Hosted by Martin and Philippa Clunes, this year’s event drew people, ponies and dogs from far and wide to raise funds for Dorset County Hospital Charity Cancer Appeal
This year marked the 10th anniversary of Buckham Fair and the weather was set fair with a cooling breeze as the big day dawned on Buckham Down.
Hosted on the Clunes’ family farm, just outside Beaminster, over the last decade this fun-filled dog and pony show has raised over £512,500 for Dorset charities. This year it was for the Dorset County Hospital Charity Cancer Appeal.
Alongside all the usual dog and pony show events Buckham is famous for, were some thrilling spectacles in the main display ring including The Stunt Dogs of Film and TV, featuring Martin’s co-star Dodger from ITV’s Doc Martin. Crowds were wowed by the breathtaking riding stunts of The Devil’s Horsemen. There was also a dalmatian and corgi parade and an attempt at a Guinness World Record for the most dogs sitting on command.
“On behalf of Philippa and all the Buckham Fair committee I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who made it such a special day,” said Martin Clunes, who was judging in the Novelty Dog Show Ring, sponsored by Ruff & Tumble, alongside his former Men Behaving Badly flatmate.
“The dog even more like Neil Morrissey was even more like Neil Morrissey, all our displays were fantastic from The Stunt Dogs of Film & TV to the Merion Owen and The Quack Pack, One Man & His Gundogs and of course The Devil’s Horsemen, not to mention so many corgis that I actually managed to bathe in them. We don’t know the final amount raised, and we haven’t heard from Guinness whether we made our world record yet so stay tuned for further news, but above all thank you to everyone who made this such a very special event.”
One of the most heart-warming events at Buckham is the presentation of Best Rescue Re-Homed Champion, sponsored by Kitson and Trotman Solicitors, Girling and Bowditch Veterinary Practice and Mole Country Stores. The finalists that paraded in the main arena were drawn from qualifying rounds in local dog shows in Dorset, Devon and Somerset. Best Rescue Dog 2018 was Lula.
Lula, an American Staffordshire Terrier x English Bull Terrier, was found abandoned with her mum and litter mates. Unfortunately Lula and mum were the only two who survived and both were very poorly. Lula’s mum was found a loving home via a re-homing centre. However the young puppy struggled to settle with new owners, and was very destructive and suffered from separation anxiety. Lula was totally deaf, and it was only discovered when she found her forever home with Izzy Snow. “With lots of vet tests we discovered that Lula had been badly beaten before she was three weeks old causing three skull fractures,” said Izzy. “With a lot of time and patience Lula and I have found our own little routine. I have PTSD and before Lula came into my life I rarely left the house.”
In just six month Izzy and Lula have made an amazing partnership. “She lives with me and my seven-year-old daughter and two cats and is the perfect family dog.” Lula, who is 14 months old, is also slowly learning to be Izzy’s PTSD Support Dog. “This has given me the capacity to get out and about. We needed each other and we support each other and I’m so proud at just how far this girl has come.”
The day drew to a close with the Heavy Horse Show where Martin proudly showed his magnificent Clydesdales to the crowds. Buckham Fair is hanging up its leads and harnesses for 2019 as its having a year off.
Find out more at buckhamfair.co.uk.
