Come woof, come all to festival for 4 legged friends

THE countdown is on for a weekend of canine capers as DogFest is coming to Tatton Park in June. Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity which has a re-homing centre in Merseyside, is the charity partner for this year's dog focused festival and will be welcoming dog lovers to the Dogs Trust Village at the event.

The Village will have lots of fun activities to take part in as well as information about some of the Dogs Trust dogs currently looking for their forever homes. There will also be reunion parades for former residents of Dogs Trust who have now found their forever families, to take part in.

Louise Round, Head of Supporter Relations at Dogs Trust, says:- "This is the second year we have been DogFest's charity partner and we, had a fantastic time last year, and so did our dogs. It was wonderful to see so many who were having a great day out with their forever families. Anyone wanting to raise money for Dogs Trust can take part in the Big Dog Walk at the event. There will be walks of 2k and 4k, and 1 especially for puppies, and there are activities for children to take part in along the way. Also, the walks will take participants to parts of the park others won't see! Our Dog School colleagues will also be there holding interactive training activities as well as doing demos and giving dog owners top tips to take home."

Visitors to the doggie dream day out will be able to take part in everything from an agility course and flyball to a hay bale race, a fun dog show and doggie diving. BAFTA Award winning TV Presenter, Michaela Strachan will also be in attendance to meet visitors and no doubt offer lots of tummy rubs to our 4 legged guests.

There is also an action packed main arena with demonstrations from hugely talented canines and their trainers, including TikTok sensation Lucy Heath, and Crufts Freestyle winner Nicci Hindson will be showing off her dancing dogs in the obedience ring.

Team members from Dogs Trust Merseyside and Manchester will be at the event accompanied by some of the lovely dogs currently being cared for at the centre whilst they wait to find their forever homes.

1 dog waiting for his furry tail ending is Oliver who is an absolute delight.

Georgina Lowery, Dogs Trust Merseyside Centre Manager, says:- "Oliver is a gorgeous boy, who is outgoing and confident and simply oozes charm as he struts around the centre making friends with everyone! He would suit an active family who are willing to put some time in to some basic training with him. He adores being in the company of people and we hope that as dog-lovers flock to DogFest, Oliver finds the family he's looking for."

You can book your tickets via the Dogs Trust website Every ticket booked via the Dogs Trust website will mean 15% of the ticket price goes to Dogs Trust, helping the charity care for around 14,000 dogs every year.

If you'd like to find out more about Oliver, or any of the dogs waiting for their forever homes at Dogs Trust, please visit:- DogsTrust.Org.UK.
 

THE the national governing body Motorsport UK has launched StreetCar to encourage more people to get behind the wheel and enjoy the sport; overturning the age old perception that it is out of reach for most people.

StreetCar will showcase the existing vibrant grassroots motorsport scene, and demonstrate that the sport is affordable, fun and accessible whilst acting as the enabler to drive participation in the club community.

A wide range of low cost 'grassroots' disciplines are available for new and existing members of the community, comprising 12 StreetCar disciplines that provide a wide variety of format and challenge.

Segmented into Autotest, Trials and Cross Country and Rally, the disciplines are:-

► Autotest, AutoSOLO and Production Car Autotest.

► Trials and untimed Cross Country events.

► Rally including;- Touring Assemblies, Treasure Hunts, Navigational Scatter, Navigational Rally, Road and Historic Rally, 12 Car Rally and Targa Rally.

All 12 disciplines can be participated in with a standard unmodified road car without special safety kit and to drive only a free Motorsport UK RS Clubman licence is required.

Motorsport UK will work with its Regional Associations and motorsport clubs to promote clear pathways into the disciplines, demonstrate the ease in which newcomers to motorsport can get involved and how existing community members can try something new for the 1st time.

Hugh Chambers, Chief Executive Officer at Motorsport UK, commented:- "StreetCar is motorsports best kept secret. The 12 disciplines are affordable, can be enjoyed in any legal road going car, and there are events held across the UK throughout the year. Our StreetCar campaign will help bring these events and our community to life, showcasing their vibrancy whilst providing a framework for our clubs to attract new audiences, increase participation and deliver new club members. From the buzz of an AutoSOLO, to the uphill challenge in Trials and the exploration of a Navigational Rally, there is something for everyone in StreetCar. We strongly encourage anyone who's been wanting to get involved in motorsport to get in touch and start their journey today."

To support the growth of StreetCar and participation across the disciplines, Motorsport UK will provide clubs with a framework to enable new and existing members to take part.

So far in the launch phase, 8 Motorsport UK clubs have received StreetCar status including:- Anglia Motor Sport Club, Basingstoke Motor Club, Devizes and District Motor Club, Farnborough Motor Club, Isle of Wight Car Club, Loughborough Car Club, Middlesex County Automobile Club, and The Sporting Car Club of Norfolk.

All these launch clubs have signed up to the StreetCar Charter, providing a commitment to the initiative. The clubs have pledged to initiate new people into the sport, help and guide them at events to ensure they enjoy their experience. Furthermore, the events they organise will be branded as official Motorsport UK StreetCar events.

Motorsport UK will provide guidance and help to all StreetCar clubs. They will all receive a StreetCar toolkit, outlining how to welcome new participants, organise events and ensure best practice is applied in their marketing and communications.

Motorsport UK will also provide clubs customisable branded assets, promotion of their events in Revolution and on Motorsport UK's digital channels as well as physical branding to bring their StreetCar events to life.

By the end of 2022, it is planned for up to 50 clubs to be active in StreetCar across the UK.

StreetCar is open to existing motorsport enthusiasts and newcomers wanting to experience the thrill of motorsport for the 1st time.

A dedicated StreetCar website and Facebook Group have been established and will act as the 1st touchpoint for those wanting to get involved.

Participants will be encouraged to sign up and outline the disciplines they're most interested in before joining the growing Facebook community.

After signing up, Motorsport UK will provide tailored support on how to participate and find the most relevant StreetCar club and event for them.

Once a participant is ready to go, at their 1st event they will be greeted by the StreetCar club's Competitor Liaison Officer, who will be responsible for engaging with every newcomer as they begin their motorsport journey.

From there, they'll get behind the wheel of their road car and enjoy the experience of their selected discipline.

Motorsport UK's Bicester Headquarters hosted the official launch of StreetCar. Following a launch presentation, the 1st StreetCar event, an AutoSOLO, was held on the Bicester Heritage paddock which enabled guests to have a go. Motorsport UK's StreetCar MINI was used by the participants with 7 time British Autotest Champion, Alastair Moffatt, and Motorsport UK Academy members:- Jack Meakin, Florin Mazilu, Briannie Davis and George Davis showing how it's done at the top of the sport.

The StreetCar MINI will now head to StreetCar events throughout the UK, showcasing the initiative and enabling participants to start their motorsport journey in an everyday road car.