Westonbirt – The National Arboretum, which is managed by the Forestry Commission, will welcome its four-legged friends on 20-21 February, when it hosts the popular ‘Dog Days’ weekend.
Across the two day event, Westonbirt will host a range of doggie delights, including the regional heat of the Scruffts cross-breed dog show and a training display and advice session from BBC3’s Dog Borstal presenter, Lynne Davies.
Dog lovers and dog owners will be treated to the Tail-Waggers display and Dog Olympic Games. There’s a Swifts Fly Ball team show and if you’re feeling energetic, Cani-X, the Canine Cross Country event, will send you and your dog off on a 2.5km or 4km run through Silk Wood. There are 16 human age classes and any breed of dog can enter. Register for Cani-X at www.cani-cross.co.uk/.
Enter Scruffts and your prized pooch might even make it through to the national final at London’s Earls Court.
Scruffts, is run in support of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, and dogs are judged on good character, health and temperament. Dogs must be older that 6 months and younger than 12 years to enter – entry is £1, and all money raised goes to the Charitable Trust. There’s no need to register in advance, just turn up on the day. For further information about Scruffts, go to www.thekennelclub.org.uk
Dog behaviour and training specialist, Lynne Davies, commented:
"Dog Days at Westonbirt is a great event at which to get top training tips and have a fun day out with your dog. I’m looking forward to displaying manwork skills with my dog Zeke, meeting lots of dog owners and helping with their questions on training and behaviour."
Dog Days at Westonbirt Arboretum: 10am – 4pm, adult £7, concession £6, child £3 (including entry to the whole arboretum). For further information go to www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt or tel: 01666 880220
Throughout the year, dogs and their owners can enjoy walking through the arboretum’s extensive Silk Wood. Westonbirt Arboretum is managed by the Forestry Commission. It 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.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Images of Dog Days at Westonbirt Arboretum available – credit Westonbirt Arboretum/Rob Cousins.
Full programme of events:
Saturday 20
Gamegoers working dogs and ferret racing
Swifts flyball team display
Tailwaggers display and dog Olympic games
Dog training display and free dog training advice with Lynne Davies from BBC3’s Dog Borstal
Guided dog walks through Silk Wood
Sunday 21
Tailwaggers display and dog Olympic games
Cani-X and awards – entries in advance at www.cani-cross.co.uk
Scruffts South West regional heat
Guided dog walks through Silk Wood
Westonbirt - The National Arboretum is managed by the Forestry Commission and renowned world-wide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains nearly 16,000 specimens, including almost half of the woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone. It 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 registered Landscape. Visitor numbers are 360,000 a year, with a membership of over 23,000.
Westonbirt Arboretum was established in the 1850s by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is 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 among some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.
Westonbirt is home to the National Japanese Maple (Acer) Collection, with over 350 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 1875.
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
MEDIA CONTACT
Katrina Podlewska, Communications Manager, Westonbirt The National Arboretum, on 01666 881 207, or email: katrina.podlewska@forestry.gsi.gov.uk