130 |SCOOTERING|AUGUST2019
Bulldog Run10th
Anniversary
T
en years agoTina Hall of the
Midhurst Detours SC
decided she wanted to find a
way to help the local Bulldog
Rescue in Midhurst, run by
Dizzy andTania Holmes. The brilliant
work they do with sick and unwanted
Bulldogs is amazing, and so the annual
‘Bulldog Run’ began.
Originally people would donate bags of
dog food, enough to keep the kennels going
for awhole year.Overthe years, this would
grow into other essentials for the kennels,
and now in money donations towards the
upkeep and vet bills for the centre. During
the run, people were able to come and
meet the volunteers at the centre, the dogs
themselves and enjoyacuppa .Then it was
over to the pub to listen to DJs and live
acoustic musicians. The car park at the
Greyhound Pub was just the right size to
accommodate all the scooters and put on
reasonably priced burgers and drinks.
After several yearsTina decided to ask
Area 51 to take over,which we were happy
to do. When taking over an established
event it is always tempting to change
things, but why change something that
isn’t broken?
The main meeting place was
McDonald’sinChichester Many arrived
early and got themselves breakfast/burgers
as the time was getting on. Some had
travelled from Portsmouth/Gosport area,
while others were fromWorthing,West
Sussex. Many of the people attending had
been coming to all 10 Bulldogs, including
Tina herself. AsIwalked around to sell
patches, Pete Davies did the same with
his Bulldog stickers, all our proceeds
going towards the Bulldog Rescue.
Tony Sivyer and myself then took the
lead and left Chichester,with Area 51
marshalling (Adrian, Stuart, Alan,Wayne).
The ride was wonderful through the
Midhurst countryside, passing Goodwood,
Weald and Downland.Iwould definitely
recommendaride around this area.We
carried on through the town and up to
Carron Lane where the Bulldog Rescue
and rehoming is situated. Already there
were scooters from A5, Lost Souls and
others from north of the Downs. Members
of Area 51 started serving teas, coffees
and their wonderful cakes made by Carina,
Jen, Chris, Louand Fiona, while loads of
donations were coming in. The bulldogs
were on form, makingacute impression
on all who walked through to see them.
Someeven took adoption forms.
Soon it was time to move on to the
Greyhound pub for sounds by Rob Skelt
from Pier Pressure, with burgers and
pulled pork on sale outside andabar and
aroast dinner available indoors.
As the day came to an end, we made an
amazing £1,691.58 for the Bulldog
Rescue and Rehoming Centre. There were
brill photos taken by Ali Richards and
Pete Davies, and too many clubs to
mention who deserveamassive thank
you. After 10 years it has beenabrilliant
experience. Fingers crossed for the next
10 years.
SarahGeorge
