Show 2008

Grant applications received so far:

Helping with the cost of the roofing for outdoor runs - RGOA - £450 pledged
Building a special outdoor kennel and facilities for 'shy' dogs - Clarks Farm - awaiting final costs

What a Success! £3200 raised for the Essex & Suffolk kennels!



Our very first show and I think it can be safely said it was an overwhelming success.

After a worrying few days beforehand we made the decision to go ahead with the show and wasn't that just the right thing to do! There were a few showers but they certainly didn't dampen the spirits or enthusiasm of everyone there.

From the first stall holder arriving to set up their goodies to the first car arriving with greyhounds and lurchers tumbling out in excitement it was going to be a day to remember. People came from Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and even Germany!

We'd laid out Gary's garden with arenas, PA trailers, marquees, seats and tables and as many stalls as we could to entertain and tempt all our Greyhound Walkers, their families, friends and hounds!

157 dogs entered the classes and there were times when the arena was so full we had to zig-zag the dogs to get them all in. Darren Barker and Marion Hipkin had a very hard task judging the classes, but winners there were and delighted they were too!

In between the classes everyone had a chance to buy raffle tickets, have a go on the tombola, the Houndy Hoopla, the dogs tomebola, buy jewellery, collars, leads, toys and greyhound tshirts or have a dog tag engraved. The BBQ did very brisk business and the hounds were brilliantly catered for by the Galloping Greyhound Gourmet who offered fantastic hand baked foods.

As a half time special treat Gary Honeywood an his Greyhound Obedience Display Team showed how greyhounds can respond to commands! The team of 10 with dogs aged from 3 to nearly 12 did a near perfect routine much to the crowd's delight and amusement!

Castledon Greyhound Rescue, Clarks Farm Greyhound Rescue, Mildenhall RGT and Romford Greyhound Owners Assn all brought dogs from their kennels looking for homes and after being paraded before an adoring audience we're hoping at least two will have found new homes.

The finale of the day was the selection of Best Greyhound Bitch in Show which was awarded to 9 year old Spot and Best Greyhound Dog in Show which went to Alfred. Teign was awarded the Best Lucher in Show prize and a special award donated by Dave & Maggie Sansum was awarded to Spooky, a deaf white greyhound.

As the raffle was being called the heavens opened and very tired greyhounds, lurchers, children and adults headed to their cars for the jouney home.

It was then time to pack away the stalls and hand the money over to our Treasurer Ian O'Neill for counting. When the total was announced the following day everyone was open mouthed in astonishment. He'd counted £3260.84. A truly fantastic sum all of which will be granted to rehoming kennels. There's still money dribbling in and we also hope to raise a bit more from sales of the photos taken on the day.

None of this would have been possible without the support of all our dedicated Greyhound Walkers, a superb team of volunteers on the day, stall holders, judges and stewards, sponsors and of course our beautiful greyhounds and lurchers. Finally it would not have been possible at all without the guidance and generosity of Gary & Kathy Honeywood who gave up their home and garden for the day.