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Northern Greyhound Gathering 2022 - Wetherby

If you could only use one small phrase to describe the 2022 Northern Greyhound Gathering, this would be it … Hot But Happy!



HOT it most certainly was.  But that didn’t deter the supporters, stallholders, volunteers, and, of course, greyhounds and their other breed pals, from coming together for another successful and Happy day.

Greyhound Trust West Yorkshire branch has been homing retired greyhounds for more than 20 years.  From very early days an annual event was organised to celebrate greyhounds and those who take them into their homes;  and to enjoy a fun, sociable day with like-minded folk.
This grew year on year to become the Northern Greyhound Gathering, and had to move up a size or two from the original farm field!  The event settled in 2017 at the lovely venue of Wetherby Racecourse, which offers great access and plenty of space for the 2 show rings, the stalls, the parking and picnics.

The spirit of togetherness and commitment was still very much in evidence on 10th July, 2022 - with everyone relentlessly cheerful and positive as the day got hotter, and taking all the right precautions to keep humans and canines cool.

2 show rings were in action, with judges Nigel (for greyhounds) and Elaine (for other breeds) adding great good humour to their expertise.  There were 11 hotly contested classes in each ring before the 2 Best In Show awards were made. 





The Greyhound Best In Show was the very handsome Neville, who had previously won the class for Best Greyhound homed by GTWY. Reserve BIS was Jonah, earlier placed first in the Best Condition class.

Best In Show in the Other Breeds Ring was Reina, with Penny as Reserve.   




Each of the class winners received a prize gift bag kindly donated by The Innocent Hound.  There was a further bumper bag for the BIS winners, along with new trophies, presented in honour of long serving GTWY volunteer and greyhound fosterer Chris Arundel, who sadly passed away on the eve of the NGG 2021.

All the dogs were winners, coping brilliantly with the day.  As one first time visitor, who didn’t know about greyhounds, asked - how can you have so many dogs in one place with no fuss and no barking?

The show rings were surrounded by stalls offering treats for dogs and for their people:  from greyhound themed fire pits to cashmere wraps, buffalo horn chews to beautiful leather collars, original artworks to gin. There was no shortage of opportunity for retail therapy!

So, the ‘top dogs’ were decided upon, the raffle drawn, the cake stall emptied, dog treats consumed, many purchases made, agility tried by the  adventurous and more than a few sausages bobbed for!





(Photo credits to Andy Bucktrout, Wendy Orford and Nicki Maidwell)

We hope that everyone had an enjoyable day and would like to say a massive thank-you to everybody.
Thank-you to everyone that attended our show, supported us & our stall-holders

Thank-you to all the stall-holders for supporting Greyhound Trust West Yorkshire by having stalls at the Northern Greyhound Gathering & we hope that you will join us again next year.

Waterton’s reserve Gin
The Phodographer
Charlie’s Wooden Crafts
Lilymoo Canine Couture
Krafty Sew N Sew
Storms Raw Emporium
The Innocent Hound
Grants Of Leeds
Kathryn Anne Rowe Illustrations
Tender Touch Therapy
Handmade By Sarah
Treats2sit4
Leela Rose Life Castings & Keepsakes
Yorkshire Dales Crafts
Tilly Fox
Plants in Glass
Street Dog Designs
Northern Ducky
Forever Living
The Sighthound Store
Oh So Connie
Giz A Goodie
Eleanor Rogerson Enamel And Copper
Linbee Dog Rehoming
Danielle Hannah Designs
Everythings A Hound
Craft Genie
Crafty Lil Hands
Almost Forgotten
Kates Kreations

Thank-you to the GTWY volunteers for their help this weekend.
Thank-you to our judges, to Andy, our photographer, and remember that as owners, you all took the best dog back home with you.




Planning will soon begin for the Northern Greyhound Gathering 2023!
The date - July 9th, 2023
The place - Wetherby Racecourse
The weather - who knows?

But, whatever the weather, the aim will be for everyone to have another HAPPY DAY!



What next for Greyhound Trust West Yorkshire?  
Homing greyhounds of course!  
Still young when their racing life ends, these amazing retired athletes have tremendous adaptability –they are people-loving, calm and gentle, and don't require vast amounts of exercise.  They just need love and security.
  There are usually around 20 greyhounds waiting for homes at the kennels and as soon as a lucky one moves out there is another waiting to take its place.
The West Yorkshire branch, led by Kath Armitage, has earned respect for an honest, no-nonsense approach and a determination to match people with the right greyhound for them and their situation.  
So greyhounds have gone to live with people of all ages;  with families and single people, in town and country, houses and flats, and even on a houseboat. 



Volunteers run 2 ‘Drop In’ Socials every month, at Emley and Ferrybridge;  monthly Meet and Greets at Kirkstall Abbey; and outings to shows, pet stores and local events. 
All of this to promote homing - to find loving, forever homes for greyhounds - and to provide lifetime support to those who take greyhounds to share their lives.  



More details can be found on the GTWY website:
 www.greyhoundtrustwestyorks.org