Claire and Spencer Lawrence with their greyhound Cash organised a Charity Race Night at The Ship Inn in Dymchurch on Friday 28th October which was a huge success and raised with the help of Bybrook & Bockhanger Community Group a total of £1057.40 for us.

A HUGE THANK YOU to the Sponsors and all involved in the evening.

Claire reported that Cash found the whole evening a bit overwhelming and so had to have a lie in on the Saturday…..Ah bless

 17th September

The event to be at in the Retired Greyhound calendar. The GGG as it is known was held at The Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, in it’s fifth year now anyone who is potty about their Greyhound then this is the event for you, it was Greyhounds, Greyhounds everywhere and what a sight to see. Despite the weather there was a good turn out. We met people from the other RGT’s around the Country and of course some familiar faces too. A big Thank You to Trevor and Wendy and also Zion for helping us on the day.

For a full detailed report on the day of who won what visit the Retired Greyhound Trust Website by clicking here.

Although the event was only one day we stayed at the Nottingham Gateway Hotel which allows dogs to stay as well. We had a little gathering of our own from Kent and we were something of an attraction in the hotel as there were about 12 greyhounds in total all doing what they do best.

Our little group entered the Fancy Dress as the Clapped out racing Squad (This refers to the Humans) all done with great humour….. We did not win but it was the taking part.

This is a definate MUST for anyone who has a greyhound as a pet. Another one for 2012.

11th September

What a fantastic day…. We arrived in plenty of time for a change and we were busy all day with people wanting to meet the greyhounds. Thank you to our volunteers who came along to help and they were Zion with owner Trevor, Honey and Gregg with the Gibbs family and Ben with Lesley. Last but not least Homer joined us for a while and was a big hit, so thank you.

This is always a great fair to attend with over 100 craft stalls, with handmade glass, ceramics and jewellery, traditional sweets and fudge to name a few. There was something for everyone including fun fair rides,arena displays, classic cars and not to forget the flyball team. The companion dog show was a great succes too. After all that loads of refreshment stands.

This is a great day out for all the family and we have booked again for 2012. Lets hope the weather will be kind to us again.

Here are some photos of the day………Enjoy.

4th September

Although the day started off with good weather by the time the fete started the heavens opened. Used to being soggy April and Hazel resigned themselves to the fact that this afternoon was going to be wet. Zion joined us with her owner Trevor who entered her into some classes in the dog show and came away with some rosettes, which was nice.

We were made to feel welcome and even though the weather was not good the village were out in force to show support for the fete. There was a wide range of sideshows, be entertained by the children’s races and tug of war and tuck into the BBQ, candy floss and homemade cakes. The fete was once again generously sponsored by Lipscomb Car Centres

KMFM’s Si Kennett opened the fete.

The Grand Raffle had a first prize of £100 and second prize of a mountian bike dontated by Howfield Manor Hotel.

The afternoon ended with the duck race, this year sponsored by Joseph Newman Letting Agents.

We had good interest in the greyhounds and met some interesting people. And by 5pm the sun came out and dried us all out. That’s what you call Sods Law.

August 2011

A great day out for all the family. The Kent Miners Festival in partnership with Fayre on the Square in Aylesham village centre was a first for Sittingbourne RGT and the weather was great, which was slightly unexpected as it was a Bank Holiday.

There were Brass Bands & Stage acts, Fair Ground Rides, Food Stalls Beer Tent,Stunt Cycle show. It is definately a great day, we had lots of visitors to our stand and even saw some familar faces such a Bugsy with his new playmate Watson a bassett puppy who was getting as much attention as the greyhounds. He did keep tripping over his enormous ears though.

We were so busy that I forgot to take a many photos of the day as I usually do, so here are a few.

Ann Parsons held an open day on 13th August to raise funds for The Sittingbourne RGT and it was a huge success. With the help of Jet and friends they raised £350 so a BIG THANK YOU and well done from all of us.

