Community dog show in Runcorn hailed as ‘great success’

The sun shone on Runcorn’s Phoenix Park where the Weaver Vale MP’s first ever dog show was held at the weekend.

Stalls were staffed by organisations including the RSPCA and Dogs Trust, veterinary specialists Movement Referrals, Bindi’s Lost and Found Pets, Norton Priory, Windmill Hill Big Local and Phoenix Amateur Photography.

The community dog show (Image: Mike Amesbury)

Musical accompaniment was courtesy of Halton ukulele band Uke-N-Strum.

Members of the public entered their beloved pooches for categories that included waggiest tail, cutest old timer, best trick and grumpiest face.

Husband and wife volunteers Brian and Val Godbold, from the Warrington group of Guide Dogs for the Blind, with Gino and Elly (Image: Mike Amesbury)

Judges were Mr Amesbury and his office manager Cllr Rosie Leck (Mersey and Weston) along with Cllr Sharon Thornton (Halton Castle), who runs CHI community café in the park, with husband Phil.

Watching from the side-lines was Mr Amesbury’s pet cockapoo, who won the people’s vote in the Westminster Dog of the Year contest 2018.

Mr Amesbury said afterwards: “I thought the day was a great success. Everyone seemed to be having fun, so perhaps I will look at holding more events like this in future.

Mike Amesbury MP with his cockapoo at the event (Image: PR)

“A big thank you to everyone who came along, including owners and their dogs, stallholders, sponsors and volunteers.”

Prizes for the dog show were kindly donated by Hessey’s Happy Hounds, operating in Runcorn, Widnes and Great Sankey and which  attended the show, as well as Jollyes of Runcorn, Roscoe’s Ranch in Frodsham and Pet Funeral Services at Holywell.