This page was updated on Tuesday, 15-Mar-2022 21:08:34 GMT

PAWS IN THE PARK, JUNE 7th 2015

Thanks everyone for helping to make our 2015 event the best ever!!!!

Many thanks to all participants and attendees on the day, who all contributed to making it what it was - a great family day out! We would like to offer a special vote of thanks to our stall holders and to our catering outlets, not to mention Linda, our judge, Michelle, our compère, and Chris, our 'sound system' manager. The committee would also like to thank all our other volunteers who helped with setting out and clearing away, and with kitchen duties, the tombola, car-parking, the plants and books stalls, and the small matter of the Registration Desk. Without the support of our assistants it wouldn't have been possible to run this event. It was worth all the blood, sweat, and tears just to see all the smiling faces and exuberant dogs. Even the weather was perfect. The event has been covered by the Gazette. We are pleased to note that positive comments have been posted on Wickford Streetlife ['Streetlife' has subsequently closed its operation], and on our FaceBook page.

Class Winners

Most Handsome Dog: 12 year old Harvey owned by Valerie Dean (also Best in Show)
Best Veteran: 12 year old Jack owned by Lynne Robinson. [The eldest dog in this class was a very healthy 15 year old, Finn, owned by Tara Evans.]
Prettiest Bitch: 5 year old Millie owned by Emily Palmer
Child Handler: Harrison Austin with his dog 2 year old Dexter
Most lovable dog: 12month old Skye owned by Eva
Best 6 legs: 3 year old Silver with his owner Charlie King. [It was disappointing that more men weren't prepared to roll up their trousers and have their legs judged alongside those of their dogs - but we hope that next year they won't be so reticent!]
Cutest Puppy: 13 week Ruby owned by Mark Kinsey (28 entries)
Best Rescue: 4 year old Milo owned by Karen Davies
Dog most like its owner: 12 year old Daisy owned by Charlotte Swain

Altogether there were 170 dogs entered in the various classes.

In the lunchtime break, the spectators were rewarded with a stunning display by the award-winning Essex Flyball Team. So what is 'Flyball' you ask? Pairs of well-trained dogs compete against each other by 'flying' down the course over a series of hurdles to the far end, where they pick up a ball and 'fly' back, without dropping the ball or missing any hurdles. It has to be seen to be believed! Please see http://essexflyball.webs.com/ for further information about this group, which trains its dogs at The Wick Country Park, where it can be seen practising on most Sunday mornings.

Alongside the arena attractions, there were many commercial and charity stalls, including refreshment outlets, and opportunities for the public to have a go at the 'Doggie Challenge' and also on the Flyball course. For the children, there was a quiz based on working dogs, with information sheets about categories such as Guide Dogs for the Blind and Mountain Rescue Dogs displayed in amongst the attractions, both to inform and to help them with the quiz.

PS The committee of The Friends of the Wick Country Park is always on the look-out for new volunteers to help us to keep our events running in the future.