2007 Support Group Archive

The Retired Greyhound Trust Medway Greyhound Support Group

For all new, old or potential greyhound owners there is a support group who meet on the first Sunday of every month at 10.30am outside the Visitors Centre at Riverside Country Park, Lower Rainham Road, Rainham, Kent.
It is being run by John Homer and you can visit his website to get more information and see some pictures of the day by clicking here, looking below or you can contact John on 01634 403914 or e-mail him on rgtmedwaysupport@aol.com
Their aim is to support the owners and their greys to socialise the new greys to other breeds and generally have a good time.

GREAT GREYHOUND WALK JUNE 2010

We all gathered at the Riverside Country Park for the Sponsored Walk and what a good turn out. There were some new faces amongst the regulars the exact number attending is to be confirmed. We all posed for the camera at the start and then we were off. For a full report click here

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

APRIL

April Newsletter for full details click here

SAD NEWS………………..

It is with great sadness that we have to tell you that one of our regular members, David Godding, has sadly passed away.
He sadly passed on the 8th March 2010 having bravely fought cancer, David was a beloved Husband, Brother, Father and Grandfather and leaves Doreen, son John, twins Diana & Mathew, 10 grandchildren and sister Joy.

David was a retired Electronics Engineer, a Charitable Lay Brother (SVP) and a Special Minister Eucarist.

David and Doreen first became involved with Greyhounds when they adopted Evie a blue brindle bitch and after a short time of Evie passing away they thought the time was right to adopt another and Frankie, a brindle dog touched their heart.
Both Doreen and David loved their Greyhounds and would like to help us at events and were particularly good at passing the word that Greyhounds make great pets.

Everyone from the Sittingbourne Retired Greyhound Trust, the monthly walk and RGT Medway pass on their condolences and our thoughts are with Doreen and the family at this sad time.

Any messages for Doreen and the family can be emailed to us at info@rgtsittingbourne.co.uk and we will pass them on to Doreen for you.

Bill Buckley - Chairman Sittingbourne RGT

MARCH WALK

What a lovely day all be it a little cold. The walk has become more and more popular which is good to see and also a great support for all the new greyhound owners. There were of course the old faces and also some new ones as well which was nice to see. What a sight to see so many greyhounds in one place and also a great advert that they do make excellant pets. Below are some pictures of the walk.

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

FEBRUARY WALK

The weather was kind to us this time, not too cold but dry, which made a change. There were some new faces including the Kent Greyhound Rescue. The total count today was nearly 70 greyhounds.

There were some new faces……. Shadow with owner Chris. Shadow was slightly nervous at first but soon got the hang of it but especially liked the treats at the end of the walk. Jenny was also one of the newcomers, although homed quite a while ago has now got a new owner who reports that she has settled in nicely and has had no problems at all.

After all the hellos we set off at 10:30, firstly around the field and then of for another walk……..some sight to see all the greyhounds walking along.

I would have taken some more pictures but the batteries ran out on my camera so there are only a few.

All meeting up and saying hello

Jenny ………….looking good………………is this my best side?

If it’s good enough for Freddie                                      Mine has got sleeves

it’s good enough for me

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL - JANUARY WALK 2010

Into the new year with a brisk but cold walk on Sunday but this did not deter us hardened greyhound owners oh no…………we must be mad!

A good turn out despite the weather, everyone wrapped up to the point of just being able to walk…..oh that was just me then, some familiar faces all swapping stories about Christmas and all the snow that we have had…………nobody told the zebra it wasn’t fancy dress, you’ll see what I mean when you see the photos.

A good couple of hours in the great outdoors is what was needed after the festivities over the past weeks…..and a kip in the afternoon!

Here are some photos of the walk……enjoy

This looks familiar                             We must be mad

Wait for me                                          Looking Good

Elvis and Leah                       Jay Jay and Spot

Whatever you do guys don’t blink or you’ll miss it

Did anyone tell him it’s not fancy dress

Now I’ve seen the zebra I feel so daft

Wellington & Bugsy                     Is this my good side?

August Walk 2009

A beautiful day for a walk and there were some new faces. Frank, one of our newer ex residents and Greg, who after nearly two years has found a loving home with the Gibb family who also own Honey. Greg has settled in really well and took the walk in his stride, meeting lots of other greyounds and breeds of dog.

Below are some pictures of the walk.

SPONSORED WALK 5th April 2009

The sun shone today for the sponsored walk at the Riverside Country Park at Rainham and it was a far cry from last April’s weather when it snowed. There were over 80 dogs at the walk, a good support to help raise funds for the RGT.

Email received from John Homer:-

To All
So sorry that I have not written to you earlier but here is a brief summary of the walk (a more detailed one will follow later)!

We had over 70 entrants and 96 dogs including other breeds, they do not know that they are not Greyhounds!

On the day we banked £670 with £252 already banked making a total of £922 with another £574 in sponsorship still to come. There should be over £1500 in total!

