Newsletter 2
April 2007
Progress Report
Our first eight months have now passed and we are all
feeling very optimistic about our new group and the way
things are developing!
At the last General Meeting in March, Sue Tipton reported
that we have homed a total of 50 dogs since setting up the
group in August 2006. These included 24 RGT dogs (i.e.
registered greyhounds) and 26 unregistered greyhounds
or lurchers. This work continues at a steady pace and Sue
should be congratulated for her hard work at the kennels,
not forgetting Malcolm for his patient support in the
background, which often goes unrecognized!
Our financial status remains secure and we have now part
purchased a van to transport the dogs in accordance with
the Animal Welfare Act.
The Race Night held on Saturday 3 March at Bicton was
a hugely successful event. Thanks and congratulations
go to Rose and Ivan for all their months of hard work
in preparing for the evening and for managing it on the
night. Thanks also to all who sponsored races and
horses and supported the evening. Some of you will
have noticed that it was a bit of a Tipton evening but
there is apparently no truth in the rumour that Malcolm is
thinking of becoming a professional gambler! There is
truth however in the idea that Rose & Ivan may well
follow up on this success with a 60s Disco (that's music
from the 60s, not a disco for 60 year olds!) later in the
year.
The bag pack at Stan’s Supermarket on Good Friday
also raised a good sum of money and once again thanks
must go to the stalwarts who manned the checkouts and
stood outside with dogs. This type of fundraising is
extremely hard work as anyone who has taken part will
know, so well done to all involved.
Events
The following events have been planned for this year.
There may well be more added and these will be shown
on our website. We will be setting up a stand at the
shows and anyone who would like to volunteer to staff
the stall for a couple of hours should contact Brenda on
01691 670037.
Sponsored Dog Walk/Greyhound Gathering and
Barbeque
We have an active website where we advertise dogs
needing homes and report on fundraising events which
have taken place. (http://shropshire.retiredgreyhounds.org/)
We also use this to notify people of events planned for the
rest of the year. More contributions to the website are
continually being sought but, to date, these have not been
forthcoming. Please could everyone make an attempt to
contribute just a little towards making our website an
interesting and worthwhile place for people to visit. We
would love to hear your stories about your dogs, whether
they have been with you for some time or are new to your
home. Just a photo with a few words will suffice. You can
email these to Julia on juliakeith@btinternet.com or send
them to her at Y Bwthyn, Tregeiriog, Llangollen, LL20 7LA.
Fundraising events this year have just begun to get
underway. Two new venues have been explored, Bangor
on Dee Races and Eyton Races. Eyton, in particular, was
very successful with the possibility of two homes following
on and a good sum of money raised, not to mention a
tremendous amount of interest shown in the dogs from
race goers.
at Colemere Country Park, Lyneal, Nr Ellesmere
3rd June 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
A great opportunity for owners of greyhounds and
lurchers to meet like minded people, get some
exercise and raise some money for the dogs into the
bargain. Dave's Barbeque is to be highly
recommended and if the weather is good (fingers
crossed) it's a brilliant day out. Merchandise etc. is
also on sale
Further details and sponsor forms from Brenda on
01691 670037
Dog Show at Pearl Vets in Shrewsbury - 10th June
Further details from Pearl Vets or Sue Tipton at
Moorlands on 01743 872395
West Midlands Show - 23rd and 24th June
Attractions include the Household Cavalry Musical
Ride, The Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motocross Display
Team, Army Battle Simulations, The Shetland Grand
National, Show Jumping, Display of Carriages of
Yesteryear and Grand Cattle Parade.
Further details from Brenda on 01691 670037
Newport Show – 21st July
One day rural show with plenty of entertainment,
including the White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team,
The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, a spetacular
Eagle and Vulture Show and the qualifying round of the
Horse of the Year Show Shire Horse Championship.
Further details from Brenda on 01691 670037
RSPCA Show at Gonsall - 22nd July
Further details from Sue Tipton at Moorlands
01743 872395
Oswestry Show - 4th August
One of the largest one day agricultural shows in the
country. Arena displays, competitions, trade stands,
crafts and much more.
Further details from Brenda on 01691 670037
Minsterley Show - 18th August
Shropshire's oldest and most prestigious one day
agricultural show. This is a great day out and gives us
an opportunity to raise awareness of the greyhounds
Further details from Brenda on 01691 670037
County of Salop Steam Rally - 26th and 27th August
This takes place every August Bank Holiday Sunday and
Monday at Onslow Park on the A458 Shrewsbury to
Welshpool road. Many attractions at the show including
shire horses, model tent, craft marquee, working
demonstrations and static exhibits.
