Dates for your Diary

The Southern Golden Retriever Society Charity Fun Day is on Sunday 28th May 2017 at Capel Village Hall, Five Oak Green, Tonbridge. TN12 6RD

Previous Fun Days

Southern Golden Retriever Society Fun Day - May 2016

The Southern Golden Retriever Rescue held their annual Fun Day at the end of May. We were very lucky with the weather, with the sun shining but a cooling breeze, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

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Rescue owners and their dogs were invited, and 35 took part in the Rescue Parade, which as usual proved popular and brought an occassional lump to the throat! Many of the rescue dogs also entered the Fun Classes and games and proudly walked around sporting the rosettes they had won. Unfortunately two people who had intended to join us were held up in bad traffic and didn't make it in time, which was a great shame.
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The Holly Trophy, presented by the Dyer family for the oldest dog present on the day, was awarded to Marion and Adrian Palmer's Alice who is 13 year's old.

This is also the day that Pat and Peter Marchant retired from Rescue, having given over 35 years of dedicated service. For many years they ran their 'Pick a Straw' and other games for the children and unfortunately Pat was unable to be present this time as one of their dogs was ill. The Rescue Co-ordinators and Trustees had clubbed together and Peter was presented with a yellow rose bush and a cheque. We wish them all the best in their retirement.
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Mrs Brenda Lowe

We were very sorry to learn of the death on 20th September of the founder of Rescue, Mrs Brenda Lowe.  A service of Thanksgiving was held on 14th October at Brenchley Church, which was well attended by very many of her friends from far and wide.

Although Brenda had her first golden when she was in her late teens,  Sandy stayed with her parents when she married Charles.  In 1963 they bought a puppy of their own - Sutton Rudy whom they worked and showed, eventually making him up into a Champion.  They had become hooked on showing and took out the Davern affix when they started breeding.
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Brenda became a successful and respected breeder, with many Champions to her name, and had a big influence on the breed, always happy to give advice and encouragement to newcomers.  She was keen to maintain the golden’s delightful, happy personality and also its working ability.  Brenda was a respected Judge at Championship level, both at home and abroad, including Crufts in 1990.  She also served on the Committee of the Golden Retriever Club and was the Breed Correspondent for Dog World for several years

In 1977 Brenda helped to found the Southern Golden Retriever Society and served on its Committee for many years.  She held one of the Society’s first Open Days at her home, and these later became the very successful annual Fun Days, which continue to this day.
Brenda realized in the 1970s that many goldens, for all sorts of reasons, needed to be found new homes, and in 1979 she persuaded the Southern’s Committee to form a Welfare & Rescue Scheme.  In 2003 this became the Registered Charity known as Southern Golden Retriever Rescue, although by this time Brenda had retired from active involvement.  Since it began Rescue has found new loving homes for well over 3000 of the less fortunate members of the breed, so thank you Brenda from all of them.

Brenda’s contribution to the world of Golden Retrievers has been considerable and wide-ranging.  She will certainly be missed in many ways, but most of all as our friend.