History

In 1974 ( as a very young child ) my family moved from Formby in Merseyside to West Linton in Scotland. In the spring of the following year my dream came true when I was allowed to have a dog. It took much deliberation, weighing up the pros and cons of several breeds before finally settling on a Cocker Spaniel.

I discovered there just happened to be a breeder who lived in the village, Margaret Struthers. Her stud dog Westdyke Welcome Ring had sired a litter to a pet bitch locally "Bonnie Silver Charm" who went back to Weirdene and Goldenfields breeding. Registered Kandy Pentland Queen, she became my companion and friend for the next 13 years.

During this time I started helping out at Margaret's kennels and the slow process of learning how to trim! It was towards the end of this period that I came upon a litter by SH CH Lochranza Like Your Style  ex Honey Bunch of Daydawn with the most enchanting puppy: Daydawn Drambuie. He became my first show dog (Kandy didn't quite make the grade and was only shown a couple of times) and did quite well even qualifying for Crufts. He eventually went to Norway but not before siring some litters .

A 6 month golden bitch came to live with me from the Lynwater kennel (by Drambuie out of Lynwater Copperglow) who I registered as Firline Red Amber. While I was at Lynwater I noticed a lovely steel blue bitch, but she wasn't for sale (bare with me). Amber went down to visit Poacher's Moon, who decided he didn't fancy this crabby twit who screeched when ever he went near her. As a last resort Poppy Becker suggested the old man "he wouldn't be put off by her antics". I had always been fascinated by old pedigrees and year books and here in front of me was a pedigree with a difference. Broomleaf Best News was to save the day, the son of 2 Champions .

From that litter came The News Editor who did quite well as a puppy. It was at this time that friends encouraged me to register an Affix. Sue and Phil Young who had kindly whelped Amber and raised the pups (due to my work commitments) helped with some suggestions. But it was whilst watching TV one night when the chat line adverts came on that CHATAWAY was thought of. Apparently this was deemed to be quite appropriate for some reason! Luckily the affix came through in time to add to "Bobby" as he won 2 CC's and several reserve CC's in junior. In fact he only won 1 CC as Chataway the News Editor but my first owner bred SH CH

When the Bobby was about 10 weeks I had moved to Lynwater to help out for 2 weeks until Elizabeth's new kennel maid arrived. She did arrive but I ended up staying for about 10 years. I had many happy times at Lynwater, that previously mentioned steel blue bitch, became SH CH Lynwater Forget-me-not. A wonderful day at The Cocker Club getting SH CH Lynwater Little Owl's first CC and BIS. All the fun with that mental orange and white SH CH Lynwater Dawn Shimmer the highlight being Crufts 1994 with BOB and the Group.

During that time several other Cockers carrying both the Lynwater and Chataway affix also won CC's and/or reserve CC's. I also had a SH CH  Hungarian Vizsla and bred a CH Kerry Blue Terrier both owned in partnership with friends. I also won 3 CC's with Elizabeth's Pointer.