Forestry Commission - News - dog days success

Normally a cold wet weekend in February has little to offer for a good day out, but last weekend saw over 6,000 dog lovers turn out at The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Gloucestershire. A bigger and better event than last year, there was an action packed programme that included a husky and wolf enclosure and the first heat of Scruffts, the National cross breed dog show.

Over 300 dogs entered the shows over the weekend with the cross-breed Scruffts competition on Sunday being hailed a resounding success by the Kennel Club.

Sue Sampson of The Kennel Club said 'This is only the second year of holding the event at Westonbirt and we had 208 entries to the Scruffts classes compared with 140 last year, which makes the Westonbirt the most popular in the country.'

Westonbirt Event Manager Rachael Miller commented, ‘We have realised this year that the great thing about this event is the opportunities for people to take part. Although there were some great things to see in the arena, people could enter dog shows, have a pet portrait and even take then for a run in the cani-cross event. This year has been even more popular than last and we are sure that it will now be a regular in our annual events programme’.

The Winners of the Westonbirt Companion dog show sponsored by Burns Pet Nutrition were:
§ Dog most like its Owner - owner Louise Linton, Devizes,
§ Dog with the Waggiest Tail – ‘Cluny’ owned by Elizabeth Kerry,
§ Best Dressed Dog - owner Polly Stone from Devon
§ 'Friends' Best Friend (open to members of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum only) - owner May Hill from Malmesbury.

Scruffts Winners (Westonbirt heat)
§ Prettiest cross breed bitch (6 months to 7 years) - Claire Daniel with 'Pip' from Carterton, Oxfordshire
§ Most handsome cross breed dog (6 months - 7 years) - Caroline James with 'Chip' from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Childs best friend - Sam West with 'Tess' from Mangotsfield, Bristol
§ Golden Oldie - Emma Clark with 'Barney' from Quedgeley, Gloucestershire

Earlier this month the Forestry Commission, received an award from the Kennel Club for promoting access to the countryside and responsible dog ownership. Events like Westonbirt’s Dog Days demonstrate the Forestry Commission’s pro-dog stance and Simon Hodgson, Forestry Commission England Chief Executive who received the KC Dog Recognition Award, said: “Dog walkers are our most loyal visitors. We are delighted that dog owners have shown, through the Kennel Club, their appreciation for the Forestry Commission’s recognition of their place in the forest.” There are many joint initiatives planned between the FC and KC throughout 2007 under the Walkies in the Woods promotion, part of the Active Woods Campaign.

ENDS

Westonbirt is open all year between 9am and 8pm, or dusk if earlier. The normal cost of admission for adults is £5-£7.50, children £1, group and concession rates available. For more information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt or call the Arboretum on 01666 880220.

Notes to Editors:

1. Westonbirt - The National Arboretum, is renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains over 17,000 specimens, including almost half of those woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone, and covers 600 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Its importance is recognised by English Heritage's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest as a Grade 1 Listed Landscape.

2. Westonbirt is managed by the Forestry Commission. Visitor numbers are just under 350,000 per annum with a membership of over 19,000.

3. Westonbirt Arboretum was established in 1829 by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son, George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is often credited to Sir George's plantings of Japanese maples between 1875 and 1900, many of which are still alive today. Unlike many arboreta, Westonbirt is laid out according to aesthetic appeal rather than scientific or geographical criteria, and the Holfords' legacy is open for all to enjoy - a beautiful, relaxing and unique day out amongst some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.

4. Westonbirt is home to the National Maple (Acer) Collection, with over 300 different types in the collection. The Forestry Commission opened Westonbirt Arboretum to the public in 1961, and in 1966 a new Acer Glade was established alongside the original one planted by Robert and George Holford in 1870. Today we are in the process of creating the world’s best collection of maples.

5. Westonbirt Arboretum is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433 (Tetbury to Bath Road). It is 10 miles north-east of Junction 18 of the M4 and south-east of junction 13 of the M5.

6. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk

For further information or images please contact Charlotte Hazelby or Alison Jennings on 0117 9441166 or email info@cspr.uk.com