Canine capers planned for popular Pride event
A dog show with a difference is seeking to find North East England's prettiest pooch, most camp canine and hound with the feeliest fur. The Paws with Pride dog show is one of the summer events being held as part of Northern Pride 2010, which celebrates the region's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities.
It takes place on Sunday, July 25 between 12.30pm and 4.30pm at Leazes Park, Newcastle, and will be hosted by BBC North East journalist Chris Jackson.
The show will feature 12 different categories – including waggiest tail, cheekiest expression and most appealing eyes – and dog owners from across the region are being encouraged to join the fun and show off their much-loved pets. For the more flamboyant dogs and their owners, there’s a chance to don their best fancy dress and compete for most camp or butch pet and owner.
And although the event is primarily aimed at the region's LGBT communities, organisers say everyone is welcome to go along.
Ken Mortimer, who is organising Paws with Pride and will be going along with his two dogs – Shelties Dudley and Toby – said: “Paws with Pride is going to be great fun and we're expecting hundreds of people to come along
“It's essentially an event for the LGBT communities but it's also a real family event and is open to absolutely everyone.
“We want to bring together and unite people from different parts of the community who all share a love for animals.”
As well as the dog show, the event will be a chance for people to see a range of different creatures, including alpacas, birds of prey, a tarantula, Shetland ponies, guinea pigs and giant rabbits.
Stepney Bank Stables will be offering pony rides and there will also be stalls, a bouncy castle and refreshments.
It is free to attend the event but entry into the dog show costs £1 per dog, per class. Money raised will be used to support future Northern Pride events.
Dogs can be entered into the show on the day from 11.30am and under Kennel Club rules dogs must be at least six months old.
Winners in each class will receive a rosette and certificate as well as doggy treats provided by pet food makers James Wellbeloved.
People can get more information about the event by emailing pawswithpride@ymail.com or by checking out the Paws with Pride page on Facebook or the Northern Pride website www.npride.org.uk
ENDS
Notes to editors
Photos showing Paws with Pride organiser Ken Mortimer with his Shelties Dudley, aged 2 and Toby, aged 7 are attached.
Photo opportunities will also be available on the day.
For further information or to arrange photos please contact Jane Byrne at The Communications Co-operative on 07794 290 176 or email: jane@thecommunicationscooperative.co.uk
Pride events celebrate the LGBT community and commemorate their struggle for equal rights. The first Pride events were held in the USA in 1970 and they now take place all over the world.
2010 will be the third Northern Pride; the first took place in 2008.
Northern Pride is organised by Northern Pride Events Limited a not-for-profit community interest company whose senior management committee comprises of members of the local LGBT Communities.
Northern Pride is sponsored by NHS Northeast, Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Council, Your Homes Newcastle (YHN), Gentoo, Gateshead Housing Company, Unison, Unite the Union, ARCH, Mesmac, NASUWT, FBU and Fat Boy Leisure.
Jane Byrne
07794 290 176
jane@thecommunicationscooperative.co.uk
thecommunicationscooperative.co.uk
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