Frome Pets Open Day
Emma Ratcliffe, 29/04/2013
The staff of Frome Pets and Aquatics always put so much effort into making these events not only successful but a pleasure to be at.
The weather was like four seasons in one day as we even had some snow at one point but none the less, aided by my husband and two of my dogs we collected £78.83 and £17.50 on merchandise.
We also had 4 lots of people who went away with lots of info on adopting a hound, so I hope that Olive and Nessie made such a great impression on them they will be in touch soon to offer homes.
The lovely people from James Wellbeloved donated to bags of dog food as well.
The most amazing thing was that one of the staff had a rat running around inside her jacket but neither of my dogs even noticed and Nessie was a bit freaked out by the Eagle Owl although I think the feeling was mutual.
Visiting Corsham Primary
Emma Ratcliffe, 22/04/2013
Today Olive, Timmy and I made one of our regular visits to Corsham Primary School.
As part of the childrens literacy work we went on a fun walk to Corsham Court. We were looking for signs of spring.
Ryan saw a bees nest, Kelly saw yellow daffodils, Taz saw birds on their nests, Lewis found some buds on a tree and Jordon hoped we would find some lambs in the field.
On another visit we are going to take the dogs into town and talk to people about greyhounds so the children are going to learn some facts about the dogs and they want to sponsor Benji.
Countrywide Pet Day - 14/04/13
Deb and Ian Pugh, 18/04/2013
It was great to be asked back to this very friendly store in Crewkerne again this year and we set up about 10.30am. Countrywide were in fact running a pet weekend this year but we had other commitments Saturday and weren’t’ able to be present until Sunday. However, in our absence Countrywide had been holding an in store raffle, the proceeds of which they generously donated to GRWE. They were also looking after a ‘Find the name of the ex-racing Greyhound’ competition until Ian and I could get in and take over.
We had a good day with lots of interest in the dogs. One couple saw the event mentioned in the Chard and Ilminster newspaper and came all the way across from Watchet to see us.
We raised a nice total of £122.47 - £60 from the Countrywide raffle, £34.00 from Guess the Name and the rest in donations. The competition was won by a little girl from Tatworth called Neave.
Very many thanks to the staff of Countrywide whom you can see in the photo with Holly, Murdoch and Paddy.
 |
 |
Tesco, Chard. 13/04/13
Deb and Ian Pugh, 18/04/2013
This was the first time we have collected at Tesco in Chard. We were made very welcome and, fortunately, were situated in the foyer outside the main store. I say fortunately as it was raining really hard and windy to boot. However, when both sliding doors were open at the same time the foyer was like a wind tunnel – but at least we were dry!
We set up about 9.30am and were fairly busy throughout the day. Ian and I started with Holly, Murdoch and Paddy and were joined later by Maureen and Summer. Avril then joined us with Sophie and Ian and I popped home with our three for lunch and a break for the dogs. Avril was then joined by Anne and Pearl. Ian and I then came back for the afternoon shift and stayed until about 4.40pm when we were all tired and really cold so called it a day.
We were given a large bag of copper coins that a very kind lady called Ann Bowden had collected and brought over for us. She has a greyhound called ‘Pup’ and wanted to do something for Greyhounds. The total in the bag was £9.15
Everyone was very generous and interested in the dogs and we received 2 good homing enquiries. Fingers crossed! In total we made £280.45
Midsomer Norton Street Collection
Emma Ratcliffe, 17/04/2013
Although the organisation was 'totes' last minute, lots of lovely people and their dogs turned out to help...thank you one and all!!
We collected £149 and had a few interested potential homers.
If anyone would like to take on the role of events co ordinator for this area please let me or Jan know.
 |
Sainsburys Barnwood
Kirstin Finning , 01/04/2013
We were very lucky to have been allocated a collection at this store on Good Friday. Despite the unseasonably cold weather we had a fantastic turn out of human and hounds, some of whom wrapped up warm and some who dressed up for the occasion! Alfie the Easter chick-hound wearing his special outfit created by his mum, Gill, soon made the shoppers smile and stop for photos and all the dogs enjoyed having a fuss made of them. Thanks everyone who came along to support us and who put pounds and pennies in our collection pots. We raised a fabulous £532.80.
 |
 |
 |
Dorset Events Jan-March
Liz Baker, 28/03/2013
Volunteers from Dorset have had a good start to 2013.
On 19th January we raised £290.15 at Blandford's Tesco store.
On 23rd February we raised 116.60 at Weymouth's Pets at Home store.
A number of us enjoyed a rather chilly social walk at Studland on 3rd March.
A week later on 9th March we had our first Morrinsons Store collection at Weymouth where we raised £261.10.
On 23rd March, with the weather yet colder, we took our collecting tins to the (rather quiet) Sherborne Castle Garden Centre and raised a surprising £131.
Thank you to the stalwart volunteers who have given us a good start to the year despite the wintery weather.
 |
 |
 |
Stroud Farmers' Market 9th March
Kirstin Finning , 10/03/2013
We were very grateful to www.madeinstroud.org to have been given a guest stall at this very popular farmers' market in the centre of Stroud. Stroud is famous for its 'green and local' ethos. We had a great pitch somewhere between the butchers and cheese stalls (a fact not lost on our volunteer hounds who positively welcomed shoppers and their shopping bags to our stall). All hounds were superb ambassadors, however, even resisting tempation when closer to lunchtime, stall visitors were accompanied by free-range burgers, hotdogs and much more. Wish I could say the same for us human volunteers, several of whom (naming no names) succumbed to the famous 'best donughts in the world'!
Visitors to our stall were very generous and we sold lots of GRWE merchandise and were given lots of donations. It was the day before Mother's Day, and I think a few hound-crazy mums might have gotten a nice pressie.
We also met several people who were really interested in giving a home to a hound, so hopefully there may be more hounds in Stroud soon.
It was great to see foster dogs, Jet and Paddy, both looking for homes, and to catch up with friends, human and hound, including Davey and his family, 'Sue and two', Lynn (sans Smokey this time), and Greta adopted from GRWE Herts as a pup.
Thanks everyone who helped out on the day, and thank you to all the people of Stroud who supported us!
 |
 |
Sainsburys Dursley 2013
Gill Meadows, 04/03/2013
After putting up 7 posters in local shops/ swimming pool, small (free) notice in Dursley Gazette and being read out every day on BBC Radio Glos the week leading up, we hoped we had done enough to highlight our collection at Sainsbury’s Dursley, and hope the major road works in the centre of the town wouldn’t stop people coming to see us. We started earlier than normal at 9:30 hoping to catch the usual early morning visitors with the weather being dry but very cold. Some owners and dogs turned up in fancy dress hoping to catch the eye of passers by, all day we were kept occupied with enquiries about our dogs with 1 definite homing offer soon to be followed up as soon as the last fence panel is erected to enclose their garden, 2 others more than likely to proceed in the near future, 1 lady really keen on becoming a foster mum, 2 Grey owners going to join our next playgroup event in April, and many leaflets handed out for others to think about homing in the future. A special Thanks to Sainsbury’s for inviting us back, to Mark their very helpful carpark attendant for also giving the dogs treats and ‘Bird’ the store’s security guard for cups of coffee from the staff canteen. The total collected of £364 being only slightly down on last year is a very fine sum indeed, especially considering the unfortunate situation re the roadworks. A Big ‘Thanks’ to Sainsbury’s and the people of Dursley and surrounds. The photo and a write up should be in the Dursley Gazette next Thurs which is more publicity too!
 |
 |