Burns and Becks Gundog Club Cumbria

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Welcome to Burns and Becks Gundog Club

The Burns and Becks Gundog Club was formed in 1965 by a small group of retriever trainers who ran training days and tests against other local clubs.

Since Kennel Club affiliation in 2012 the club has re-affirmed its aims to help handlers improve the standard of their dogs through training classes, working tests and field trials. Members of all ages and levels of experience are welcome, including young handlers who are the future of the sport.

If your query cannot be answered by the website you may contact the club officials on the details below. Please note all officials have full time jobs and would therefore appreciate email being used as the main method of communication.

General & Membership Secretary: Lauren Sykes. Email: l_sykes@outlook.com

Working Test & Field Trial Secretary: Kirsty Howson. Email: kranson@hotmail.co.uk

Treasurer: Richard Howson. Email: Richard.howson@live.com

News – June 2021

Since our last news item we had hoped to report on progress in providing summer events for our members. Sadly the third wave of covid in the Lancashire, North Manchester  Merseyside and Tyneside areas has produced further challenges.


As clubs in most of the rest of the country have been able to work within the 30 max limit to organise tests and training, these local problems have impacted planning for our events between 21st June and 19th July. With great disappointment the Club has decided to postpone both the training session at Winster on Saturday 3rd July and the 4 way inter club test on Saturday 17th July. Both of these events would have involved contravention of the Government’s advice for only essential travel within areas affected by the covid delta variant.

We apologise for the disappointment this will bring to our members and those of the Pennine Training Area, Pilling Gundog Club and Lancashire and Merseyside Field Trial Society, and look forward to hosting the 4 way next year and making it a special occasion.

Decisions on the remaining Burns and Becks planned events beyond 19th July remain to be made and obviously will depend on circumstances. We very much hope these will take place:

Saturday 7th August – Training at Withet

Sunday 1st August – Training at Hethersgill

Saturday 23rd October – Open Trial at Roeburndale

Saturday 30th October –  Novice Trial at Roeburndale


We will confirm these as soon as we can.

2021 AGM

Members will know that we intended to hold a face to face AGM  but events have determined that we had to settle for an electronic meeting as specified by the Kennel Club.


This took place on Thursday 20th May and in summary:

1. The accounts were approved.

2. The treasurer’s report was acknowledged.

3. Thanks were given to Andy Jardine and Matt Rowlinson who had stepped down from the committee.

4. Peter McCurrie was elected to the Committee.

5. The officers and other members of the committee were willing to continue and their appointments confirmed.


At the Zoom committee meeting that followed the AGM  a small number of items were confirmed:

  1. The unanimous vote of the committee, subject to confirmation by the Kennel Club, to implement a one dog one handler policy for club trials was confirmed.
  2. The summer programme of events was confirmed, with responsibilities agreed.
  3. A small number of new member applications were approved.
  4. Bearing in mind the special circumstances of the last 18 months, discussion of the issues surrounding out of pocket expenses for secretaries was deferred until the next meeting, with their agreement.


We wish all our members and readers good health and happiness and a speedy end to the uncertainty of what the future may hold.

Paul Dixon, Chairman

Contact us for details about membership and latest events.