11TH JOHN SMITHS MASCOT RACE

OCTOBER 2009

Report By Rockin Robin Carter

The Mascot Grand National at Huntingdon racecourse, near Peterborough was first ran in October 1998 where is was won by Beau Brummie Bulldog for Birmingham Football Club, it only had 17 entries, but now eleven years on its around on average 70 Mascots every year from far and wide, mascots from Football clubs, Local charities and various sport teams from around the country,even Pudseys Bear from Children in Need has a go, they all come to have a bit of fun and a great day out to raise money for there various charities.

The race is run up the home straight of the track in front of the main grandstand, it consist of jumping over six purpose built hurdles and just over one furlong.

It was a beautiful warm summers day, we all congregated at the clubhouse for 11.30am so we could get changed into our various outfits in plenty of time for the start of the race which was at 1pm, first we had a walk around the parade ring, so people could take photographs of all the contenders, this year there were 68 hopeful mascots.

The race was won by The Stag running for Huntingdon Rugby Club with a close second Wolfie from Worcester Basket Ball Club and third place was Howie The Hornet from Horsham Football Club, the big favourite and twice a winner Wacky Macky Bear from Saffron Waldon finshed well down the field, Homer started of well and ran out of steam near the end and finished about 50th, a few places better than last year.

A great day was had by all and I’m sure we will all be back again next year

£100 sponsor money for the RGT - A big THANK YOU Robin from all of us for your continued support.

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

Click on the photo to view a larger image on another page.

GREAT GREYHOUND GATHERING 2009

A FANTASTIC DAY

With the van packed and April too we set off for Nottingham at 2:30pm on the Friday. We planned to stay a couple of days. Five and a half hours later we arrived, the traffic was a nightmare so we were glad to see the hotel.

We had booked at the NOTTINGHAM GATEWAY HOTEL who are dog friendly and would highly recommend it. The room was superb only £49.00 per night and that included a breakfast and no extra charge for April who was happy just to have her bed and a tin of sardines for tea. As she doesn’t do stairs she went in the glass elevator……….you could see her claws grip the carpet as it moved up but after a couple of goes she got used to it.

It was an early start on the Saturday, the race course was about 15 minutes from the hotel and we had to be set up by 9:00 am. For once we were one of the first to arrive. We picked our pitch and set up. Gradually the other RGTs started to arrive. It was a bit like camping and having your tent all set up and then watching the others do theirs. The weather was superb for our second year there………… it was going to be a great day with a feeling of taking part in something great. We met some fantastic people and of course loads and loads of greyhounds.

There were all sorts of stalls including one that made outfits for greyhounds to having your pooch pampered, we booked in April for her pamper and it looked like she enjoyed it. By the end of it she looked like a big fluff ball but smelt lovely which was a bonus because if it was going to take five hours going back she would be our mobile air freshner!  You could have your dog photographed, get a new fancy collar, buy almost anything with a greyhound on it including christmas cards and OUR 2010 CALENDAR, which can be ordered via our website. People picniced  and watched the dog show. It was a long day but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, with some familar faces there too. We would like to thank Anne Watson, Belinda and Phil Gibbs together with Honey and Greg who all came along to help. It was Greg’s biggest event I think and he did very well, meeting and greeting other greyhounds, he certailnly has progressed from the shy dog that we knew in the kennel. Honey and April have of course seen it all before and settled in to a day of lounging on the bed.

THIS IS A MUST FOR ANY GREYHOUND OWNER AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Below are some photos of our great day at THE GREAT GREYHOUND GATHERING 2009……..Enjoy

Click on the photo to view a larger image in another window

Challock Goose Fair 13th September

For the second year running we attended the Challock Goose Fair and it was another successfull day. Along to help us were Ben, April and newcomer Hazel who took it all in her stride. Honey and Greg who again was a newcomer to the events but Honey showed him what to do and he enjoyed all the attention. Once a very shy lad in the kennel he has certainly come out of his shell now meeting and greeting the public. Joining us again for the day were old hands Bugsy and our would be greyhound Wellington with Angel, Mickey and April’s boyfriend Swifty.

Laura, one of our ex residents came to visit and it was nice to see how she had settled in and looked in tip top condition.

The day started off a bit cloudy but that did not deter anyone from coming along to this very popular event and it is growing every year. There were craft stalls, fair rides, classic car and steam exhibitions, flyball, face painting, refreshments and arena events all day. Something for all the family

Our small gathering of greyhounds certainly generated a lot of interest and we gave out a lot of information and I am pleased to report that we have homed a couple of our residents since the Goose Fair. Events such as these are important as they give people the opportunity to see a greyhound maybe for the first time up close and many are surprised that they are so placid.  

A big thank you to all the volunteers that came along to help. We all had a great day and it was well worth all the effort. This event is a great day out for all the family and highly recommended.

Below are some pictures of our great day, click on the picture to view in another page:-

        Bugsy, Mickey and Swifty                               Laura getting some fuss

     New Comers Greg and Hazel looking a bit bewildered but taking it all in.

Click on the photo to view in another page:-

Dogs Trust Fun Day 9th August

The sun shone for our day at the Dogs Trust Fun day in Chestfield. It was a brilliant day, the activities included Arts and Crafts, Animal Charity stands, Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, dog obsticle courses, Agility, the ever popular flyball and Drug Detection Dogs, pet portraits and loads more , you could even get you dog microchipped. Something for everyone. We met some familiar faces like Jay Jay, Roccoe and Luke who all stopped by to say hello. Julie and Mark together with Bugsy and Wellington who won “Cutest Couple” ah bless and won a nice doggy hamper. Honey with Belinda, Melissa and Phil, who was sporting his new “cricket hat” and I must say was getting into his stride by lunchtime and giving out loads of information. Angel with Keith, Jeanette and Alanah came along to help as well so a big thank you to all and to the Dogs Trust for inviting us along it was a great day and one that we would recommend attending next year.

Below are some pictures of our day at The Dogs Trust.

Click on the pictures to view larger image on another page.

Preston Rally 27th and 28th June

This was our first year at the Preston Rally and it was a great success. It was to be an early start on the Saturday morning, pitching the tent and getting ready.  The rally offered a blend of steam, classic vehicles and good old fashioned fun. Parades of commercial and military vehicles, tractors and agricultural vehicles with beagle and gun dog displays. You could try your hand at clay pigeon shooting, take a helecopter ride or look around the trade stands. The Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway provided a special feature this year with a demonstration track, specially laid by volunteers.

Other displays and activities included having a go at steering a traction engine or steam roller in the arena, taking a trailer ride with heavy horses pulling you along or miniture railway rides. Saturday evening was rounded off by live music in the beer tent.

We had a lot of interest in the greyhounds and would like to thank Anne with Minnie, Mickey and Swifty, Mark and Julie with Bugsy and Wellington and all of those who came along to support us. This is a definate yes for 2010 so put it in your diary. Brilliant weekend and below are some more photos of the weekend.

Anne talking to some visitors       April relaxing in the van

about the greyhounds

Bugsy and Wellington taking it all in their stride.

Cody and our other helpers Mickey, Minnie and Swifty

Lots of interest and one of our many visitors stopping to say hello

Our little helpers

Still busy and Tiger has come to visit too

Here are some more pictures of the event. Click on the picture to view larger image on another page.

Below are some photos taken of the greyhounds by Sarah Harley aged 13

A GREAT WEEKEND………………………

It’s that time of year again and some of the Kent Suzuki Owners Club biked their way to the kennels on 7th June. Bringing loads of bags of food for the retired greyhounds and donations also collected was £41.34

Lindsay had to do a special food run herself for biscuits and cake especially as Graham was going to be there as well. A bit partial to these is our Graham, too many and he’ll never be able to fit into his biking leathers!

A few hours were spent taking the retired greyhounds for a strole, drinking tea and coffee, chatting about life in general and looking at the photos from the Charity Night, a good afternoon was had by all.

A BIG THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US AT THE RGT FOR YOUR GENEROSITY

The Duck Race at Loose 25th May

The day started cloudy and raining, which was really the right sort of weather for a Bank Holiday! Underterred we picked our spot in the field and put both of our tents up. April seemed resigned to the fact that she might possibly get wet. By about 11:00 am the sun came out and so did the people, we had a brilliant time and we would like to thank Mrs Molly Proctor for inviting us along, below are some of the pictures of our day.

Where the Duck Race takes place.

All set up with two tents this time. Quite impressive

Ann with Minnie and Swifty meeting some old friends Wellington and Bugsy

Now the sun had come out we were starting to get busy

Getting lots of interest and Bugsy decides to take it easy

Wellington dozing off, it’s all too much for him. April on the other hand sampling the ice cream brrrrrrrr

Getting busier, April made some new friends ahhhhhhhh

You could not have wished for a better day.

I think that’s my one, or maybe not

Now that’s a real one!

Headcorn Hog Roast Fair

4th May

The day started a bit dull weather wise but undeterred we set up our tent and April took up her position on her bed. We were soon joined by the Gibbs family which included Honey and this time April was not going to move and let Honey steal her bed. As the day went on Evie joined us with David and Doreen. We had lots of interest and gave out a lot of information and by the afternoon we had quite a crowd around our tent.

There was a dog show in the afternoon and Honey, Evie and April were entered. April was not happy because she had to move from her bed but she came away with a rosette for 2nd place for the prettiest bitch. She shared her winning prize of chews and bones with Honey and Evie.

There were lots of stalls at the fair, craft stalls, rides for the children, face painting, beer tent and not to mention the hog roast, everyone had a great time. This is a definate for next year.

Below are some pictures of the day.

3RD ANNIVERSARY CHARITY NIGHT FRIDAY 8TH MAY

Once again the evening was a great success. Nearly 1000 people came along to support us and the atmosphere in the stadium was brilliant. The total amount raised for the evening was £3513.12

There was a handful of retired greyhounds and their owners parading before each race. We would like to thank Ann Watson for organising this and also everyone who took part in the parades.

Some of the other highlights of the evening were the Afghans from the South East Afghan Racing Club who came along once again to put on for the first time in the UK we believe, an eight dog Afghan hound race, which was won by “Morse” who set a new track record. Many thanks to the club for putting on such an entertaining race.

The fun race was brillant to watch, six volunteers not knowing until the night what they were going to be doing…………Riding Emus around the track. Here is the fun race:

Nearly five months from conception to the actual race. Many thanks to all the participants they certainly put on a great show and to Robin Carter for the commentary, Samantha Witt for being a great “Bunny Girl” and  Simon Tester who was the Hare also a big thank you to Cara Wilson for being “Homer” the greyhound.

We would like to thank the track for their continued support, Lesley in the shop and Jeff for doing the raffle and to everyone who helped to make the evening a success and one to be talked about for months to come.

Below are some pictures of the evening …………………….enjoy

21st December 2008

Homer hands out presents to the younger diners in the Eurosuite restaurant with the help of Restaurant Manager Sam.

Cara Wilson has raised £457.96 by dressing up as Homer and collecting donations from around the Stadium this year, many thanks to Cara and everyone who donated.