FOR Mary Farley, who has been organising the Kennel Club Companion Dog Show in Alton for more than 30 years, there was an added bonus this year as the town council didn’t charge her to rent the site in Anstey Park.

“Which,” she told the Herald, “helped us to boost the money we raised (£224), but I plan to make it up from club funds to £400 for our Medical Detection Dogs Charity.”

This year’s show on, Sunday, June 26, also had another plus: the number of dogs entering was up on last year, and a woman brought a camper van filled with several different breeds ready to enter various classes.

As always, the four-legged contestants were on their best behaviour as they paraded around the show ring in front of the judges – Jane Barns, pedigree class, Janet Kettlewhite, novelty and Penny Peters obedience.

The puppies drew a big audience as they bounced along enjoying the parade and a whippet was chosen as Best in Show.

For Mrs Farley, who is 91, the show was a personal triumph because in January she broke her pelvis when a dog she was holding for someone else suddenly “took off” and she fell.

She admitted she felt tired after the show “But I was determined to get through it as I am not walking very well yet.”

Nonetheless, Mrs Farley is hoping to organise another show next year, and expressed grateful thanks to her band of helpers for their work in making sure that this year’s show ran so smoothly.

Mrs Farley is also determined to continue running the dog training classes she has held for 40 years at Chawton Village Hall.

“There will be the last two sessions before we break for the summer but they will definitely start again in September,” she assured dog owners.