Who we are
The Bury Dog Club Committee and Trainers
Steve Bailey - Chairman
Steve is one of the original members of the Bury & District German Shepherd Club. He joined the Club over 35 years ago. Having owned German Shepherds all his life, he wanted to work more with the breed and get to know them inside out. After training for a few years under the instruction of Police Dog handlers, he became one of the instructors himself, and then became Chairman of the Club in the late 90s. About 15 years ago, Steve and the other committee members opened the Club up to all breeds, having realised there was a great need for outdoor training in the area for all dog handlers. Steve, with his team of dedicated instructors and great committee members who work hard to promote the club, all look forward to helping new members with their dogs for many years to come.
Karen Jones - Secretary
Karen joined the Club approximately 30 years ago with her first German Shepherd dog. She was so inspired with how her dog became a well balanced, sociable dog with the right training, that she decided to become a trainer and a committee member, which she has been doing for 25 years. Karen has taken a Pet Dogs Trainers Instructors course (PDTI) and is an accredited Kennel Club Good Citizens bronze assessor and for a short while she also trained Guide Dogs.
Lindsey Leighton - Treasurer
Lindsey joined the club in 2008 when she came to train her puppy, Harley, a Cocker Spaniel. Harley has achieved his Bronze, Silver and Gold Kennel Club Good Citizens Awards with the Club. She joined the committee in 2013 and is now the Clubs Treasurer. In 2017 Lindsey got another Cocker Spaniel, Raffles, who has also gained his Bronze, Silver and Gold Kennel Club GCDS awards. Lindsey has completed the IMDT Dog Trainer course.
Alicya Kinsey
Alicya joined the Club in July 2001 after acquiring a 5 year old rescued Labrador called Buster, who needed a lot of basic training and socialisation with other dogs. He made remarkable progress and received "Best Improved Newcomer Award" at the end of that year. He finally achieved the Silver Good Citizen Award before retiring due to arthritis. Alicya continued to attend the weekly training sessions and assisted in training other dogs. In 2008 Alicya acquired another rescued Labrador, aged 14 months called Sammy. He needed basic training and positive guidance but very quickly progressed through the training levels right up to the Gold Citizen Award. Alicya joined the Club committee, then assisted with training classes and is now a permanent trainer. Alicya has completed the IMDT Dog Trainer course.
Ged Matthews
Ged has had German Shepherds for over 30 years. He came to the Club with his second dog Buster, who was a bit of a handful. With support from the Club, Buster became a different dog. Geds third German Shepherd Jordi achieved 2nd place in the Clubs 'Most Improved Dog'. He sadly lost Jordi in 2013 and later returned with his new pup, Loki. Ged joined the committee a couple of years ago and is our 'Mr Fixit', always there to help set out the training equipment and carry out repairs.
David Leighton
David joined the club in 2008. Having never owned a dog before, he got involved with his Cocker Spaniel, Harley. He learnt so much about dogs and their training from the friendly trainers and members of the Club, so much so that he was persuaded to get a second Cocker Spaniel Raffles in 2017. He joined the committee in 2013. David is the chief tea and coffee maker at the after training refreshments.
Stuart Page
Stuart joined the club in 2020 with his dog Kenzou, a Japanese Akita Inu. Kenzou competes in the utility category at championship level dog shows. He has won first prize at Leeds, Manchester and Darlington championship shows. He came 2nd in his class at crufts 2020 and has qualifed for Crufts in March 2022. Kenzou has achieved his bronze and silver qualification and has been with the club since being a puppy.
Yolanda Page
Yolanda joined the club the same time as Stuart with Kenzou, a Japanese Akita Inu. Yolanda does the handling and training for Kenzou, she is also the show handler at championship shows. They are both members of the Japanese Akita Inc UK Club. Yolanda was reponsible for the importing of Kenzou from his breeders in The Netherlands. She is also responsible for paperwork when he competes and travels outside the UK. Yolanda and Kenzou have achieved the Kennel Club Good Citizens Bronze and Silver awards and they are currently working towards achieving Gold.
