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.

6th December 2008 Canterbury Road School

A busy time of year for Father Christmas and his elves so Homer helps out with Bill and April and opens the fete. Everyone had a great day even though April spent most of the day on her bed. 

The total amount raised for the school was £800 with stalls, games, barbeque and Father Christmas. WELL DONE and thank you for inviting us along we thoroughly enjoyed the day.

 Homer enjoying some festive fun.

Below are some newspaper articles from The Gazette and Kent Messenger.

 Click on article to enlarge.

 Click on article to enlarge

Charity Night 28th November and 5th December

All set and everything organised except one thing “The weather” Every night that week it had been a cold but clear evening. The heavens opened that day but despite the weather people came to support us but Unfortunately the meeting had to be abandoned. The evening was set for a re-run on 5th December and although it rained there was a good attendance. The South East Afghan Racing Club came along and put on a good race. The shop was open and there was “Homer” the greyhound with his friends Minnie and Suzi to welcome everyone. Many Thanks to Anne Watson for bringing them along. Sumi Girl 12 years old came along to parade, she is the track record holder amongst other titles and is owned by Tanya Stevenson from channel 4 racing.

We would like to thank the Staff and Management at the Central Park Stadium for all their help and continued support also to the Sponsors and to those who attended. The total amount raised for the evening was £2072.39       THANK YOU

Below are a few pictures of the evening ……more to follow

Shop all set up and ready            Hamper kindly donated by Peter Bailey

One of the information points          Santa sleigh loaded with presents

Minnie in her christmas outfit          Homer by the Christmas Tree

“Sumi Girl” enjoying all the attention

Homer the greyhound makes an appearance at the Central Park Stadium to help raise funds for us. He has been busy this month with “Rockin’ Robin Carter” (the commentator at the Central Park Stadium) running the 10th John Smiths mascot race in Huntingdon on 5th October where he finished mid field and raised £205 for us so Well done and Thank you from all at the Sittingbourne RGT.

Homer will be at the stadium most Saturday evenings and will also be at our CHARITY NIGHT ON FRIDAY 28TH NOVEMBER. Click here for more detail.

10TH JOHN SMITHS MASCOT RACE

Homer running the 10th John Smiths mascot race in Huntingdon on 5th October where he finished mid field and raised £205 for us so Well done and Thank you from all at the Sittingbourne RGT.

Below are some of pictures of the event.

Great Greyhound Gathering 27th September

The biggest day in the retired greyhound calendar was finally here. This year “Sittingbourne RGT” would have a presence. All branches were allowed to set up their stalls and sell their merchandise and also have a chance to nominate a dog and to give a reason why they thought their nominated greyhound should win the Retired Greyhound of the year.

We nominated Elvis because he had been in our kennels from the start, he was often overlooked because of his size but eventually a home was found for him. Never one to miss an opportunity to raise some funds we stuffed the van to capacity with mechandise and of course slotted April our retired greyhound in, who I could tell was thrilled to go as always. As you all know greyhounds are great magnets for attention and whilst we were parked at one of the services for a much needed stop we met a couple from the Brighton and Hove RGT with their greyhounds and before long Mark, Julia Bugsy and Wellington had joined us, so we were having our own gathering there in the car park. April as usual got bored and laid down, but the other greyhounds were excited at meeting each other and none of us had been to such an event before so we were looking forward to it as well.

The day started off a bit foggy but the weather forcast was good for the rest of the day and promised to be a glorious day. We arrived at the Nottingham racecourse at 7:30 am which was a miracle really as we were one of the first to arrive for once. We pitched the tent and started to unload the merchandise, the van seemed like the Tardis as the stuff just kept coming out. We were not planning on taking much back so all of what we had was to be sold that day. By 9:00 am everything was set and April had taken up her ususal position, on her bean bag and no one was going to move her this time.

We could not have wished for a better day. There was a steady stream of people through the gate and I have never seen so many greyounds in one place, all different colours, shapes and sizes but it was not just greyhounds that could enter in the shows, there were opportunities for other breeds of dog as well. There were also activities for children as well like go karting, bouncy castle farmyard pets and fairground games, there was aolso a sponsored walk around the race course, which April, Elvis and Mouse went on with Leah and Geoff. There was so much to see and do you could even have your dog washed in the pampered pooch corner.

Leah, Geoff, Elvis and Mouse arrived eager to register for the competition. Mouse was entered for one of the classes and came third winning a lovely rosette and toy. 

Elvis, unfortunately did not win the “retired greyhound of the year” competition, but to us all of the greyhounds that we have homed are winners. We had a brilliant day, and spoke to a lot of interesting people.

A BIG THANK YOU to Mark, Julia, Bugsy and Wellington. Leah, Geoff, Elvis and Mouse for their support. We all had a brilliant day and a good laugh.

THE GGG IS A DEFINATE MUST FOR 2009.

Below are some pictures of our great day in nottingham.