Sunday 14th August

For once we were actually on time. This was our first year at the show and we had a great day. The usual suspects were there to lend a hand so a big thank you to Lesley (our resident celeb) and Ben, The Gibbs family with Honey and Greg also Wendy and Trevor with Zion and not forgetting Homer also made an appearance.

The Faversham Charity Car Show was started in 2008 and in the first two years it raised over £14,000 for Help for Heroes and this year they had over 500 show cars, bikes, military vehicles, scooters and 250+ boot fair stalls to the show.
There were the Cinque Port Lindy Hoppers – a 1930s/1940s dance troupe, live music, children’s fun fair and more. Over the three years the total amount raised for Help The Heros has been £24,000 and we were glad that we were part of the day. We met some great people and if it is held again in 2012 is well worth a visit.

Here are some photos of the day.

25th & 26th June

This was our third year at the Preston Rally and it was a scorcher. The two day event included the their largest ever Fun Fair, Steam Engines.  There were classic vintage cars, motor cycles and lorries, displays and demonstrations, craft stalls you name it and it was there. They even had ferret racing. Something for everyone and on Saturday entertainment in the evening.

Although we were not in the main stall area people managed to find us and we were busy. Some old faces and new and I am talking abut the dogs now. A big thank you to our volunteers who came along to help, The Gibbs family, Barrie Buringham who came along with his three greyhounds,  and our two new volunteers Trevor & Wendy who brought along Zion who was somewhat facinated by the horses and a bell. Zion who is new to this soon settled in and with old hands like April, Hazel, Honey and Greg who were happy to lounge around. Leah came along with Rollo, sporting his “I need a home” jacket and was not short of attention either. A handsome fella and quite amused at all the new sights and sounds that were going on around him.

This event is a great day out for all the family and well worth considering for 2012.

Thank you to Barrie for sending in his photos of the day and Trevor who was our resident photographer for our two days at the Show.

Enjoy the photos………………………………..

Ham Street Country Show 4th and 5th June

It was sun hats and sun screen on the Saturday and wellies and macs on the Sunday but we had a great time. Thanks to everyone who came along to support us. It was good to see some new faces as well. Trevor and Wendy Sparkes with Zion joined us for both days. Zion was great she fitted right in with the other greyhounds and was not shy about meeting people.

Saturday was hot and that certainly encouraged the people out. There was so much to see and do at the show, from the British Lawnmower Racing Grand Prix to 1940s wartime music and dance. Even in the evening there were live bands to entertain.

Sunday was drizzling all day and guess what……the only one who did not get wet was April, she hogged Honey’s bed all day so whilst the other greyhounds were meeting and greeting April kipped. Leah who took some great photos but managed to get her camera caught up in her hair……How I don’t know.

We had lots of interest over the two days ……….couldn’t miss us really with the two tents and eight greyhounds.

A great weekend and if you are looking for somewhere to go next June this event certainly is a must.

Below are some phots of our weekend…..enjoy

Monday 30th May – Bank Holiday

For the third year running we were invited to attend the Duck Race at Loose and for the third year running the weather was great.

Hundreds of people turned out for this yearly event The world famous Loose Duck Race which took  place along the Loose Stream.

All the usual favourites were be found in Brooks Field, including the tea tent with home made cakes, pastries and cream teas, the plant stall (with a wider selection of plants and a professional garden designer on hand to give planting advice), gifts including Loosey Duck mugs and notelets, the Black Sheep of Loose mugs and notelets, duck quackers and lots of other duck related goodies, the coconut shy, face painting and children’s games.

Our stand was buzzing with people coming up wanting to see the greyhounds and also some old friends such as Chloe and Jay who were homed not so long ago and Shadow another of our ex residents. The usual suspects were there April, Hazel and Ben all eager to meet and greet.

A Thank You to Molly Proctor who arranged for us to be there and for her help and Millie’s during the day by selling plants to help us raise funds.

We hope to be back next year for another lovely day.

Below are some of the photos of the day…..enjoy