Committee
President | Roger Wade |
Chairman (Acting) | Ian Whitfield harvey2256@yahoo.com |
Vice Chairman | Sarah Nickels-Hawkins ugskestraining@outlook.com |
Secretary | Marianne Copp mariannecopp@aol.com |
Treasurer | Ian Vaughan iansvaughan@gmail.com |
Membership Secretary | Jeanette Lithgo ugskesmembership@outlook.com |
Field Trial Secretary | Diana Stevens Wylanbriarlabs@aol.com |
Working Test Secretary | Gill Sweeting gillsweeting61@gmail.com |
Spaniel Section | Vicky Payne vicky@holisticvetsussex.co.uk |
Training Officer | Sarah Nickels-Hawkins ugskestraining@outlook.com |
Spaniel Field Trial Secretary | Nicki Hunter spaniel.sec@utilitygundogsociety.com |
Committee | Jacqueline Mason, Hayley Mack, John Grace, Matthew Hawkins |
Event Schedule
2024 Field Trial Schedule
Field Trial Entry Form
KES – Interbranch Open Qualifier
KES – Novice & Puppy Working Test
KES – Special Puppy, Young Handler, ND/NH Working Test
KES – Open Walked Up on FT Lines
Please forward news and results to update@utilitygundogsociety.com
Training 2024
Location: Grovelands Farm, Biddenden, Kent, TN27 8JQ by kind permission of Roger and Shelia Wade.
Dates: 14 May, 28 May, 11 June, June 25, 9 July, 23 July, 6 August, 13 August.
Times: Arrive by 6.30pm for 6:45pm start.
£10 per handler per session. Please bring along 2 clean and named large canvas dummies.
Open, Intermediate, Novice and Puppy and Spaniel sessions.
See the Training Programme for dates and details of individual sessions and special training days.
Contact Sarah at UGSKESTraining@outlook.com with any questions.
News and Results
25 Sept 2021 – K&ES Novice Stake
On Saturday the 25th Sept 2021 UGS K&ES held our Novice Trial at Orsett. Three drives produced some great shooting for the guns, who gave us a plentiful amount of game on the ground, which in turn made for some skilful retrieving. Thank you to keeper Sid and his team for working so hard and making us feel so welcome, the guns for shooting so well and supporting our event and my wonderful team of helpers who kept the day running smoothly. I am extremely grateful to our Judges, Rodger Ketley, Graham Stanley, Julia Smith and Alistair House, who did a top job.

Second Place to Kilodelta Echo handled by Kevin Warburton
Third Place to Lavanthill Lucy handled by Mike Fleming
Fourth Place to Brindlebay Annet handled by Mike Tallamy
Guns Choice to Mitforton Quarrel of Cadenzahill handled by Carly Madgwick
21 August 2021 – UGS Area Finals
UGS Area Finals 2021 held by UGS HBB on Saturday 21st August at Woodhall Park, Watton-at-Stone by kind permission of Mr Abel Smith.
Judges: John Stubbs and Nick Clitheroe.
We were very kindly sponsored by Skinner’s Field and Trial and Sporting Saint.
A big thank you to the landowner, judges and helpers for all your hard work and for a great day. Thank you to Ray Hood for the fabulous photos! https://www.country-trail-images.co.uk/
1st – Herts, Beds and Bucks and winning the Halday Cup

Andrew Wright with Wadesmill Kite
Mike Lawrence with Brockaghs Fianait
David Sworder with Mistybrook Ebony
2nd Place – Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire

Sue Jordan with Tullysedge Incas Gold
Jacqui Crew with Hanans Kertis
Beth Rayner with Abbey Affinity
3rd Place – Eastern Counties

Stewart North with Northglen Crumble
Jim Crooks with Brindlebay Mika
Keith Foster with Overthwarts Bilton
4th Place – Kent, Surrey and Sussex

Susan Hedge with Castlemans Cook
Marianne Copp with Pointhill Peregrine
Jo Voke with Priesthill Diamond Harry
Top Dog winning the Westernash Trophy: Lesley Crompton with Catcombe Cygnet.
Judges Choice winning the Tilly Trophy: Rob Smallman with Caitlain Primrose.
1 August 2021 – KES NDNH, Special Puppy and Veteran Test
UGS KES held the ND/NH, PUPPY & VETERAN test on 1st August at beautiful Isenhurst by kind permission of the landowners, Mr Clive & Mrs Gilly Nickols.
Huge thanks to our most wonderful judges, I’ve had lovely comments from so many competitors praising your advice and helping our newbies feel relaxed. They were Diana Harrison who came on board at very short notice, Mell Brooks, Jo Voke, Marianne Copp and 1st time trainee judge John Grace. Also huge thanks to all helpers so many your first time helping, you were all great!

