A great start to the New Year with our first walk of the year attracting 44 hounds and 6 kennel dogs. The kennel dogs were Tanya (Red Muzzle, black coat) Buster (Orange Muzzle), Timmy (Purple Muzzle), Ken (White muzzle) and Harry (Red muzzle).
After a walk around the local footpaths on the short walk and Alton Water on the longer walk refreshments were served in the Community Hall after the walk.
Thank you to our walk leaders Pete and Leigh, everyone who provided the refreshments, those who set up the hall and cleaned it afterwards and to all who were able to join us. It’s always a pleasure to see you. There are many more photos on our Facebook page
Today we had our Boxing day walk at Languard Fort. Over 80 hounds and friends, alongside their humans, enjoyed a bracing walk around Languard in the cold but lovely weather. We were joined by nine of our kennel dogs namely: Bonnie, Harry, Tanya, Magic, Decs, Storm, Thomas, Tommy and Freston – for some of them it was their first trip out. As ever, they were all wrapped up in coats and enjoyed cuddles and treats. We then made our way into the fort for much needed refreshments, mince pies and sausage rolls. We thank Nigel for leading the walk, Bryan, Gill and Fiona for manning the stall and thank all those who made the food. We thank our volunteers for bringing our kennel hounds and taking photographs and to everyone who attended and made the morning so enjoyable. Finally, but by no means least, we thank Languard Fort for being so supportive and allowing us to use their facilities.
A few words from Volunteer Ali and her (and the dogs) take on such a brilliant day. A trip to the seaside today, all snug and cosy in their warm winter coats, with ears flapping in the bracing cold air, having excitedly opened their Christmas stockings from Father Christmas at the kennels, our Dillymore Gang today were the wonderful, Thomas, Tommy, Magic, Decs, Bonnie, Tanya, Freston, Harry and Storm. They were also joined by our ambassador friends Stephen and Merlin and a delight also to see former kennel mates Ronnie and Pedro amongst many others.
With a great turnout, all were extremely excited to see old friends and new (both canine and human) and the smell of the sea air and the sight of those crashing waves proved too much for some of the gang and Tommy (Wagtail) especially simply had to have a little paddle, as the foam lapped at his beautiful paws.
Our lovely furry friends were well behaved and delighted to make the acquaintance of so many different dog breeds and we were thrilled to speak to many of you, especially with potential re homing enquiries, which always excites us volunteers!! Please do direct any enquiries to Emma 07889904874 or John 07854057715 either would both be delighted to hear from you.
All too soon, it was time for the gang to head home back to Dillymore in their new van, excited to return for their lunch and a Christmas snooze. After all, all that windy weather gives us dogs an appetite!
Thanks to you all as ever for your support, It is so appreciated by us volunteers and everyone at the Kennels.
We hope to see many of you at the various events planned for 2026 (and believe me, there are many in the diary, so do take a look on our website). Until then, we wish you all a very happy and peaceful new year.
Below are just some of the photos taken on the walk. There are more on our Facebook page.
17 Greyhounds, two Spaniels and their families enjoyed our November walk in Grundisburgh in the bright late Autumn sunshine.
Kennel dog Freston joined in and had great time.
Many thanks to walk leaders Kevin and Mandy, The Grundisburgh Dog for their hospitality, all who took photos and last but by no means least all that were able to join us.
Just a little reminder that our November walk takes place this coming Sunday. Details below. Grundisburgh Sunday 30th November 11am The Grundisburgh Dog, The Green Grundisburgh IP13 6TA A truly beautiful walk in this picturesque village and the surrounding fields and footpaths. We are always welcome to park at The Dog and to use the pub at the end of the walk
Our walks for 2026 have now been published, you will find them in the walk section. We have added three new walks this year along with some of our old favourites. We look forward to seeing you and your lovely hounds.
Around 25 hounds, their smaller friends and their humans joined us for a walk at Shotley Gate in a nice cool breeze. Our normal circular walk wasn’t possible and so we did a gentle there and back walk instead. We all had refreshment at The Shipwreck before and after the walk. We look forward to seeing you all at our August walk and picnic.
Due to footpath a closure our walk on Friday will unfortunately not take our usual route. Despite our walk leader Barbara doing a recce of the area and taking advice from a local source it appears there are no other routes that are about the same duration as our usual walk which do not come across cows or stiles.
With this in mind we are suggesting parking at the Marina by the Shipwreck as planned for a social gathering (There is a parking charge unless you buy a drink, see photo below)) and then a short there and back walk over the lock gates and along the river.
We do hope you will come along and join us, as always we would love to see you.
As we thought the temperature on Sunday was too high for our usual walk in the Orwell Country Park to take place in it’s entirety.
Thanks to Peter our walk leader for keeping the three dogs attending in the shade and curtailing the length / time of the walk, only taking in the wood and the shore.
Lets hope the temperature will be cooler for our July walk which will be an evening walk from Shotley Marina.Shotley Gate, Ipswich IP9 1QJ Please note that at the time of writing and since our last walk parking charges have been imposed on the Marina car park by The Shipwreck. However if you arrive early, purchase a drink from the Shipwreck and give your car registration number we understand parking is free of charge but please check upon arrival. It is a beautiful walk with views of the Orwell and Stour Estuaries.
As you may be aware there are currently works being carried out on the Orwell Bridge.
From 26th June there is a contra flow system in place with one lane open in each direction.
The Westbound entry slip road at junction 57 (Nacton interchange) will be closed. Drivers wishing to head westbound will need to use junction 28 (Seven Hills interchange)
With these restrictions in place you may want to allow extra time for your journey.
Many thanks to Angie, Nigel and Liz who along with our Ambassadors Charlie and Bob led the walks in Hadleigh on Sunday and to Chris for the photos.
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As always our thanks go to The George Hotel for making us so welcome after the walk.
Volunteer Ali has written a piece on the walk and the Kennel hounds who joined us.
The Sun shone and only a splattering of showers… On today’s monthly walk, which took place in Hadleigh. A fabulous turnout with many of our previous furry friends from Dillymore making an appearance, as we managed to dodge most of the showers. Accompanying us today from the kennels were the wonderful, Milo, Mikey, Billy, Smokey (Smokey will be available soon) and Ralph, who were all impeccably behaved both on lead and with all the other dogs. A first outing today for Billy and feedback from his walker that he walked well on the lead and obviously as all of our dogs were so excited to be out and about and set off at great speed, by the end of the walk there were loose leads all round. Milo and Mikey ever the beautiful and kind gentle souls, just happy to be out and about and the picture of Mikey with our volunteer Sara shows just how patient this beautiful boy is. Similarly, feedback from our walkers today of Milo and Smokey says they walked well on the lead and happy to follow the group. We were delighted that Ralph was walked with a Volunteer by a member of the group who hopes that Ralph will return home soon with them in the coming weeks and we look forward to hearing how that progresses. A wonderful morning with everyone and as a volunteer, I am so privileged to share time with these wonderful boys…. Looking forward to seeing you all on the June walk at Orwell Park. Until then…. Keep those tails wagging….
