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It all began when my parents bought an English Setter puppy from Jack and Doreen Bowen (Chelmset) in 1976 before I was born. 'Purdey' and I grow up together, and yes, there are photos of me learning to walk holding on to her, and us fast asleep together, but they won't be appearing on here!

When she died in 1990 my mother decided she wanted to have two setters this time, I had decided, for some unknown reason, I wanted to show them. 'Minty' arrived from Sue Carter, she wasn't show quality, and hated it with a passion, although I learnt the basics with her. 'Jessica' joined us at 6 months and she was shown with minor success. She wasn't completely keen on showing but was very well bred by Mrs Sawtell.  Jessica had one litter with 2 puppies shown, again with moderate success. Several generations were bred with increasing amounts of success but I still felt I wasn't getting the quality or type I ideally wanted - they weren't keen on showing either!

 Yeo Magic Moments at Wandsfell - Jessica
(Sh Ch Dancing Partner of Yeo ex Yeo Sheer Magic)

I had always been drawn to the pictures of Sh Ch Hurwyn Paper Doll and her daughters, as well as the great Suntop dogs. Benched not far from me at shows was Christine Normansell whose dogs appealed being based on the Hurwyn /Suntop lines, they were also great characters who always showed well. I approached Christine for a puppy, she offered me pick of a repeat mating of Larrenie Codebreaker and Larrenie Honey Bunch. This had produced 2 successful litters previously, and in 1997 I collected Evie from Scotland. She has proven to be a real character, fantastic to live with as well as an excellent show dog, becoming a champion in 2000.

Evie had three litters. Her first two were by Larrenie Bergamot. From the first litter I kept Murray ( W All Eyes On Me) who won well as a youngster, including 2 best Puppy at champ shows, BP at MESS open Show and Junior dog at Crufts. He then took a long time to mature and decided showing was not from him. I also kept his sister, she disliked showing and unfortunately lost her puppies the only time she got into whelp. From the second litter Wandsfell It wasn't me at Mirrlees has been lightly shown by Vera Lyons but has gained his stud book number. From Evie's  third litter by Sh Ch Daraquist Leading Recruit I kept Bridget (W Leading Me On) and her brother  W Leading Me Astray at Daraquist went to live with their dad. Sidney has sired the young winning dog Daraquist Down Under and Bridget had puppies in November 2007 by Sh Ch Mariglen Pentgsson's Legacy, a bitch, Duffy (W Tiswas) will be shown in 2008.

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