Canine capers in the Market Place

May 2023

FREE, family-focused events are among many things for which our City Council deserves to be congratulated.

Take the themed Sunday Street Sellers markets, which run monthly throughout the summer.

Last weekend’s canine-focused entertainment was a dog lover’s delight, and you didn’t have to splash any cash to join in with your pooch or just sit in the sun and watch the fun.

After attending the annual civic service at St Thomas’s, I swapped my robe and hat (what a relief, that hat is so uncomfortable) for jeans and trainers, and pitched in.

I particularly wanted to do my bit for the unsung heroes of Solstice Missing Dogs, a small team of very knowledgeable volunteers who give help and advice at all hours to anyone whose pet goes awol. It’s amazing how busy they are, in addition to their day jobs.

As well as tracking and recapturing hounds that are often traumatised and panicky after being on the loose, sometimes for days or even weeks on end, they are keen to educate people on what to do and what not to do if they’re trying to help in a search. You can find out more on their Facebook page.

I was soon roped in to help judge the ‘dog with the best trick’ and ‘best rescue dog’ categories, a mission impossible when they were all so cute and their owners so proud, some with such moving stories to tell.

Other worthy canine causes featured among the stalls, alongside a range of arts and crafts, and there was even a mini agility arena. I hope this truly good-natured and inclusive event will be back next year.

A pat on the back for all the competitors, and for our hardworking staff, who also had a whole weekend of Mayor-making celebrations to organise.

Herding councillors back and forth across town is not the easiest of tasks, as we’d all agree. Even after two years I still need to be reminded of where to stand in the procession!

But that brings to mind the need to say thanks to another unassuming hero, our outgoing

Mayor Tom Corbin, who has worked incredibly hard over the past year and taken such genuine interest in the many engagements he’s undertaken.

Congratulations and good luck to his successor, Atiqul Hoque, who I am sure will be just as brilliant!