Training

General Information

We are pleased to announce another year of full summer training season has been planned for 2026. All training sessions are on Thursday evenings. 

Training evenings are normally at Blackwater Farm Equestrian Centre, Nowhere Lane, Sparham, Norwich NR9 5PH.

One evening is specifically allocated to water work and held at Runhall Mill Fishing Lake.

Directions for both training grounds can be obtained from the maps provided below.

Fees

Training Fees for 2026 will be £80.  

This includes 8 training evening sessions and the entry fee and your buffet lunch on the Finals Day. 

Enrolment and Training Dates 2026

All training evenings start at 19:00 and continue until dusk. Please try to arrive in time to complete any administration or purchases before assembling at 19:00. This will enable classes to disperse promptly to their training areas after any notices or announcements have been made.

Enrolment Evening: Thursday 7th May 2026 from 19:00

Equipment

Beginners will need a slip lead and a whistle. Your trainer will advise you about any additional items of equipment. The club has sourced a range of good quality equipment which is available at very competitive prices from the 'mobile shop' at the Blackwater ground on training evenings.

Please come with appropriate clothing and footwear for working 'in the field'. Insect repellent is recommended. In hot weather make sure you have water and bowl for your dog.

Directions: Main Training Ground at Blackwater Equestrian Centre

Click on the blue marker to get your personal directions. Clicking on the marker will take you from this website to Google Maps.

View MNGC Training Ground in a larger map

Directions: Water training area at Runhall Mill Lake

Click on the red marker to get your personal directions. Clicking on the marker will take you from this website to Google Maps.

View MNGC Water Training in a larger map

The address is Mill Lane Lake, Black Horse Road, Runhall, Norwich NR9 4DP

Trainers

Retrievers Lead Trainers - Nick Barker/Simon Wells 

Spaniels Lead Trainer - Richard Reeve

General Rules

1. Our aim is to equip the trainee handler to train their dog and is entirely focussed on producing a working gundog. It is unlikely that you or your dog will progress without 'homework' between training sessions. Inevitably problems will be encountered, please discuss them with your trainer at the earliest opportunity. Don't attempt to force something that isn't going well and build up frustration and perhaps resentment in you - or your dog. Similarly don't attempt the next stage of training before early stages have been properly mastered. Trainers will look to see progress in all class members but understand different levels will be achieved at different rates.
2. Be guided by the experience and knowledge of the trainers.
3. Noisy (particularly whining), aggressive or disruptive dogs will be withdrawn from training.
4. Only one dog per handler in each class. Remember this is a class not complete one to one training and you will learn from the mistakes and triumphs of your class-mates.
5. Clean up after your dog. Do not leave wrapped waste on the training ground.
6. If you feel you and your dog are not benefitting from the training evenings approach your trainer with specific points and attempt to resolve any problems. If this fails to achieve a satisfactory result please contact any of the Club Officers or Committee Members present at training evenings as soon as possible. Alternatively use the contact facilities of the website.
7. Welfare of dogs. Make sure any dogs left in vehicles are secure and cannot overheat. Check your dog for grass seeds. Have water available (there are standpipes on the ground at Blackwater). Harsh treatment of dogs will not be tolerated.