A brief history of the club

In 1980 a group of Welsh Springer Spaniel enthusiasts held a meeting at the Masons Arms, Griffithstown, Pontypool. The outcome of that meeting was the birth of a new Club, the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales, which in the following year was officially recognised by the Kennel Club.

In October 1981 the first Open Show was held, Judged by Mrs A M Jones MBE. Thereafter, two Open Shows were held each year until the Club received Championship status in 1985.

The first Championship Show, held In April 1985, proved to be a "Ladles Speciality" for both Judges were very special ladies. Mrs Mary Payne, who with husband Cliff founded the famous Tregwillym kennels and Mrs Catherine Sutton, a leading all-rounder of world repute In our sport.

Matches, Seminars, Show Preparation classes, Film and Video evenings have all had their place in the Club's activities and several Dinner Dances were held in the early years with a further Dinner organised in 1990 to celebrate the first decade In the Club's history.

Our January Open Show has become very popular with members, perhaps coinciding with the decision to provide sherry and mince pies upon arrival at the Show.

A thriving and now well-established working section has developed within the Club and the Secretary and sub-committee can feel justly proud of the achievement of Welsh Springers in the field. Working Tests have been a regular feature and In 1993 the first Shooting Dog day was introduced to the working calendar.

Inevitably, the Club has seen many changes among it's Officers and Committee over the years. The fact that the Club is still thriving owes much to the dedication and hard work of those that have served it so well.