WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL CLUB OF SOUTH WALES
A brief history of the club
The magazine “Our Dogs” announced that their October 2020 issue would include an article on the Welsh Springer Spaniel therefore the club provided a brief history and an advert for our club to include in the magazine. If you didn't see it, here it is...
The Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales was formed in 1980, and achieved KC recognition in 1981, gaining Championship Show status in 1985.
Patron at that time was Mr George Couzens JP, who was also Chairman of the Welsh Kennel Club. His enthusiasm and interest in the Club in those early days will never be forgotten and the Club were justly proud to have such a famous name at the helm.
Sh. Ch. Wainfelin Barley Mo, from the Wainfelin kennel of Mansel & Avril Young, features on the Club's logo |
Wales was a ‘hot-bed’ of famous kennels at that time with Harold Newman’s Pencelli kennel, Cliff & Mary Payne’s Tregwillym kennel, and Noel & Dodo Hunton-Morgans’ Dalati kennel being world renowned. They in turn provided the corner stone of some of Wales’ future successful kennels further down the line. The Wainfelin kennel of Mansel & Avril Young, who, along with breeding many Show Champions, produced the Breed Record holder Sh. Ch. Wainfelin Barley Mo at that time.
Ch Mynyddmaen Graig Coch - full champion from the Mynyddmaen kennels owned by John Derrick |
Other notable kennels were Cwrt Afon, (Len & Kath Morgan with Debbie Roberts); Mynyddmaen, (John Derrick) who also bred and owned a ‘full champion’ in Mynyddmaen Graig Coch but was handled by Mike Brain to gain his qualification; Blorenge (Margaret Powell); and Ann Jones’ Pennylock kennels breeding Show Champions including the Full Champion male Ch.Pennylock Quin JW who was the last male Welsh Springer to gain this accolade to date.
Ch. Pennylock Quin JW - bred and owned by Ann Jones |
Still much involved to the present day are, Coedybrain (Janes) who’s Sh. Ch.Coedybrain Dafydd was not only the sire of 5 Show Champions but two ‘Full Champions‘, Ch. Typica Goldigger JW Sh.CM and Ch. Pennylock Quin JW, a wonderful achievement for any sire.
Sh Ch Coedybrain Dafydd - owned and bred by Jan Janes |
Trebettyn (Williams) Sarabande (Worth) and Typica (Rees) whose foundation roots were in Tregwillym and Pencelli respectively, breeding several Show Champions and still active to date. All these kennels have given 40 plus years to the successful breeding of Welsh Springer Spaniels, keeping to the wonderful ‘type’ that has followed on from our forefathers.
Ch Typica Goldigger JW Sh CM - owned and bred by Jan and Alan Rees |
The formation of the Club, the first ‘Regional’ Club to separate from the parent Club - Welsh Springer Spaniel Club - was ignited by the large group of breed enthusiasts in the SW area at that time who wanted very much to promote the native breed in the Principality. It had already run several successful Limited Shows under the auspices of the WSSC but was ready to branch out on its own.
In 1978, after successfully running the 3rd limited show, an entry of 206 Welsh Springers was a self-evident demonstration of enthusiasm and support by the Club Members. Judge that day was John Phillips, the renowned author of the ‘Essential Welsh Springer Spaniel’ book.
The Club went from strength to strength, running Matches, Seminars, Show Preparation Classes, Ringcraft etc. Several Dinner Dances were held in the early years with a ‘Special’ Dinner organised in 1990 to celebrate the first decade in the Club’s history. Other great supporters and Vice Presidents in the beginning were Ron and Tydfil Bebb (Ronfil Cocker Spaniels) who were full of enthusiasm for the new Club.
The Club enjoyed a very successful Working Section period in the early 80’s culminating in the running of the first Working Test in 1983. John Derrick (Mynyddmaen) was Working Secretary at that time and helped secure the large group of Welshies being invited to regular beating/picking up days at the Pomeroy Shoot near Bath.
As the Clubs reputation grew they were invited to attend Game Fairs doing demonstrations and running very successful ‘Scurries’ which were enjoyed by all.
Ch Mynydd Maen Graig Coch in action showing what it takes to become a full champion |
To date the Club continues to go from strength the strength , this year 2020, marks the club’s 40th Anniversary and the club’s Championship show in March was to have been a celebratory event with special prizes to be awarded to class winners, a unique memento for all entrants and a Parade of Champions – unfortunately due to Covid restrictions it was not to be.
The Club intends to carry forward the anniversary celebrations into 2021 and look forward to it being a very special year for everyone if shows are allowed to return to normal.
Whatever happens, the WSSCSW will continue to honour the promise it made at its inception – to promote the Welsh Springer Spaniel in the Principality of Wales.
Jan Rees, Chairman, Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales