1971 was a good year in many respects, an optimistic Britain joined the Common Market, Bangladesh became a nation and James Irwin, the American Astronaut, rode the lunar roving module on the moon. Whilst back here on Terra Firma; and more specifically the Midland Hotel, Leicester, men and women of vision were creating what was to become the National Gundog Association.

Many of these early gundog enthusiasts who were household names in the dog game are sadly are no longer with us, but their spirits live on in our constitution and are remembered in our Roll of Honour.

The meeting had been precipitated by the Kennel Club who were being inundated with requests for Championship Show status from many canine clubs in all six groups. It was not practical to grant all clubs Championship status and therefore a practical solution had to be found. Group shows were seen as the practical way forward. Many group shows opted to be run by individual committee members. Our organisation favoured an Association of Gundog Clubs where each club would have the opportunity to host the Championship show.

The late Barry Rhodes and Nev Perkins were Chairman and Secretary respectively of the Yorkshire Gundog Club, who was the main advocate for forming an Association. The proposition on the table was quite simply "That interested Gundog Clubs might wish to form a National Gundog Society with a view to obtaining Championship Show status for the Group".

Mr Geoffrey Farrand, an active member of the KC General Committee was there as an independent advisor, but gave what he considered was the Kennel Club's view on what should be done and how best it should be approached. Eight Clubs were represented at the meeting. Yorkshire Gundog Club, Leicestershire Gundog Society, Northern Counties Gundog Club, Windsor Gundog Society, South of England Gundog Club, Gundog Society of Wales, Goyt Valley Gundog Society and the Merseyside Gundog Club.

Mr Farrand would accept the first Chairmanship and Nev Perkins the first Secretaryship of the proposed "National Gundog Association".

The constitution, which really gives life to any Club came later and has remained more or less the same to this present day.

• To hold Gundog Shows for those breeds in the Gundog Group.
• To encourage and promote discussion groups in matters concerning Gundogs common to all Clubs and Societies.
• To locate the Associations activities in various parts of the Country subject to the availability and viability of venues.

Shortly afterwards, having received registration and permission to hold the first Championship Show. The 'National Gundog Association' was the agreed title and we were on our way.

The eminent and much respected Irish Setter breeder/exhibitor and top Gundog Judge Mr L C James (Wendover) was to become its first President. Mr Tom Craggs was elected to the position of Treasurer, an accountant from Middlesborough, he was highly qualified to manage the financial affairs of the Association and would do so for the next 17 years.