So much fun today.  A few weeks ago i said we'd like to get 20 dogs, well today we went over 20, over 30 too.  Brilliant turnout of 35 dogs (would have been 40 had we not decided to not bother with the non ped racers due to lure struggling  at the end).
Starting off with the doggy fancy dress, the amount of dogs dressed up just proved we're all as bloody daft as each other, some dogs pulled the look off better than others, this was just hilarious.  Winners were Alfie the Devil & Jess the Witch, kindly judged by Gina.
Once we'd done embarrassing the hounds it was on to some running.
Lots of new faces taking to the lure today; Nimbus, Spiro, Strider, Griffin (so cute!), Dee, Wombat, Pirelli, Emily, Liffey, Zak, Stanley, Ratty, Olive, Apache, Tillie, Nellie & Bolt.
Lots of firsts today too, Alfie had his first race (and won on the 2nd time of asking), Jess giving start away in her first 3 dog race (and won!) as did Ruby, little Jake progressed to his first trial from the traps and of course took it all in his stride, he's ready for a run in company next time.
Zuma, Casper, Indie, Tillie, Gypsy all had races, other trials for Jersey, Snip, Piper, Spike, Pepe, Jack, Lizzie, Ollie & Lucy.
In the break we did the hot dog bobbing, clear champion Martin's little guzzler Ruby.  Loads of fun with dogs trying to suss out how to dunk for them, i think the general consensus was to drink all the water in a bid to get to them, Rube's got stuck straight in with air bubbles coming up, the lot and grabbed a mouth full.
Today we decided to move to the 2nd track alongside our original with it being wet and lots of dogs running, we'll alternate weekly over the winter so give each one chance to clear up.
Lots of brews and food consumed in the break whilst we did the raffle, thanks to everyone who brought prizes i chuckle when people arrive and they ask has Linda done her stew (no getting out of it now Linda lol), also thanks to Jac for supplying the prizes for fancy dress and hot dog bobbing and to John for the freebies for everyone today.  We were all very grateful to all the helpers who just turned up and got stuck in with brewing, setting up, selling raffle tickets, packing away, you're a fab bunch!
Hope you all enjoyed your day and that the newcomers will visit again soon x

​Another fun day with all dogs going home happy.  A few showers early on but it didn't dampen the spirits of the keen dogs and soon changed into lovely sunshine.
We were missing John today who's a big help at our club and his absence didn't go unnoticed, rest up & get better soon x
Thanks as always to our workers; Mark on the lure, Keith on the traps and Linda who got stuck in with everything; tea maid, head chef and on the traps too.
New dogs today were Colin's 12 month old Jasper, his first time behind a lure and really took to it.  Sandras Tilly & Indie who have done agility and lure coursing but have never been in a trap, that was soon sorted and they were flying out like two good'ns.  Zuma has been before but had his first trials from the traps and mastered it, regulars Martin's lovely Ruby & Lorraine's Jess both had their first trials in company with Tilly & Indy and then progressed to racing against each other with muzzles on with little superstar Jess winning her first ever race.  Worth It & Black Admiral both had solo trials.  Marshbrook Meave Sc & Mo Hawk 2 had a race together with Meave pulling away towards the end winning by a good couple of lengths. Lucy had 2 full distance trials and looked to be running really well.   Ollie & Rupert (terriers) both had handslips.  Keiths Jack (Almost Bobs x Adi Lin) had 2 handslips and is looking really special.
Linda's stew and dumplings went down a treat (thanks again) as did the Pupcakes with 33 being sold (we have some lucky pups in the club) and thanks also to those who kindly donated raffle prizes.  
See you all next week x

Thanks to everyone who came today, sorry I didn't get to see everyone run as I only managed to get there towards the end.  Thanks to all the helpers; setting up, collecting money, refreshments, traps, lure, lure girl, packing away and our two photographers.  15 dogs for today's session who all got at least 2 runs, with a few who couldn't make it, hoping we go above 20 next week.
Newcomers this week; Gypsy, Lizzie, Roo, Ruby (2), I believe all chased brilliantly.  Lola & Ruby (1) attended for their second time and both loved it.  Jess & Alfie both progressed to running from a closed trap (do we have a match race between these two coming up?), Spike & sister Pepe were both slipped through an open trap and took it all in their stride.  Racing was won by Madam Moet from Mo Hawk and Marshbrook Meave from On the Button and the final by Marshbrook Meave.  Black Admiral had a couple of solo trials.

