Victoria Ashby & Denise Pitts
Tele : 01269 823985
No phone calls after 10.30 pm please
Email : widgerwoodlabs@hotmail.com or widgerwoodlabs@btinternet.com
Labradors have been in my life for many years, my 1st was a yellow bitch called wonkey ( such a strange name I hear you say ) I was only three and I couldn't say her name correctly.I showed her at exemption shows until I was old enough to show her properly and became a junior handler, she was a terrific dog and we went everywhere together even school trips river swimming, on my parents farm or if I went out on my horse she was always there.
I lost her at the grand age of 14, I have had many Labradors since, all are unique in their own way.
My teenage years were surrounded by animals, my father bred his own Labradors mainly for working unless I got my hands on them first.
Georgia who is my foundation bitch was purchased from Ronwein Phillips ( Sheenaron Labradors ) in 1997 she is an extrovert very loving and likes to think she rules the roost.
In 1999 I registered the Widgerwood affix with the kennel club so I could start showing under the Widgerwood affix.
In 1998 I purchased a lovely yellow bitch Gabby ( Trendlewood You're Gorgeous) from Fiona & Derek Braddon ( Trendlewood Labradors ) . Gabby was shown by my daughter Elizabeth who also enjoyed showing all my dogs and went on to become one of the top junior handlers in the South West. Gabby now has new duties outside the show ring helping Elizabeth to raise her son Riley, but she is still owned by the widgerwood kennels.
In 2001 the Widgerwood affix was re-registered as a joint affix to include Denise who has always had Basset hounds, we use to show our dogs and travel to many shows together.
It seemed natural that as we were both going through divorces, both having dogs that we couldn't part with that we rented a property together. We rented a house in Somerset and after 18 months we were joined by a friend from the dog show world and it was decided that we would buy a house together, so we look at property and found a stunning house in Wales.
We lived in a beautiful house on the top of a mountain with five acres to wander around in and we have access to over 200000 square acres of the Brecon beacons for which we have grazing rights for our animals. We had our own stream and a very large pond and plenty of space for chickens,ducks, sheep and pigs.
We have spread our wings in lots of different ways after moving here, we now own our own sheep and have had our first season of lambing, we have raised our own pigs and chicks and our free range eggs are in constant demand, so I think its fair to say that we are living the good life.
In 2004 we finally achieved our ambition of owning a rottweiler, a breed we have admired but until moving to Wales have not had the opportunity to own. I visited Crufts in that year and met Derek & Penny Hopgood (ST Lythans Rottweilers ) who introduced me to a gorgeous young man called Maori, Maori ( St Lythans Claim to Fame ) has eyes to die for and there was an instant chemistry between us.
My first Gabby enjoying herself in one of our streams
Our house and some of the gardens
Me in the gardens with a couple of the girls
We are based near Swansea, Wales having moved from Somerset
We are a show kennel only:
Our sheep were special to us they were so friendly,they thought they were dogs too, they carried our brand of a paw print
The farm was sold and having being bought by four of us, it should have be split four ways, we found ourselves looking for another project, we found ourselves a lovely bungalow which needed repairs and major updating,firstly, we set about the kennels for the dogs, with nice cosy kennels and lovely runs, and we invested in a dog loo, a must with our lot. The bungalow we have been updating gradually, 1st new windows, a new kitchen, luckily we both enjoy a challenge , we decided to knock through a very small pink cloakroom, into the large bathroom and have just invested in a lovely corner suite, a new ceiling is next on the list, then all new tiles.
We are replacing the roof at the moment, which has been great fun, as we have been climbing up onto the scaffolding and taking lovely pictures of the land and views around the bungalow.We have tried lots of new jobs, like tiling laying carpets, knocking down walls, designing kennels, laying blocks, rendering walls, all of which neither of us have ever tried before. We have just aquired land at the back of us 2 1/2 acres, for the dogs to run free, and this gives us free walking up onto the moorland........The dogs are now very happy in their new heated kennels and being able to ramble over the fields to their hearts content.
These are the views around the bungalow, pictures we have taken from our climbing escapades.
This has been a unique experience, after renewing the inside of the bungalow,only the bathroom to finish off,we are on the last stretch only finishing the roof , then painting the outside then the gravel down for the front drive
Coming from Devon/Somerset I wouldn't have ever thought that we would settle or be accepted in Wales, but, there are three things I think of for Wales, the National Anthem, the Black mountains, and the very friendly people.
PICTURES OF BLAENBERACH OUR FIRST FARM :
This house and farm was quite rundown when we first saw it, but the views from every window was breathtaking,we all worked so hard, and made this into the beautiful house at the top of the mountain. We were known as the three degree.
Views from our kitchen window out over the pond and fields which the dogs ran out over every day
Visitors wanting to come in
The before pictures of the bungalow, the scaffolding up all around and the new roof is nearly complete.We have had great fun watching the new roof go on, and being able to take pictures of our land from the roof top. I think the dogs have enjoyed the company of the workmen as well......
Our new babies have arrived. Very tame, they love the dogs, they are keeping us busy bottle feeding, this is them trying the field for the first time
Vicky in the gardens taking the lambs up the field they are very playful and do everything together....
We have now named them.............Honey Duncan Dora They stay out in the field after the dogs have had their runaround.
Widgerwood Labradors
