Dog Show boosts appeal
An inaugural summer dog show at Glastonbury Abbey has been hailed a success after it raised more than £777 for the Rescue Our Ruins Appeal.
The event was the brainchild of the Abbeys Head Gatekeeper Dorothy King and member of the grounds team, Jane Bentley. Dozens of people and their dogs took part with one class even having 28 entries.
Dorothy said: “We were amazed at the number of people who came. Dogs and handlers all enjoyed themselves and most went away with a rosette or raffle prize and happy memories of a lovely day. Thank you to our sponsors , raffle prize donors and all those who helped to make the day a huge success. Thank you to all who came along and supported us despite the awful weather in the morning. Many people asked if we could make it an annual event which we will now be considering.”
The Rescue Our Ruins Appeal has been launched to find the funds to preserve parts of the abbey’s unique and beautiful buildings for future generations.
The Lady Chapel and Crypt, Abbot’s Kitchen and North Wall are the three areas which will benefit from the Abbey’s appeal for major conservation and visitor enhancement projects.
To date just over £4,000 has now been raised and Janet Bell, acting director said: “The response in difficult economic times has been heart-warming. The dog show organised by staff in their own time was the second fund-raising event in days as members of the Abbey team also held a book sale which helped boost the coffers.
“We are now hoping shops and organisations will take a collection box or offer sponsorship and we are planning more fund-raising events to help further.”
The next fund-raising event is a book sale at 2pm on Tuesday August 14 at the Gatehouse.
To find out more visit www.glastonburyabbey.com/rescueourruins or call 01458 832267
Added: 9th August 2012