Costs as follows: halfway handslips £1.00 per dog, full distance trials & Racing £1.50 per dog (£2.00 non members), yearly membership £10.

Please keep sharing the page with friends or any appropriate facebook groups.

Racing / Trialing again next Saturday 24th October 12 O'Clock start.

Photo courtesy of John Harwood

We had a really lovely day today.  Thank you to everyone who made it possible, it is a big step towards building the club back up again.
Met some lovely new faces who all fitted in perfectly.  The dogs, the people, the track, everything all very positive, just a lovely atmosphere.
John was there early setting up, followed by Lyndon making the journey from Worcester and picking up Greg along the way in Stoke, soon after there were cars coming in thick and fast and everyone kept the girls busy having drinks and something to eat whilst we all had a natter before the start of racing.
A total of 19 dogs which we were thrilled with.  A number of newcomers all very keen and taking to the lure brilliantly.
We started with the handslip first, all patiently waiting their turn and taking everything in.
First up was Fred, although only a youngster, this little lad started his training with us at Howe Bridge and has just been an absolute natural, a good choice for the newcomers to watch as he's so keen and absolutely fearless, he showed them all how it's done.  Fred was followed by Zuma, Bella, Ruby, Archie, Lucy, Jack, Jake & Pepe and all one after another chased well, first time of asking.  Next we moved onto the full distance trials, Jess who everyone loves was ready to try the traps, she was walked through a couple of times and as with everything she does, when it came to being slipped through, sailed through and flew up the track, same with Alfie with his first try from the traps, took it all in his stride.  Our little mascot Jersey also had a run from the traps clocking a 9.97.  Lyndon paraded his little superstar Darlo Boom Boom with her presentation jacket on, she too had a trial and for such a little bitch,  made it look effortless.  6 dogs for racing so an easy 2 x 3 doggers.  1st race was won by Mo Hawk 20, 2nd the very impressive puppy in his debut race Darlo Tornado 17 who got behind the lure at the traps and never budged away from the middle of the track, 3rd a very fast finishing On The Button 27 who was really eating up the yardage towards the line.  2nd race a level break for the 3 x 21lb bitches,  Greg 's Scooters Paradise (2nd) taking the early lead whilst the other two touched at the boxes, to the line though Marshbrook Meave in her usual style was running on strong and pulled away, Madam Moet (3rd).
Another brew and Linda 's stew went down a treat whilst we did the raffle and had a short break before starting back.
More handslip and trials for everyone, followed  by the A Final. A 1 - 2 for us with Marshbrook Meave 1st and Mo Hawk 2nd.  B Final was won by Madam Moet in a very good clock this time from Gregs Scooters Paradise (Lyndon more than pleased with his Darlo Tornado for one day w/d and had solo instead).
Our big lad Black Admiral looked very pleased with himself, the last run of the day, as it took two of us the release the lure from his clasp.
Finally as predicted, just as we were done, we were treated to the spectacular sight of the Vulcan Bomber flying overhead.
Once again, thanks everyone for coming, thanks to the trusty team members and to everyone who brought raffle prizes.
Same time, same place next week folks

Photo courtesy of Wild Whippies Photography

Congratulations to A & T Whippets that competed at the recent NNWRF Straight Championships at Shirebrook.  We had a very successful weekend with a number of winners; NVSc Ch Bobby Dazzler, Nch Anagram, Little Big Man 2nd in a hard heat, Hagler very unlucky after being hampered, Rup NVCh Whiskey Fudge, Rup NCh Push the Button, NSc Ch What's Your Rush. 
All the best to those who will be travelling to Fordingbridge for the Classic English Derby

  An excellent turnout tonight of 40 dogs tonight, delayed start meant we only got finished at 9.40 and some people still only got one run - sorry, if you point it out next week we'll make sure you get in first.

