Video: Rathcoole church hosts ‘Mini Crufts’ event

The dog show, which attracted 14 entries, proved popular with the senior citizens who attend the twice-weekly get-togethers at the Rathcoole Drive church.

Carefully clipped canines on show ranged from a little Pomeranian to two huge Great Danes. Other breeds included Lhasa Apso, Cocker Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Afghan Hound, German short-haired Pointer, Rough Collie and several cross-breeds.

The event was organised by local Kennel Club-accredited dog breeders Jimmy McFarlane and his wife May.

“The standard has been very, very good. Everyone has had a lot of fun and the dogs absolutely love it,” Mr McFarlane commented.

Nadine Rooney, who has been showing dogs since she was six years old, was the guest judge. And the 19-year-old engineering student was very impressed with the standard of the dogs on show.

“The dogs were very well presented and they were all very well behaved. People seemed to enjoy the day and the standard of the dogs was very high,” she said.

The rosette for overall ‘Best in Match’ went to HachiRue, a Japanese Chin owned by Myrtle Stone.

Members of the Friendship Centre also got to vote for their favourite, with the ‘People’s Choice’ rosette also going to the popular HachiRue.

Among those there to watch the show was Rev Billy Davison, superintendent of Newtownabbey Methodist Mission, who thanked all those who helped organise the event and all the dog owners who took part.

Mary Henderson, pastoral assistant and coordinator of the Friendship Centre, urged any senior citizens in the local area who would like to come along to future events to get in touch. She also appealed to anyone who would like to volunteer to help out at the centre to contact the Methodist Mission.

“The Friendship Centre is open to senior citizens in the local area. Every Wednesday and Friday morning they can come to enjoy a fellowship morning and have their meals, so if anyone is interested in coming along they should get in touch,” she said.

For more information about the Methodist Mission and the Friendship Centre call 028 9085 2546, log on to newtownabbeymethodist.org.uk or email [email protected]