We’ve been invited back by Martin Clunes (aka Doc Martin and one of the Men Behaving Badly) to appear at his annual dog and horse show in Beaminster, Dorset this Sunday.
Everything is for charity and Martin is kind enough to hold a reception the evening before for all the contributors who give their time for free in support of this year’s charity, the Dorset Air Ambulance.
It is extraordinary how popular this event is: last year, 17,000 turned up and more are hoped for this year. It’s a really relaxed event. All the prices are reduced by stall holders as all proceeds go to charity (I seem to remember paying £1 for a coffee last year). And the entrance fee is very modest too!
Martin himself is clearly the big draw, judging many of the dog classes (including the dog who looks most like his co-star Neil Morrissey who will also be there) and entering his own Clydesdales into the heavy horse competitions. He also makes a point of mingling and meeting as many members of the public as possible.
We are on in the main arena at 1330 for 40 minutes or so. Kim and I have a new, much improved routine that shows off the dogs’ amazing abilities better, so we’re hoping to repeat the performances we delivered in Yorkshire last week. The weather is meant to be breezy and overcast – perfect for us, but not so appealing perhaps for the punters. Fingers crossed for a big turnout.
www.buckhamfair.co.uk
Today we watched an educational, entertaining and really enjoyable demonstration by Stephen and his team.
He passed on a wealth of knowledge in dog handling and training in the most amusing way which captured the attention of the whole audience and watching his dogs want to do well for him was quite inspirational.
Stephen`s use of reward and praise clearly showed how to get the best from your dog.