If this is the case I propose that it should be split three ways, Croftview, Sittingbourne and RGT National!
I have to thank a lot of people for the assistance that was given on the day, especially Maggie and Fred Joyce, Bill and Lindsay Buckley, Ann and Bob Ball and of course the Croftview staff led by Cheryl Miller!
If anyone is feeling left out, I apologise because there was a lot more of you that took on the role of Marshals and walk leaders and not forgetting the walkers themselves! THANK YOU!

John Homer 10-04-09

Below are some pictures of the day.

Setting up the tent for the booking in……….look at that sky….beautiful!

Some early arrivals………

Croftvew trailer

A big thank you too all those that attended and gave their support.

Seasons Greetings

All were welcome at the Honourable Pilot in Gillingham on Tuesday 30th December. The Group celebrate Christmas and raise a glass. HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Next Walk will be on Sunday 4th January 2009

November Walk 2008

It started a bit foggy but turned out to be alright weather wise which made a change from it raining. Good turn out 39 dogs in total which included some new faces. One more walk to go before Christmas………. and talking of that, a Christmas meal has been arranged for the supporters so if you would like to go please contact Ann Ball for further details.

Below are some pictures of the walk, not many I’m afraid as the batteries on my camera ran out.

At least it’s not raining            John admireing some of the new coats

Everyone sporting new coats etc …… even Bill has got new wellies. Where are Trinny and Suzannah when you need them? I can tell that Honey and Angel are impressed, they have just spotted Bugsy’s new coat!

Bet Mark wishes he had a coat like this one                Some of the straglers

Last ones…… a good walk though ………. and guess what? IT STAYED DRY!

Sponsored Walk 7th September 2008

The weather did not deter the walkers at the Riverside Country Park for the annual sponsored walk organised by John Homer of the Medway Greyhound Support Group. Lindsay and Bill were there on time and as the weather looked ever increasingly like it was going to tip it down they quickly put up the two tents. The turn out was approx 40 dogs plus of course owners and all showed their support. The dogs were awarded with lovely rosette and a certificate sponsored by Pets as Therapy. The exact amount raised is yet to be confirmed but will be spilt between Pets as Therepy and the RGT. A good day was had by all, even though a bit soggy. WELL DONE TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART.

Final figure for the amount raised from the walk was £805 - split equally between PAT dogs and Main RGT.

Below are some pictures of the day.

Sponsored Walk 6th April 2008

It was a cold snowy morning and Lindsay and I debated long and hard about going to this walk as we thought nobody would turn out but we decided we had better go as we were helping out with our tents once again.
April (our greyhound) had yet another corn which was giving her jip so we decided not to take her along this time.
The drive to the Park didn’t look promising and as you can see from the photo the M2 motorway hadn’t even been gritted!

When we eventually arrived at the Riverside Country Park there were already some of the regulars there waiting!
When John and Jean turned up we set about putting up the tents so we had somewhere to shelter and by the time we had finished people started arriving and by the start of the walk there were about 65 people and 55 dogs which given the weather was an impressive turnout and a credit to John and Jean and everyone who turned up!

Below is the email John sent me after the walk :-

Hi
Once again Bill and Lindsay saved the day with their gazebo and help. To Lynn Munday who back up the walk by bringing the animal ambulance (in case of heat stroke) I am also indebted to Fred and Maggie, Ann and Bob, Terry who took the photo’s and all the supporters of RGT Medway, who despite the snow and the cold help to put up the gazebo’s and make the walk a success!
Thank you all!

I am attaching some of the photo’s that Terry took on the day.
In spite of the weather it was an impressive turn out with owners coming from as far a field as Haywards Heath and Brighton! There were about 65 people and 55 dogs!
I had a number of phone calls from those unable to make the walk and they will be sending on donations.
On the day we collected £425 and with sponsorship still to come in we should reach over £750! The proceeds of which will go to RGT Croftview and Sittingbourne RGT.

The next sponsored walk will be held on Sunday 7th September 2008, the proceeds of which will go to RGT National and Pets As Therapy (Poster Attached)
He above miss heard me, I requested nice weather so that the day would flow but he had not got his hearing aid turned up so for nice read ice and for flow read snow!

Take Care All

John Homer

Before the pictures there are some special votes of thanks to John Homer for organising the event. You can contact John on 01634 403914 or e-mail rgtmedwaysupport@aol.com

We have just received some sad news about Ivy the Fawn greyhound in the black coat and yellow rosette in the pictures above.
Sadly Ivy passed away on the morning of the 24th April 2008 aged fourteen and a half, below is the email we received from Louise and Darren.

Hi

I hope I’m emailing the correct person! We attended the sponsored walk at the Country Park on the 6th April. I would like to thank you for a lovely morning and the kindness showed to our very elderly greyhound Ivy. She thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the other greyhounds, and it means so much to us now, as sadly this morning she passed away. She went peacfully, but at 14 and a half, her old legs just couldn’t take it any more. I’m so glad she had the chance to come down and see every one, snow or not! (the photographs on the website show her waiting patiently for her beef wearing a black coat and yellow rosette.)
Love to you all, and special hugs to all the greyhounds waiting for homes

Louise and Darren

6th January 2008