1st Cristine Haggstrom with Garrenwell Tirol
2nd Cynthia Thackwell with Lovatnoir Ouzel
3rd Angela Bridgeman Keraroc Hathor
4th Fay Drewry Isleofman Gretel
COM David Terrell Higgscroft Seiko
SPECIAL PUPPY
There was a tongue biting run off for
1st Michael Crutchley Mitforton Teal
2nd Beth Rayner Rookhollow Dahlia
3rd Penny Morris Kynigos Lily
4th Sarah Burnell Rossclyde Highland Mist at Rotherburn
VETERAN
1st Jane Tydeman (handler) owner Gwen Butcher Hatchfield Larch at Broomwood
2nd Bren van Laun Twitchett Nymph
27 June 2021 – KES Novice and Puppy Test
UGS KES held the novice and puppy test on 27 June 2021.
Wounderful day! Challenging Tests! Thanks to Chris and Sue Ellis allowing us to use this fabulous ground. Huge thanks to the judges. Very challenging tests set.
Judges: Louie Robertson, Jane Fenner, David Breech, James Bailey and Bill Gardiner.
Novice

2nd Sophie Taylor, Starspring Solo
3rd Penny Heath, Fletchingly Tulla
4th Jennifer Thomas, Gwidigada Ivy
COM Jacqueline Mason, Lovatnoir Raven
Puppy

2nd Mell Brooks, Anningtonbay Ellellicious
Huge thanks to our lovely tossers and bangers, as we always say we really really couldn’t do this without you. Ian our lovely vice chair and Covid Officer. Huge thanks to behind the scenes Bren and Lesley. Thank you for lovely pics Charlotte Hammick.
2019/11/23 – Novice Stake for 14 AV Retrievers
Novice Stake for 14 AV Retrievers on the 23rd November 2019 at Horsefrith Farm, Blackmore, Essex by kind permission of Mr Simon Polley and Courtesy of The Horserith Farm Syndicate
Judges: Mr P Allen (A3), Mr G Vidler (B2722), Mrs J Van der Dussen (NP3490), Mr K Nettleingham (NP2993)
Prizes: The John Forsey Guns Challenge Cup for the winner of the Stake, The O’Brien Trophy for the runner up, The Banner Trophy for the Guns’ Choice
On Saturday the 23rd November, we held our last trial of the season which was a Novice Stake at Blackmore. Huge thank you to our judges Phil Allen, Gary Vidler, Josefine Van Der Dussen & Kelvin Nettleingham who did a great job. Also thanks to Keeper Sid & his team who produced plenty of game & the syndicate shoot who got them on the ground for us. To all my helpers, you were amazing & I couldn’t run the day without all of you to support me.
Results
1st | Isleofman Gorse Of Wylanbriar | Di Stevens |
2nd | Packmores Pintail | Barry Harvey |
3rd | Leospring Tay | Joy Venturi Rose |
Guns’ Choice | Flintsfield Forever Friend | Mandy Smith |

2019/10/21,22 – 2 Day Open Stake for 24 Dog AV Retrievers
2 Day Open (Qualifying) Stake for 24 Dog AV Retrievers on the 21st and 22nd October 2019 at The Crown Estate, Windsor By Gracious permission of Her Majesty The Queen and The Crown Estate Commissioners By kind invitation of Mr Gary Vidler and Guns on 21 October and By kind invitation of the BASC Guns on 22 October
Judges: Mr K Doughty (A32), Mr R Wade (A1704), Mr G Stanley (B1920), Mrs D Stevens (B3483)
Prizes: The Manymills Salver and President’s Trophy for the Winner
Skinners Trophy for the Best Marking Retriever
UGS (K & E Sussex) Shield for Guns’ Choice
Meadowmill Cup for the Best Looking Retriever in the Awards
Hoopwick Trophy for the Dog taking the Best Runner
The Berry Trophy for the Best Retrieve of the Day
What a wonderful 2 days UGS K&ES had at Windsor for our Open Qualifying Stake held on 21st & 22nd Oct 2019. We had a steady flow of game thanks to Head keeper Peter & his under keepers, with some great shooting from Gary Vidler & his team of guns on the first day & Clive Gibbons & his team of BASC guns shooting for us on the second day. After 11 dogs went through to day 2, we finished on 8 retrieves for the final dogs. Huge Thank you to my judges Kevin Doughty, Roger Wade, Graham Stanley & Di Stevens. Special thanks to Lorne Kentish for being Chief Steward for both days & also to the rest of my amazing team of helpers who were very efficient & made the days run so smoothly. It was also lovely to see our Vice President Gwen Butcher, who came to hand out the awards.
Results
1st, Best Marker & Guns Choice | Copperbirch Ross | Lee Hayman |
2nd | Northglen Crumble | Stewart North |
3rd | Mistigris Finn of Featherfly | Phil Highfield |
4th | Mitforton Onour | Louie Robertson |
CoM | Tagabea Pretty Thing of Luddesdowne | Kelvin Nettleingham |
CoM, Best Looking Dog in the awards | Lannakers Quest of Tofts | Glynis Hillier |
Best Retrieve | Berryshot Bernie | Jason Mayhew |
