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As quoted from Robert Hill and Mike Wilson’s book : An Illustrated History of the Breed;
“ The Ashgate Kennel of Sue and Andrew Thomson is the third most successful kennels after
Mrs Pacey (Wolvey ) and Miss Cook (Famecheck )
At the time of writing according to Hill and Wilson, 32 dogs with Ashgate in their name have gained their UK title
Andrew who unfortunately died in 2004, had been successful with other breeds, Dobermans; Boxers and Smooth Fox Terriers prior to his marriage with Sue in 1966
The Ashgate affix comes from the name of Sue’s family home in Chesterfield .
Selecting a breed on which to concentrate would be difficult enough given this sort of background in dogs, but Sue’s love for American Cockers, complicated the matter even further.
However, along with other supporters of this breed of Spaniel, Sue encountered hereditary eye problems which proved to be heartbreaking. West Highlands became the mainstay of the kennel.
Boxers were not completely forgotten, however, and there always has been one in the kennel.
[** note from the webmaster : Ch Ashgate Able Seaman being bred by the Thomsons]
Ashgate in common with many other kennels began with Famecheck stock, but did not quite get the results they were after at first. A bitch was brought in from the Tasman kennel ; Tasman Elation of Ashgate.”
In 2007 Sue joined forces with Jacky Ash – Hillcloud Westies when she invited her and her family to live with her at Ashgate. Jacky bought her first Westie from Sue in 1992 having previously shown Sussex Spaniels. It was not long before she was calling on Sue again but this time with a view to having a show bitch. Ashgate Coquette at Oakmann started Jacky showing again. Ill-health prevented Jacky from expanding her Westie kennel but not before Hillcloud Polestar (Sire: Ch Ashgate Sinclair) was shown at Crufts 2000. Having recovered sufficiently from her back injury in 2007, Jacky and Sue are now working together from Ashgate in Somerset with their dogs. They can be found at most Championship shows with their team
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