Tenterden Lions Classic Vehicle & Dog Show 2019, Pistons & Paws
September 2019
"Sun Shines on Pistons & Paws"
With brilliant sunshine on the hottest September day in years, Tenterden Lions Club’s couldn’t have wanted for better weather to hold its classic vehicle and dog show. Now in its third year, the show which is held at Little Halden Place Farm, saw over 350 classic vehicles turn up to give around 2000 visitors a day to remember.
In proper style, to open the show, Councillor Kate Walder arrived in a chauffeur driven classic convertible Rolls-Royce Corniche adding to the occasion. Thanking Tenterden Lions for organising the show and Mrs Evelyn Luck for lending her fields, Councillor Walder went on to wish all present a great day and declared ‘Pistons & Paws’ open.
And what a sight to see; row after row of cars, polished to perfection giving visitors a fantastic chance to look at the vehicles and chat with their lucky owners. Many cars were up to be judged and there was an exciting air of competition with prizes and rosettes to be won. The judges had a daunting task to select winners amongst so many perfectly prepared machines. Chief Judge Chris Booth, owner of the Morgan Museum in Rolvenden, said “it’s always difficult to decide with so many beautiful cars to choose from”
And not just cars. More than 100 pooches, proudly pampered and groomed, were on display in the dog ring, taking part in a variety of classes allowing dogs of all types to compete for prizes. From tiny puppies to German Shepherds together with pedigree and crossbreeds, the visitors were kept entertained throughout the day.
With beautiful sunshine and a temperature in the high twenties, no one needed to go hungry or thirsty. The show had a bar in the main marquee and seven different food stands offering a variety of eats from burgers to butties, Italian barbeque to American ribs, ice cream and doughnuts, enough to satisfy just about every appetite.
Asked at the end of the event, a spokesperson from the Tenterden Lions said’ “this is our third year of Pistons & Paws and it has been a great success - we don’t know yet what it has raised financially, but as Lions, we will ensure that it is local causes, in the main, that will benefit. Our motto is ‘We Serve’ and this event is a good example of what we do to serve the local community – it takes a lot of hard work to organise, but judging by today, it’s all worth it – we can’t wait till Pistons & Paws 2020”
And specifically at this year's Dog Show
"What a truly magnificent day for mid-September, as we welcomed 103 of our canine friends to take part in 17 classes, this resulted in some very large classes up to a maximum of 33 entries in the Most Handsome Dog, with many other most appealing and funny dogs, including the Fancy Dogs who made this day such a success. At the end of a very hot and busy day, the final class in the Main Ring gave us Henry the Shihtzu and Rosie the Lurcher as Best in Show and Runner-Up.
Our grateful thanks must go to Judge Pat Milham and Secretaries Julie Hammond and Heather Douglas, all of whom have ably assisted Evelyn Luck in the many previous Charity Dog Shows she has organised over the 20+ years, how lucky we are at Tenterden Lions Club that she has now chosen to run this event on our behalf.
We would also like to thank all competitors for their support, assistance and understanding on what was a very hot day, lots of water was drunk and shade sought. One last big thank you to all our sponsors, most especially The Bathroom Shop who kindly sponsored all the rosettes which were so hotly competed for and well received by all of our winning dogs and owners from 1st to 6th place in each class.
With all of our friends’ help thank you again, see you in 2020.”
