Hop along to Dobbies' Southport store this Easter
Photo by:- Tea Stewart Attwood Photography

DOBBIES Garden Centres is welcoming families and 4 legged friends to hop along and get set for spring at its brand-new Easter-themed events, taking place at its Southport store.

Families can book a brand-new Easter Bunny Afternoon Tea, taking place on:- Monday, 21 April 2025.

Children can tuck into a selection of freshly made bunny shaped sandwiches, filled with jam, cheddar cheese, ham, and tuna mayonnaise. They can also enjoy Dobbies' famous scones, served with Cornish clotted cream and a pot of jam, and a delicious selection of sweet treats, including:- a mini doughnut, gingerbread man and a waffle finger with dipping chocolate and sugar strands and chocolate chip toppings. Adults can select a hot drink of filter coffee or tea, plus a slice of triple chocolate cake, coffee and walnut cake or Persian lemon cake. Plus adults can also enjoy Afternoon Tea; 3 tiers of delicious sweet and savoury treats.

After everyone has eaten, children will seek out the Easter Bunny, who will be hopping about the Southport store, and get involved in spring inspired activities and games including:- the bunny hop relay. They'll then enjoy a hands on planting experience, learning how to grow their very own lettuce. During the event, children will also be given a mini Malteser chocolate bunny.

Also new for this year, Dobbies' Southport store is hosting its Hopping Hounds event. Dogs will get the chance to sniff out an Easter egg trail around the store before receiving an Easter themed toy and money off vouchers for the garden centre and restaurant. There will also be photograph opportunities with the Easter Bunny to have a keepsake of the experience.

Customers will be able to add a donation while booking the event, helping with Dogs Trust's mission of caring for, rehabilitating, and rehoming thousands of dogs every year.

Well behaved dogs on a lead are warmly welcomed in the Southport store and in a dedicated area of the restaurant if paw-rents are hoping to make a day of it. Explore the fantastic range of pet products at Dobbies, with everything from healthy treats and dog attire to terrific toys.

Customers can also take part in Dobbies' monthly social media competition, Dogs at Dobbies, by posting a picture and using the hashtag #dogsatdobbies to be in a chance of winning a gift voucher.

Back by popular demand this year is also the Easter Bunny Breakfast, taking place on:- Friday, 18 and Saturday, 19 April, is a great opportunity to gather the whole family for a fun filled morning.

Families at the Southport store can get stuck into an egg cellent breakfast, with children and adults having the choice of a traditional cooked breakfast, a vegetarian breakfast or a breakfast roll. Children can also opt for a continental breakfast of croissant, jam, yoghurt and banana. Kids will have the choice of an apple juice, orange juice or water, and adults will be able to choose from a pot of tea or regular coffee.

After everyone has eaten, children will seek out the Easter Bunny, and take part in the same themed activities as for the Afternoon Tea. For more information about the Easter events and participating stores, visit:- Dobbies.Com/Events.

Dobbies' Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is excited to welcome families along to the in-store activities this Easter. She said:- "We're looking forward to launching our new Afternoon Tea event in our Southport store, bringing an alternative option to families, and a nice activity for grandparents to get involved in. Our Easter Bunny Breakfast is always popular with families across the country and is a great way to bring everyone together for a morning of seasonal fun, packed full of activities to keep the kids entertained. Dog events are becoming increasingly popular for dog owners to spoil their pooches, and we can't wait to see welcome our 4 legged friends for a fun event this Easter."

RSPCA appeal after 2 cats dumped in carrier outside vet practice

THE RSPCA is appealing for information after 2 cats were found dumped in a pet carrier outside a vets on the Wirral.

The cats, named Maramalade and Lemonade, by rescuers are thought to be mother and daughter and were found on:- Wednesday, 12 February 2025, by staff as they went to work at:- Broadway Vets, on Kings Lane, Higher Bebington.

Marmalade, aged 1, and Lemonade, aged 6 months, were frightened but otherwise appeared in good health and are now in the care of the Wirral and Chester branch of the RSPCA.

RSPCA Inspector Caren Goodman-James is investigating as is keen to trace the person responsible for abandoning the pets. She said:- "We are looking to try and locate an owner, so if anyone has any 1st hand information about these cats they can give us a call via the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on:- 03001238018. They are very sweet and are now looking for a new home together. We know times are tough at the moment and the cost of living is really affecting families who are struggling with their pets and the costs that come with them. But we urge people who are having difficulties caring for their pets to seek help from charities and organisations out there. A misunderstanding about the true cost of pet ownership is 1 of the main reasons why we believe that animals end up being abandoned; so we'd urge people to do their research and to consider rescuing instead of buying."

Both Marmalade and Lemonade are now looking for a new home together and you can find out more about them here.

The RSPCA is providing dedicated cost of living support for worried pet owners, which includes:- a telephone helpline on:- 03001230650 and an online hub, which has lots of practical tips and advice, including:- details of pet food bank schemes.

It's the responsibility of us all to show kindness and compassion to all animals; everyone for every kind. If you find a sick or injured animal, or an animal who is trapped or has been abandoned, it's important to get them the help they need as quickly as possible, so the RSPCA have put lots of advice on it's website to help the public help animals themselves.