Happy New Year to our furry, waggy-tailed friends and to the wonderful chief treat-givers who love them so dearly.
The past year has brought both sadness and joy to our community. We pause to remember dear members Roger Carter and Mike Patrick and original members Shirley and John Broomhead, whose strength, kindness and courage have inspired us all and will never be forgotten.
We fondly remember much-loved Cavaliers Professor Dougall and Charlie Barnard, two of the original dogs from the Cavalier Talk forum over 15 years ago, along with Dylan Hughes and many other precious little souls.
Alongside these moments of loss, we’ve shared many happy times – from a wonderful Christmas Party to relaxed mini-meets at beaches, parks and favourite National Trust locations. These moments of connection mean so much and we extend heartfelt thanks to our committee, volunteers and members for your continued support, generosity and enthusiasm.
Looking ahead, 2026 brings positive new steps for dog and animal welfare, with the introduction of the Innate Health Tool alongside upcoming Animal Welfare Reforms, helping to support healthier, happier futures for our dogs. More details will follow soon.
Finally, a gentle reminder that it’s time to renew your membership for another year of fun, frolics, friendship and helpful information. We look forward to sharing another special year together.
With warmest wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your Cavaliers.
Tania Ledger
Editor
In This Issue
- Christmas Party 2025 News
- Members Paws and Tails
- A Weekend of Wagging Tales and Winning Moves
- Health Matters
- News from Cavalier Matters
- Mini Meets (Past)
- Up and Coming Events
Christmas Party 2025
Our Christmas Party was wonderfully well attended and full of festive cheer, with plenty of games, laughter and fun competitions throughout the day.
One of the highlights was the Broomhead Fancy Dress Award, held in loving memory of Shirley and John, a truly special moment that brought smiles all round. We’re sure Shirley and John would have been proud to see so many Cavaliers sporting their shimmering Arabian Night outfits and would have loved the winning outfit worn by Ernie, dressed in purple – one of the colours Shirley adored.
Santa also made a very special appearance, arriving with his famously huge sack overflowing with treats for our furry friends. It was lovely to see Betsy there with her adopted mum Melanie and we hope everyone had a truly magical time.
A Weekend of Wagging Tales and Winning Moves
By Esther Kent
What an absolutely fantastic weekend it was in Oxshott, as Winnie stepped into the dog dancing ring for her very first competition – and what a debut it turned out to be!
In the ring she listened beautifully, did everything I asked of her and most importantly, looked like she was having the time of her life. Watching her enjoy every moment was an absolute joy.
As if that wasn’t enough, Winnie also placed 7th in the Starters Fusion class, which was new for her. Once again, she rose to the challenge and delivered a lovely performance. When you consider that each routine lasts around 2 minutes and 15 seconds, with no treats or toys allowed, her focus and enthusiasm were nothing short of amazing – especially for a first competition. Simply incredible!
Not to be outdone, Remi also had a brilliant weekend. He danced his way to 2nd place in Novice Dressage and 5th in Starters performing Fusion, with confidence and flair. He was an absolute star in the ring and a joy to watch.
All in all, it was a weekend full of proud moments, happy dances and wagging tails – a wonderful reminder of why we love dog dancing so much.
Well done Winnie and Remi – what superstars!
Health Matters
Professor Clare Rusbridge has shared a positive and encouraging update from research made possible by the Cavalier Tissue Collection Scheme. For those whose Cavaliers were part of this project, it is heartening to know that their legacy is already helping to deepen understanding of syringomyelia and may lead to better outcomes for future dogs.
A recent study, carried out by researchers at the University of Copenhagen, explored why some Cavaliers with syringomyelia (SM) develop severe, difficult-to-control neuropathic pain. Using advanced techniques to study spinal cord tissue, the research identified changes in key support and immune cells that appear to drive inflammation and chronic pain.
These findings mark an important step forward in understanding the biological processes behind syringomyelia-related pain and could help guide improved treatments and pain management in the future. This research would not have been possible without the quiet generosity of owners who chose to donate their beloved dogs to science, along with the dedication of vets, researchers and fundraisers. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the Cavalier Tissue Collection Scheme, including Margaret Carter and Cavalier Matters whose work continues to make a lasting difference.
Above all, thank you to Clare Rusbridge for her tireless dedication to Cavalier health. Through research, collaboration and compassion, she and her colleagues are helping to shape a healthier future for this much-loved breed.
News from Cavalier Matters
Cavalier Matters is a registered charity dedicated to supporting the health and welfare of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported our gift shop over the Christmas period. Your kindness and generosity made a real difference.
Thanks to your support, we were able to donate much-needed funds to several rescue organisations who are facing particularly challenging times at the moment. These rescues work tirelessly to provide care, safety and medical support for dogs who need it most, and your purchases helped make that possible.
From all of us at Cavalier Matters, thank you for helping us continue this vital work and for being part of a community that truly cares.
Mini Meets (Past)
Hayling Island – October 2025
A happy group of Cavaliers enjoyed a fabulous day at the beach with wagging tails, sandy paws and plenty of splashing in the sea. While the dogs played and paddled together, owners had a wonderful time catching up, sharing stories and enjoying the sunshine.
The day was perfectly rounded off with a truly stupendous lunch, relaxed conversations, and contented, tired Cavaliers A lovely reminder of just how special these shared days are – full of friendship, laughter and Cavalier charm.
Alver Valley Country Park – September 2025
After the successful mini meet at Alver Valley Country Park in June, we arranged another event on 21 September, at the same location, taking a different route around the park. The weather was much better for walking this time, being cooler, but still bright and sunny.
Once again, the event was well supported with a good turn out of cavaliers and their owners. We all enjoyed a great walk led by Rosie, followed by coffee and cake in the café.
Up and Coming Events
Join us for a Copt Oak Weekend!
- 26th to 28th June 2026
- Location: Copt Oak Leicester
AGM and Christmas Party 2026
- 22nd November 2026
- Location: Chersey, Surrey
Please see the Events page for more information.