The latest edition of the Kennel Gazette has an article on English Setters.  My parents were into E.S. many years ago (50's) and so it was interesting to read a bit about Suntop and Shiplake.  I'm sure one of our setters had a Shiplake Boisdale affix.  Anyone into E.S. know the Boisdale (or Boysdale) affix.  We went somewhere near to Reading back in the 50's to use a stud dog.  I had a feeling it was Shiplake but I was very young !!!! and can't remember now.  I believe our setter was Shiplake Boisdale Sunflower, she was an orange belton.  Would love some info.
Lorna

Shiplake is about half way between Henley on Thames and Reading on the A4155 Lorna. I know the KC have a rule about places not allowed in affix's but I also know that it does sometimes happen. That's about all I can tell you.

There was an English Setter who used to live on the opposite side of the road to me back in the 50's. Nimo used to lay outside the front door in the sun and when anyone, and I mean anyone, went up to the door he would lift his tail and let it drop again. Duty done he would then go back to sleep.

Regards, John

Thanks John, I looked on the E.S. Club website and found some archives.  A Mrs. English owned the Shiplake affix from what I understand, and her address is given as Henley on Thames.  I actually remember seeing a river from her kennels, so that must be where we went.  It seemed a long journey then, no motorways. No doubt we did the journey in our Hillman Californian.  Unfortunately 'Freckles' (the dog) didn't ever have puppies.  She contracted Hepatitis but survived to live another few years.  We had other setters but I don't remember their names.  My parents also bred cockers and I do remember that one was out of Colinwood Wardance.  She had two lovely litters who I still have cine films of.  (I'm sure you remember cine cameras John!!!).  Speaking of cine films I have some footage at Brands of Mike  (thebike) Hailwood and Bill Ivy - I must get it all transferred to DVD so we can watch it without resorting to going up in the loft for the projector etc.  Sorry to witter on so........
Lorna

I remember the cameras Lorna I had a Standard 8 with a triple turret. Wide angle, standard and telephoto. That was the days before zoom!

We were all sad when Bill Ivy got killed on the 4 cylinder Jawa. Mr S M B Hailwood was a legend! I watched him from almost his first races right till he retired from bikes.

Slight change of subject, but I sometimes wonder about the temperament of the dogs in those days. Most I know of were impeccable. Yet there was little formal socialisation in those days. Doors were rarely closed and the dogs came and went almost at will. It was a far more natural environment in those days than now. Obviously we cannot go back to those days but maybe we could learn a lesson from them.

Best wishes, John

I agree the dogs seemed easier going.  Maybe it was the simple food we fed them on.  The Barf diet is all the rage now but that's how most dogs were fed.  The only food I remember mum buying was Spratts shapes.  They had a lot of raw bones to chew on.  As you say doors were left open more.  Also I might be wrong, but I'm sure the dogs got taken to shows whether or not they were being shown.  With no central heating they were probably kept at a lower temp within the house, so quite a few differences to now.  By the way, I don't know quite how I've ended up with labs, at least they're still gundogs!!!  I would imagine training a setter to work would be very difficult, especially in the South East, I would think they need the space of the moors or Scotland to really train well on. Enjoying your retirement............
Lorna

I'd love to run a working Setter or Pointer Lorna but as you say, we don't have the open moorland to run them. Seeing these dogs running as a brace, quartering the ground is a wonderful sight.

Do you remember the "Vim's" dog biscuits? I must have fed a ton of them over the years. Now people tell us biscuits are not good for dogs! Try telling that to my 17 year old X breed!

Did you ever have a copy of Shirley's Dog Book? I have an early copy which, in the first aid section, tells you how to set a broken leg using a pencil! These helpful hints disappeared from the later editions!

Best wishes, John