excellence. Our first meeting of the year was therefore an inclusive affair with several other minority breeds being put through their paces alongside Clumbers merging against the snowy backdrop of Cliff Farm,
Andy Parker and Roy Ellershaw were the day’s trainers, two people who have an amazing record in Clumber training and handling. High quality training was assured and the Club thanks Andy and Roy for their continued passion in helping members get the very best from their dogs,
CSGC sessions start with a discussion about each handler’s progress, in a friendly constructive manner from which everyone benefits. We then go out to work, pausing for a much-needed hot lunch, then onwards while ever the stamina and desire of the dogs and handlers holds good.
Everyone had travelled under difficult weather conditions, but no one further than Erik and Tom who had come from Belgium specifically to be with us. An expression of esteem for our pair of trainers indeed.
The great thing about these sessions is a joy in seeing ability in dogs and handlers as they strive to constantly improve their gundog work. Andy and Roy were well pleased with progress across the board, along with some exciting newcomers to the group. Looks like a fabulous summer coming!
Caro Dell of Workingline images was with us and snapped some lovely pictures to mark the day.
Learn more about THE CLUMBER SPANIEL GUNDOG CLUB at www.theclumberspanielgundogclub.co.uk

30/11/2022

The Clumber Spaniel Gundog Club (CSGC) has been evolving since the start of this season and celebrated its official formation at a shoot over day on the wonderful Greystoke Castle Estate on 26th November.
CSGC styles itself deliberately as a Gundog Club, existing solely for handlers keen to train for excellence in gundog work. Our single object is to get the absolute best from some remarkably improved working lines, now requiring equally good handling and training. We welcome any minority breed spaniels interested in this aim.
Doors opened when Midori Diamond Huddlestone made history by winning an AV Novice Trial against good Springers, requiring the Kennel Club to admit minority breed spaniels to Open Stakes. The next chapter now needs to be written.
I am proud to serve as Chairman of CSGC and to have qualified a Springer of my own for this year’s Championships. Most importantly for CSGC, my own Clumbers are now seen as strong AV challengers and we have the attention of leading figures in the wider spaniel world…. but only if we act with determination and dedication. As the CSGC membership passes 30 ambitious handlers across the UK we see that there is a clear enthusiasm to raise the bar for Clumbers.
CSGC won’t suit everyone, and we are selective in admission to membership. You don’t have to be interested in competition, just to have a desire for a properly trained gundog, CSGC will not be a provider of health information, breeding restrictions or social activities. Important as health issues are, they are well catered for by The Working Clumber Spaniel Society (WCSS) or the breed club, The Clumber Spaniel Club.
Good training on live game is especially essential and training shoot overs are central to CSGC programs. Any handler who is serious about training to the standard of a good spaniel is welcome to apply, but to keep focus we will restrict membership numbers to 50 at the outset.
This Club will always concentrate its resources on the aim of improving the dogs. That means no committee honorariums or unnecessary costs. Happily, the committee has strong experience in Gundog club organisation and is well connected to those who can help the Club move swiftly and effectively.
If Clumbers in particular, and minority breeds in general, are to really fulfil their capabilities we must accept that there is much work to be done. This is not a time for complacency or belief that Clumbers are excused from reaching the standards of more mainstream spaniels. CSGC will not allow our breed to be compromised.
The best working lines would not be where they are today without the tireless work of skilled spaniel figures such as Roy Ellershaw, Paul Matthews and Dave Kent. All have given their time to our breed so freely. We are proud to count them amongst CSGC membership where they will have our unswerving respect and support. Unfortunately, not their recent experience with WCSS, at a crucial time when the opportunity for the breed is paramount.
There is no question of a split from WCSS. Rather, we urge all our members to continue to support WCSS and do what they can to hold the Society to its founding objectives.
CSGC is a Gundog Club for those serious about proper gundog training of any minority breed spaniel. Nothing more and definitely nothing less.
Andrew Parker
Chairman. The Clumber Spaniel Gundog Club 30 November 2022

27/09/2022

Huddlestone Clumbers training group in Derbyshire, now under the banner of the new Clumber Spaniel Gundog Club www.theclumberspanielgundogclub.co.uk had a splendid training day in the autumn sunshine at Cliff Farm.

We welcomed Carol Ridlington who was with us for the first time. All the more welcome as Carol kindly supplied us with a toast to both King Charles and the Clumber Spaniel Gundog Club over lunch!

The pictures this time are chosen to illustrate the personal attention which is a feature of small groups meeting regularly. Roy Ellershaw, an A Panel/ Championship judge right at your shoulder in our case! Whilst this can initially feel a bit overwhelming you realise that it helps tremendously with that bugbear of many handlers..... getting the timing right.

Roy is keen to ensure that commands to your dog, praise or rebukes are given at exactly the right time so that the dog learns and is encouraged by the clarity rather than confused. Especially as we worked with younger dogs yesterday, an immediate improvement could be seen, leaning from the techniques Roy had emphasised earlier in the day.

07/08/2022

Excellent days training at Huddlestone Clumbers with Roy Ellershaw. Progress continues with real advances in steadiness demonstrated notably yesterday by Tracey and Charlie's Maisie and a remarkable feat achieved by Rob's Martha to round off the day as she coped with some lively and serious distractions, and stuck admirably to the task.
All the dogs are growing in confidence and the group has gelled into a friendly and mutually supportive crowd, putting us well on the way to that important blend of demanding yet relaxed training.
Roy's style is to think very carefully about each dog and handler team in between sessions so he always arrives with a plan in his head for each one. Although we are fully subscribed at the moment we welcome anyone who wants to come along to sessions and see what we do. We are always keen to meet handler/dog teams at all levels to chat and exchange training thoughts or issues.
The Huddlestone Clumbers training group in Derbyshire is totally independent and open to any Minority Breed Spaniel owner wanting to improve their dog by seriously enjoyable training

13/11/2021

***FIELD TRIAL RESULTS***

The Working Clumber Spaniel Society All Aged Field Trial for any variety spaniel except English Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels.

Newtown, Powys

By kind permission of Mr James Shearer

Judges Mr Nick Davies and Mr Steve Adams

1st Place - Parkforth Rock n Roll, Mr A Parker (Clumber)
2nd Place - Brackenskye Fennel Huddlestone, Mr R Ellershaw (Clumber)
3rd Place - Parkforth Woodland Warrior, Mr A Parker (Clumber)
4th Place - Huddlestone Dear Prudence, Mr R Ellershaw (Clumber)

COMs
Parkforth Sky Rocket, Mr N Stock (Clumber)
Josalyn Nana Natillia Mr A Green (Spanish Water Dog)

Guns Choice - Parkforth Woodland Warrior, Mr A Parker (Clumber)

Best Novice Dog - Parkforth Rock n Roll, Mr A Parker (Clumber)