I Loved Paws in the Park 2016

After months of organisation by I Love Bramhall & I Love Cheadle Hulme the day finally dawned for Paws in the Park!

On Sunday 24 April, the inaugural Paws in the Park – Sponsored by Sandwich Heaven on Fir Rd and Hartington Hounds Dog Groomers assisted by Friends of Lumb Lane Park took place in Lumb Lane Park. Those months of organisation paid off and it was a truly fantastic day. The only thing we couldn’t fix was the good old British weather. Not to worry, us dog owners are a hardy bunch – and the show must go on. So it did, with just a five-minute interlude to avoid the worst deluge! Thank you to everyone for braving it, we couldn’t have done it without you.

We had an inkling that Paws in the Park would be a success, when fellow dog walkers kept mentioning it. However, it wasn’t until we saw the size of the queue for registration that we realised just HOW successful – thank Goodness we had some lovely helpers. And thank Goodness all the exhibitors were so lovely! And thank Goodness for Sandwich Heaven’s sausage butties! All in all, there were over two hundred dogs at Paws in the Park. Some travelled from as far afield as Preston and Oldham, others from all over Stockport and Cheshire.

So many dogs, in all breeds, shapes and sizes! All were gorgeous, but we all had our favourites. We also had the beautiful – and impeccably behaved – Darcey the I Love Bramhall’s Bearded Collie with us. It was difficult not to fall in love with all the puppies, too. Many of our local businesses brought their dogs. Representing Cheadle Hulme, we had Tilly from The Board and Kaye Hanabuss’s Eliza. Bramhall was represented by Sorella, Fyona Basset, A Sweet Thought and Crookilley. The judges had an unenviable – if enjoyable – task ahead of them. Thank you judges, for an excellent job, under sometimes very wet circumstances!

Our lovely judges were:

• Vanessa & Xan Gerrard – Dzinr
• Paul Milton – Railway Nursery
• Linda Weekes Holt – Bramhall North Councillor
• Ginny Clarke – Hartington Hounds
• Caroline Littlewood – Carries Pets Companion
• Simon & Isla Anderson – Pro-fit 21
• Sue Day – Modiste
• Annabel Tiffin – BBC North West Tonight
• Rachel Wallace – We Are Stockport
• Richard Carr – Hearing Dogs
• Ian Ratcliffe – Sandwich Heaven
• Mary Robinson – MP for Cheadle

And – drumroll please – our winners were:

• Delightful Dog 1^st: Marley (Debbie) 2^nd: Hugo (Jan) 3^rd: Deefer (Jamie)
• Loveliest Lady 1^st: Mabel (Stewart) 2^nd: Bluebell (Kelly) 3^rd: Tilly (Ruby & Bella – The Board)
• Marvellous Mutt 1^st: Balou (Mell) 2^nd: Spencer (Luke) 3rd: Ted (Carol)
• Gorgeous Goldie Oldie 1^st: Maximus 2^nd: Meggie (Linda) 3^rd: Molly (Howard)
• Perfect Pedigree 1^st: Madge (Bulldog-Danny) 2^nd: Crystal (Shetland Sheepdog – Kathy) 3^rd: Frankie (Chihuahua – Nicky)
• Performing Pooches 1^st: Toby (Leanne) 2^nd: Maizie (Karen) 3^rd: Ozzy
• Tremendous Toy 1^st:  Minni (Danielle) 2^nd: Rose (Alison) 3^rd: Toby (Leanne)
• Amusing Attire 1^st: Gizmo (Maggie ) 2^nd: Esme (Vickie) 3^rd: (Claire)
• Precious Puppy 1^st: Freya (Dawn) 2^nd: Molly (Rachel) 3rd: Arnold (Fiona)
• Remarkable Rescue 1^st: Benji (Tom) 2^nd: Magic 3^rd: Jess (Harry)
• Kid’s Best Buddy 1^st: Robbie (Anna) 2^nd: Scout (Izzy) 3^rd: Spencer (Luke)

As if those decisions weren’t hard enough, then came Best in Show. Our judges were faced with 11 beautiful dogs, who all mean the world to their owners. However, there can only be one winner and on this occasion it was beautiful Bedlington Terrier, Benji, winner of Best Rescue. He and owner Tom, from Cheadle Hulme have a wonderful story – they’ve saved each other’s lives and mean the world to each other. Runners up were Toby and Leanne, followed by Minni and Danielle. Congratulations everyone!

All 1st, 2nd & 3rd winners won a rosette, certificate and Dog Photographer UK gave a free shoot to all 1st prize winners and Benji will won a framed product and thanks to Barkers for Dogs for donating lovely prizes for all the class winners and runners-ups!

As well as the judges and entrants, we also had Richard and his wonderful Hearing Dog, Cameron, in attendance, representing the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. So many of our brilliant local businesses donated raffle prizes for the charity raising over £404.57 – so a massive thank you to them, too: Chelsea Shoesmith Photograhy – Famous Henrys – Kaye Hannabuss –  Crookilley Crafts – Julie Widdowson – Black Beauty – Buddy’s Walk – Sainsburys – Magnetic Wellness – Cafelito – Sandwich Heaven – ElfMills Carriages – Dzinr – Sphere Financial Services– Carries Pet Companion – Oscar –Cheeky Swines – Callis Corner – Energise Holistics – Eagle Gate – Galley Delicatessen – Pet Stay – Scentsy –Discounts Pets – Tesco– Sainsburys – The Board Cafe – Hair by Claire

Of course, no event would be the same without the support of outside stallholders, so another shout out to: Cafelito – Serving teas and coffee – Callis Corner – Imprints and castings of your pets paws – Castle Kingdom – Inflatable Doggies – Cheeky Swine – Hog Roast – Crookilley Crafts – Doggie gifts and crafty ideas – Dog Photographer Uk – Pet photography – Elf Mills Carriages – Shetland Ponies – Tabitha Curtis Global – Forever Living products for pets – Friends of Lumb Lane – Children’s activites – Hartington Hounds – Dog Groomer –Hearing Dogs – Charity raffle – Kaye Hannabuss Textiles – Dog accessories – Oscar – Dog Toys, Treats and Food – Pet Stay – Pet Sitter – Popscycle – Ice Cream – Partylite -Pet Friendly Fragranced ‘Fresh Home’ Air Care – Bramhall & Woodford Rotary – Children’s activites – Sandwich Heaven – Tray bakes and cakes – The Howl Emporium – Tasty wholesome treats for dogs – Wiggle & Wagg– First Aid for Dogs – Woodcroft Vets – Veterinary Service

And thanks to our lovely First Aider – Sylvia Thomas (luckily not required!)

So, all in all, a tremendous success. Thanks once again to the beautiful dogs (and lovely people) of Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme and beyond. Will we do it all again next year? Watch this space…

If you wish to see more of the photos from the day or purchase any please click here and be directed to Chelsea Shoesmith’s gallery

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