There was lots of trials:
Meave, Sailor, Alfie, Leo (Just Friends x Marsh Brook Bear), Tilly (ped), Harry (ped), Boybelle, Winston, Henry, Roger (ped), U Choose. Sheena, Zak & Roo (Showman x Whiskey Fudge).
4 heats of the handicap (ABCD Finals), 2 heats of the scratch and 2 heats for the peds.
...
Ht 1
Laughing Boy Sc - 2nd
Moonbound Sc - 1st
Mo Carlin 1 1/2 - 3rd
Hubble Bubble 2 - 4th

Moonbound continuing his good run of form and finishing like a train.

Ht 2
Hagler Sc - 1st
Twisted Sister 1 - 2nd
Little Guess 2 1/2 - 3rd

A very impressive run from Hagler to win comfortably

Ht 3
Push The Button Sc - 1st
Whiskey Fudge 3 - 2nd
Make it Four 4 - 3rd

Another good run from Push the button who took full advantage of the front runners bumping

Ht 4
Megapixel Sc - 3rd
Bobby Dazzler 1 - 1st
Anagram 1 1/2 - 2nd

A brilliant race with the veteran Bobby Dazzler getting up just before the line

Scratch Ht 1
Miles Away
King Coal
Floless - 1st

A neck and neck run with Floless just getting up on the line

Ht 2
Mighty Run
Maid u Run - 1st

Maid u Run took the early lead from the boxes and held it to the line

Peds Ht 1
Gladys Sc
Betsy Sc
Ethel 2 1/2 - 1st
Billy 3 1/2

Ht 2
Syd Sc
Northern Princess 1/2
Mystify Me 3 1/2 - 1st
Bella 5 1/2

A Final
Bobby Dazzler Sc
Moonbound 1
Push The Button 1 1/2
Hagler 3 - 1st

B Final
Anagram Sc w/d
Laughing Boy 1/2
Whiskey Fudge 4 - 1st
Twisted Sister w/d

C Final
Megapixel Sc - 1st
Mo Carlin 3 1/2
Make it Four 6 1/2
Little Guess 6 1/2

D Final
Hibble Bubble Sc
Northern Princess 3 1/2 - 1st

Scratch 2nd Run
Miles Away - 1st
Kind Coal
Maid u Run
Mighty Run

Thanks to all the helpers, Tony / Craig on the traps, Gina raffle and George / Mark / Tony on the lure, John for helping with the slips and thanks also to everyone who set up & packed away and those that donated raffle prizes.

Not a bad turnout at all considering the weather but we were lucky and the rain stayed off, we were back on our usual track this week too. Thanks to everyone who could get there early to set up John, Craig, Andy, Keith and to Tony Tent on the traps & Tony on the Lure and Lynda again for supplying the flasks of Coffee. Thanks also to those who donated raffle prizes which were won by Nicola, Lynda & Gina.

Trials for:

Push the Button
Twisted Sister
Hunkie
What's Your Rush
Midnight Maid
Make it Four
Megapixel
King Coal
Moonbound
Bobby Dazzler
Joe
Gladys
Sid
Anagram
Just Paddy
Maid u Run
Miles Away

Boybelle, Winston (Just Friends x Branco), Meave & Sailor (Just Friends x Marsh Brook Bear) all had handslips.
We also had another newcomer with his whippet x greyhound who went very well.

The handicap will start next week now that everyone's had some trialing and we'll have some prizes for the heat winners.

Only two dogs from our club travelling today, Alan & Pauline's Short n Curly making the heavyweight A Final and also John & Fiona's Mad Jack winning the B Final.  Well done!

A wet & miserable night weather wise but we all had a good laugh & the poor turnout left plenty of time for people to have a couple of runs if they wanted.
Meave & Sailor both had 50yd handslips & went well.
Roo & Zack both had short slips & chased well
Maid Your Point, What's Your Rush, Anagram, Whiskey Fudge & Just Paddy all had solos.
Linda ran Push the Button up with Twisted Sister and then Twisted Sister had a run with Make it Four (a good close run in both races)
Miles Away & Maid u Run both had two runs together with Maid u Run winning both times.
Midnight Maid had a run with Make it Four with little Joe winning and then Violet had a run with Sally with Violet just getting it.
We had newcomers again who's dog went very well.

Thanks to Lynda for priving the flask of Coffee which went down well and also for donating the lure string to the club.  Thanks also to John, Mark, Keith, Andy, George & Carl for helping setting up / packing away and also the lure kids Robyn, Ruby & AJ who deserved their Slushes & Mars Bars when we went in the club after racing.