Further details from Brenda on 01691 670037
Fundraising Matters
In our previous newsletter we said that one of our
targets for 2007 is to recruit more hands-on volunteers
for our fund raising events. There is always plenty to do,
and we are often at full stretch in setting up, manning the
stalls, serving refreshments and then clearing away.
The more help we have, the more events we can take
on and more money will be raised for our funds. That, in
turn, will lead to more dogs finding good homes. We
have had a few new people joining us at the events but
there is always room for more, so please, if you could
only spare a couple of hours, we would be very grateful.
Our next General Meeting will take place on Tuesday
26th June at 7.30 p.m. at Nesscliffe Village Hall. Please
come along and give your suggestions, views, etc. All
are welcome.
Goodbyes
Once their house sale is completed, Mike and Jacqui
Atkinson will be returning to their roots in Norfolk. It’s a
move that they’ve been considering for some time but
good news for them is bad news for us! Mike and
Jacqui have been stalwarts of greyhound rescue for
some years and were amongst the founder members of
GRSB. It was Mike who pioneered our association with
the RGT and developed and sustained our links with
them. His photographic and publicity skills have been
invaluable and he has even been known to crack the
occasional joke! Meanwhile his better half was using
her culinary skills and catering experience to sustain the
troops and feed those who thronged to our events! We
shall all miss their hard work and their companionship.
Good luck in the Fens and I’m sure that it won’t be long
before we have a sister RGT branch in East Anglia.
Latest News
On Saturday 28th April, Annette Crosby, a champion of
Greyhound Rescue and the owner of two greyhounds
herself, posed for photographs with greyhounds Charlie
and Mick, and volunteers Brenda Smith and Margaret
Morrison, during her sell-out one-woman show at
Shrewsbury's Music Hall. In one part of the show she
talked about her life and acting career and in another
she promoted the plight of ex-racing greyhounds and
mentioned the work of Greyhound Rescue Shropshire
and Borders. This was a wonderful boost for our
organisation and we are extremely grateful to Annette
for giving us her time and support.
Sponsorship Form
Dear Sponsor
Thank you for helping to look after the greyhounds and lurchers in our care. You can either:
Sponsor a dog for a minimum of £2.00 per month (£24.00 per year), or
Sponsor a kennel for a minimum of £5.00 per month (£60 per year), or give a donation.
Please delete as appropriate:
□ I would like to sponsor a dog @ £2 per month/£24 per year
□ I would like to sponsor a kennel @ £5 per month/£60 per year
□ I would like to offer a donation of £…………
Name of dog I wish to sponsor:
Name to appear on certificate:
Name/address to which the certificate should be sent:
Telephone Number:
Email:
If paying by cheque, please make it payable to “Shropshire Greyhound Rescue Club”. You may also pay by monthly
Standing Order.
Please return this form to: Mrs S Tipton, Moorlands Kennels, Condover, Nr Shrewsbury, SY5 7BS.
To: Greyhound Rescue Shropshire and Borders
269668
Charity No.
Gift Aid Declaration
(Important: Only complete this section if you are a tax-payer. It enables the Charity to claim an extra sum from the Inland Revenue at no extra cost to you)
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Name ________________________________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Please treat the attached donation as a Gift Aid donation
£_____________________
I am a UK taxpayer intending tax to be reclaimed on the attached donation under the Gift Aid Scheme. I understand that I must
have paid an amount of Income Tax that at least equals the tax to be reclaimed.
Signed ____________________________________________________
Date ______________________________________________________
Sponsor Dogs
Tristan
We cannot be sure how old Tristan is as
his behaviour varies from that of a puppy
one minute to that of an older dog the
next. He suffers from epilepsy and the
medication can tend to make him a little
docile. Until, that is, a train comes and
then he loves to chase this up the field.
He also loves to watch the traffic on the
main road. He likes routine and knows if
it is walk, feed or sleep time. He enjoys a
cuddle in his bed and likes someone to
sit with him.
Pippin
Pippin is 9 years old and came into the
kennels as a neglect case. She had not
been handled and even now will not
tolerate a collar or lead. She is very wary
of strangers but is very affectionate once
she gets to know you. She has taken on
the role of "guard dog" and barks to let
Sue know when customers are there.
She is also a thief of treats and has
sussed out all the secret haunts which
she visits when the other dogs are out
walking! She will remain at the kennels
where she has got her own bolt-hole
should things get too traumatic or if she
needs to snatch forty winks.
If you feel you would like to support one of these dogs please complete the form overleaf and return to Mrs S
Tipton at Moorlands Kennels, Condover, Nr Shrewsbury, SY5 7BS.
Alternatively, you could sponsor a kennel or simply give a one-off donation.
All monies go directly to supporting the greyhounds and lurchers in our care. GRSB has no paid members of
staff.
NGRC Retired Greyhound Trust Registered Charity No. 269668