CANAL-LOVING CANINES WANTED FOR STANDEDGE CHARITY DOG SHOW

Standedge’s very first dog show is set to get tails wagging this Sunday 1 June, as owners are invited to enter their favourite pooch into the fun event in aid of The Blue Cross, Britain’s pet charity.

Dogs with the most appealing eyes, best trick or even who look most like their owners are among those taking part in the competition being organised by The Blue Cross and British Waterways. Prizes will be given to the top three in each category, with everyone who enters receiving a free goodie bag.

Kirklees’ alternative to Crufts, Canines on Canals, will be held in the Lily Turner picnic area next to the Visitor Centre with 10 categories at just £1 per class. In addition there is an opportunity to raise funds for The Blue Cross by doing a 1, 3, 5 or 7 mile sponsored dog walk along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Blue Cross education experts will be on hand to give advice to pet owners whilst Kirklees’ Dog Wardens will be providing a microchipping* service and giving guidance on responsible dog ownership.

James Dean, Standedge Visitor Centre Manager, says: “I’m really excited about the dog show – it’s going to be a fun family day and a great way to get more people enjoying our beautiful waterways. The fact that it’s in aid of a well deserving charity makes it even more worthwhile.”

Julie Donn, Northern Regional Fundraiser for The Blue Cross said: “We are delighted to be able to work with British Waterways to support responsible pet ownership along the canal towpaths.  We hope that lots of owners and dogs will enjoy the walk along the canal and also take part in the fun dog show and raise lots of money towards the work of the Blue Cross.”

*Microchipping is as an effective way of permanently linking pets to their owners, increasing the chances of them being reunited if the animal is lost, stolen or strays.

Registration for the dog show is from 10.00am – 1:00pm at the Visitor Centre on Sunday 1 June. Sponsorship forms for the dog walk are available from Marsden Information Point, Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre or from The Blue Cross by contacting Julie Donn on 01472 353435 or julie.donn@bluecross.org.uk.  

Canines on Canals is just one of the events taking place at Standedge this year. For further information pick up a leaflet from Standedge at the Tunnel End Café, local tourist information centres, log on to www.standedge.co.uk, or contact enquiries.yorkshire@britishwaterways.co.uk.

SUMMER WATER SAFETY SESSIONS ON THE GRAND UNION CANAL IN SLOUGH

***PHOTO OPPORTUNITY***

When:             10am, Tuesday 3 June 2008

Where:            Canal-side, Bloom Park, Middle Green Road, Slough, SL3 6DF

What:              Pupils from Ryvers Primary School attend water safety sessions, try out angling and learn about fish in the canal and inland waterways.

With summer just around the corner, a group of organisations in Slough have joined forces to highlight the importance of enjoying canals and rivers safely in the warmer weather to local children. British Waterways London, Slough Borough Council, The Environment Agency, and Thames 21 are holding activity sessions for pupils from Ryvers and Wexham Court Primary Schools at Bloom Park on the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 June 2008.

The sessions, which will focus on key water safety rules such as the need to be SAFE (Stay Away From the Edge) near canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs, will also highlight the natural habitats around the waterways and give the children a chance to try out angling.

British Waterways London’s learning services officer, Elaine Stanley said: “The Grand Union Canal in Slough and the wider waterways network are popular places to visit during the summer. However, we all need to make sure we enjoy the waterways safely.  We’ve been working hard over the last few years to get the safety message out to children and parents, stressing that people stay away from the edge, that children must be accompanied by an adult and swimming must be confined to recognised swimming areas such as swimming pools. Supervised activities offer the best way for children to enjoy the waterways which is why we are organising these taster sessions for local school children.”

Thames 21 will be coordinating the angling lessons for the school children. Professional angling coach, Grant Fear said: “Young people love to try new things and angling is always a popular activity on the waterside. However, it’s important that everyone spending time on our rivers and canals is aware of the risks that surround them and knows how to enjoy them safely.”

Slough Council has supported the event, which will also include sessions run by the Environment Agency about the fish that can be found in the waterways. Susan Duncan, events manager for Slough Borough Council commented: “The canal offers a valuable green corridor through Slough and is home to a wide range of wildlife. By working with British Waterways London, Thames 21 and the Environment Agency we hope to promote the safe and responsible use of the waterways and the wider natural environment in the local area.”

Sailing takes on a new look, perhaps this will encourage more people to enjoy the sport with the start of a new venture in the Ishares cup.

Although not completely a new idea the Ishares cup will be a race which can be televised because unlike other sailing races all you usually see is the start of a race and once the boats are at sea you rarely hear about them till the finish.

Virtually unknown sports which get televised, soon gain a vast audience, take darts for instance once just a pub game, but once televised it now enjoys millions of fans and wannabe dart players.

Well the Ishares cup which started on 30^th May 2008, this sailing event will see boats racing around a small course close to shore and will be featured from different venues around Europe.

Switzerland being the first venue and surrounded by ice capped mountains, miles from any ocean will really bring home the message that sailing events are changing.

The races will be short, some only 10 minutes in duration, thus giving the sport a chance to get recognised and probably inserted into the betting shops as punters love to bet on short outcomes.

All that the Ishares cup will bring to the general publics eye will be good for future sailing events and youngsters who may one day sail into the record books.