Derwen College Fete and Dog Show success

Hundreds of people, including families, students, staff, and local community members, along with nearly 100 dogs, visited Derwen College for a day filled with fun, excitement, and community spirit at the Fete and Dog Show 2025 on Saturday (14 June).

Despite mixed weather, the Gobowen-based College was bustling with fun activities and entertainment for all ages, including a dog show, duck race, stalls, games, craft competitions and a visit from children’s television favourites Skye and Chase from Paw Patrol.

The dog show featured 99 dogs registered for fun categories such as Cleverest Dog, Waggiest Tail, and Most Appealing Eyes. Congratulations to the cute and clever Olive for winning Best in Show. Sponsored by Oswestry-based raw animal food suppliers Duffy’s Diner, each category winner was awarded a goody bag packed with fantastic prizes.

This year, Derwen College combined the dog show and fete into a one-day extravaganza, resulting in one of the College’s most successful fetes yet. New this year were popular village-fete style competitions in crafts, baking, photography, and children’s categories. Judged by experts from West Felton WI, the judges’ job was made very difficult by the level of skill and creativity on display.

The popular Duck Race made a splash yet again. With two races, one for corporate sponsors and one for the public, crowds gathered to cheer on the hundreds of yellow ducks as they bobbed down the College stream. The winning business was Bridge Coffee while the public race was won by the owner of Duck 120. A huge thank you to all our generous duck race sponsors.

Thanks also to the generous businesses that donated prizes for the grand raffle, including a two-night retreat courtesy of Woodland Park Lodges in Ellesmere

Visitors enjoyed shopping and eating at Derwen College’s Garden Centre and Gift Shop, Vintage Advantage Charity Shop, Walled Garden Café, and The Orangery Restaurant. The College’s delicious homemade ice cream was also a winner

Megan Charman, Community Fundraiser and Events Coordinator at Derwen College, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who helped make the Fete and Dog Show such a success. We were delighted that the mixed weather forecast didn’t put visitors off. It was lovely to see so many smiling faces and wagging tails.

“Thanks also to all our sponsors who supported our Duck Race and to Duffy’s Diner for providing such lovely prizes for the Dog Show winners. Thanks to the WI for providing two excellent competition judges and for supporting Derwen Charity with their own stall.

“The Fete and Dog Show is our biggest fundraiser of the year, with all proceeds from the event going to Derwen Charity. The money raised helps improve the lives and experiences of students and clients with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).”

Derwen College’s next big event is Charity Concert ‘Remember When …’ at The Holroyd Community Theatre on Friday, 20 June, featuring singer Mark Lord and Performing Arts students. There are still tickets available at https://derwen.me/rememberme