Kentish Express Ashford & District
Puppy love for visitors to festive fair
Clodagh, a Guide Dogs for the blind trainee puppy, will be the star attraction at this year’s charity Christmas fair at Smarden’s Charter Hall.
The event will take place on Saturday, October 29 from 10am to 2.30pm.
Clodagh’s trainers, Lorna and Stephen Fryer of Ashford said: “Clodagh is a five month old Labrador/Golden Retriever cross puppy who is in the early stages of being prepared for training as a Guide Dog for the blind.
“Pure white when she arrived at six weeks old, she is gradually getting darker. She is very calm and well balanced and enjoys her life with our own three pet dogs. She will enjoy meeting visitors to the charity Christmas fair.”
Other charities taking part include the British Heart Foundation, Breast Cancer Kent, Canine Partners, Hi Kent, Labrador Rescue, Mencap, Pilgrim’s Hospice, Rolvenden Cat Rescue, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute and the RSPCA.
Other attractions will include woodturning and other craft stalls and the popular Phoenix Cards. Smarden WI members will provide home-made refreshments and be selling jams, jellies and chutneys.
Smarden Local History Society will sell a variety of Smarden merchandise including its most recent publication which commemorates the lives of Smarden people who gave their lives during the Second World War.
Organiser Gill Bromley said: “The fair, begun 31 years ago, is always a lovely start to the Christmas season. It gets bigger and better every year. We will have cards, gifts and stocking fillers galore and hope to break last year’s total of over £5,000 for the various charities.”