Westhoughton Community Network

group for and run by community groups in Westhoughton

Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show

About

Scarlett at her 2015 Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show Barking Berry's Bakery was created by then 8-year-old Scarlett Berry in 2011 to raise funds for animal rescue. Scarlett began by baking her own dog biscuits and selling them for charity. Since founding her bakery Scarlett has now raised over £45,000 by selling her treats, taking part in sponsored events, having a presence at animal events across the north west, doing online auctions, as well as organising her own Fun Dog Shows, Doggy Afternoon Teas and Christmas Fairs.

Scarlett is a passionate advocate for animal welfare and an active fundraiser for local animal charities. She also finds time to volunteer at an animal centre in Ireland during school holidays. She has gained a high profile for her activities including Fun Dog Shows at Westhoughton Central Park, which seem to get bigger and better with each passing year, attracting considerable interest from the media, and showing Westhoughton in a good light.

Supported by her family, and making good use of promotion across social media, radio and press, local networking (including presenting at Westhoughton Community Network meetings), and posters and flyers, the enthusiasm, passion and love for animals shine through. An extremely impressive feat for someone so young, also coping with the normal activities of a busy schoolgirl growing up.

The last Dog Show in Westhoughton took place in 2019, subsequent events such as Covid and Lockdowns and then for Scarlett going to University and starting work has meant that, whilst her interest in animal welfare and participating in smaller events in the region, organising large events has not been possible. It is nonetheless quite a legacy and achievement.

Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show 2019

Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show 2019 took place on Saturday, 22nd June - 11am to 4pm at its usual location at Central Park, Westhoughton.

The usual mix of stalls, attractions and of course canine competition with proud owners bringing along their beloved pets. Commentary provided by Howfen Radio. The weather was kind this year, and there good support from the public, many of whom brought along their dogs. The Dog Show was well-participated, and the many stalls busy. A few fairground rides added to the carnival atmosphere.

On the day an impressive £1,561 was raised: £750 to go to Dogs Trust Merseyside and £811 for Animal Heaven Animal Rescue. Scarlett and organisers delighted with thi9s year's event, and very grateful for all those who helped with and supported the event.

Dog Show Classes 2019

11:45 - Best Child Handler
12:00 - Best Ears
12:15 - Cutest Pup (12 months max)
12:30 - Glossiest Coat
12:45 - Prettiest Girl
13:00 - Waggiest Tail
13:15 - Most Handsome Dog
13:45 - Prettiest Eyes
14:00 - Best Senior (8 years plus )
14:15 - Best Fancy Dress
14:30 - Best Rescue
14:45 - Dog Most Like its Owner
15:00 - Irish Rover
15:15 - Dog The Judge Would Most Like to Take Home
15:30 - Best in Show

This year's Barking Berry's Charity Christmas Fun Dog Show is to take place on Saturday, 30th November (12pm to 4pm) at Lands Farm (Daisy Hill) on with some 20 stalls and fun canine competitions, in aid of 'Animal Haven Ireland', 'Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter' and 'Care For The Paw'.

1/12/19: A good turnout for this event with £1,347 being raised (£00 shared beteen the chosen charities.

Details (Facebook).


Previous Events

Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show in 2018

Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show 2018 - Central Park 16th June | 11-4The 6th Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show took place on Saturday, 16th June in the top field at Central Park, Westhoughton (BL5 3DG). It had the usual mix of competition with classes such as: Most Handsome Dog; Prettiest Girl; Best Rescue; Golden Oldie; Best Pup; Child Handler; Waggiest Tail; Glossiest Coat; Prettiest Eyes; Best Ears; Fancy Dress; Dog Most Like Owner; Best Six Legs; Dog Judges Would Most Like to Take Home; Best in Show… A dog agility course, lots of stalls and other attractions, and commentary from Howfen Radio.

Whilst the weather was mixed and at times eventful (a late thunderstorm and downpour taking down some gazebos!), this, the team's 6th Fun Dog Show, was well supported with a good turn out, and enjoyed by dogs and owners alike. £2,030 was raised on the day with around £555.25 each going to the chosen charities (Care For The Paw, Dogs Trust Merseyside, Harley's Heroes and Rochdale Dog Rescue).

Thanks to sponsors who supported the various show classes, prizes and the show ring. The show generated media interest and continues to raise awareness of animal welfare issues whilst being a fun day out. Bolton News Report (16/6/18).


The Barking Berry's Team put on a 'Fun Dog Show' as part of the Horwich Carnival event (Saturday, 23rd June), raising additional money and were able to gift £693.25 to Harley's Heroes.

Organisers are grateful to everyone who came to and helped out at the shows, all the businesses that attended and donated to the event and the lovely staff of Liverpool John Moore's University who supported pre-show cake sales.


There were online two-week Summer Auctions (29/7), where bids were made for bought-in and donated prizes, raising money for Animal Heaven Animal Rescue (AHAR) in Ireland.

Locally, in early September the Barking Berrys made an appearance at the Friends of Eatock Lodge Family Funday, and there was a Christmas Fun Dog Show at Lands Farm (Daisy Hill) on Sunday, 2nd December (11am to 3pm), with some 20 stalls and fun canine competitions, supporting 'AHAR', 'Care for the Paw', 'Give a Dog a Bone', 'Harley's Heroes', and 'The Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice'.


Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show 2017

Dogs being presented at the 2015 Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show From small beginnings, the 5th annual Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show took place on Saturday, 10th June (11am to 4pm), taking over the whole of the upper field at Central Park, Westhoughton. A day of typical British weather, however, spirits weren't dampened as people and their pets turned out in the hundreds throughout the day. The 2017 event is in aid of Rochdale Dog Rescue and Dogs Trust Merseyside.

Mr. Paws helping out at 2015 Barking Berry's Fun Dog ShowThere were over 40 stalls, including several animal rescues, as well as craft stalls, refreshments and games. The event is a source of information and a way of raising awareness of animal charities and issues. There is a raffle with some great prizes. The 'Dog Show' itself with its 15 classes is an entertaining spectacle - dog owners can enter their own dogs for a small donation. A couple of doggy challenges such as 'Distraction Alley' and an 'Obstacle Course' provided further fun entertainment. Entertainment and commentary was ably provided by the Howfen Radio team.

Update (10/6/17): After expenses the 2017 Fun Dog Show raised £1,564.45 for Rochdale Dog Rescue and Dogs Trust Merseyside. A further £82.50 for Animal Heaven Animal Rescue (AHAR, Ireland); extra donations for this cause received on the day.

In total £2,350 was collected on the day with other charities being able to promote themselves and raise money at the event. The total amount of money raised by the Barking Berrys is some £30,000 over its 6 years in existence.

Later in the year, 25th November, Barking Berry's Charity Christmas Dog Show (2017) took place at Lands Farm, Daisy Hill raising more funds for animal charities, and taking the total raised so far to over £30,000.

For latest news visit the Facebook Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show 2016 Facebook group; for information about having a stall at events or for media enquiries email the Barking Berrys.

An event that is extremely popular and a great day out for the whole family, raising money for animal charities. Scarlett, Sarah and Martin are very grateful for the ongoing support.


Christmas Fair (2016) - Saturday, 19th November

Family affair - Scarlett with mum Sarah at their 2015 Fun Dog Show Christmas FairThe 2016 'Barking Berry's Christmas Extravaganza' took place in November at The Bethel (Westhoughton United Reformed Church).

Raising funds for Rochdale Dog Rescue, this the second Christmas Fair for the Barking Berry's team, with stalls and fun activities for dog lovers. There was a special appearance from Santa Paws in aid of Dogs Trust Merseyside.

Stalls included: Festive goods for dogs and owners; Christmas cards, animal rescue stalls, plus refreshments; tombolas, games and a grand raffle. info (Facebook).

£924.92 was raised in total on the day. After costs £581.40 went to Rochdale Dog Rescue; £235.50 for Scarlett's Christmas Appeal, and £58 for Dogs Trust Merseyside from the Santa Paws grotto. Plus there were donations of food from visitors and the Dogs Trust Merseyside. In the run up to the Christmas Fair there had been an online auction raising hundred of pounds for Barking Berry's Good Causes.


Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show (2016) - Saturday, 4th June

Taking place on a warm, sunny day (less windy than the previous show!), Westhoughton's Central Park was taken over for an afternoon of canine love, animal issue awareness and entertainment, in aid of Rochdale Dog Rescue and Dogs Trust Merseyside. There were some 50 stalls, including 20 animal rescues, craft stalls, a raffle, the 'Dog Show' itself with its 15 fun classes - dog owners proudly bringing forward their family pets. Facebook page

The event was a great success, helped by the weather, with hundreds of people turning out. Dogs - and even people - had fun… fundraising on the day was £2,100, taking Scarlett's total fundraising to over £21,500.


Achievements

Scarlett was short-listed for the Daily Mirror Animal Hero Award in 2013. She was named Tower FM Charity Fundraiser of the Year in 2015 and in 2016 received a Young Citizen of the Year award from Westhoughton Town Council (nominated by WCN). She has been interviewed on radio - Tony Berry of the Houghton Weavers was greatly impressed when they met prior to a radio interview on Washacre FM, then mentioning Scarlett's activities and achievements on their BBC Radio Lancashire show.


Fundraising Causes

Stalls at the 2015 Barking Berry's Fun Dog Show Christmas Fair at The Bethel Scarlett has raised money for many animal rescues including: Animal Heaven Animal Rescue, Rochdale Dog Rescue, Homeless Hounds, Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter, Carla Lane's Animals in Need, Dogs Trust Merseyside, Animal Care Lancaster, Freshfields Animal Sanctuary, GRWE, Lurcher Link, Greyhound Gap and Hounds First Sighthound Rescue.


Contact

Email the Barking Berrys

You can keep up to date with Scarlett's activities on both Facebook and Twitter at:

Facebook Barking Berry's BakeryBarking Berry's Facebook Group | Twitter Barking Berry's Bakery@barkingberrys / #barkingberrys

Page last updated: 14/2/24 (previous update 3/12/19).

Back to top

Participating Groups

Local Amenities

Photos & Videos

Music

Useful Links

Community Events

  • Daisy Hill Station Improvements
    March to December 2024
    As part of 'Access for All' improvements station will see changes to ticket hall and installation of a lift and toilet, as well as car park changes. £4m project. Some disruption but services continue. Details at Friends of Daisy Hill Station page -
  • History Group
    Monthly meetings - 3rd Thurs (10:30am)
    Westhoughton Library
    After a busy 2023 including the Wingates Band Story exhibition celebrating the brass bands 150th anniversary (Q323), schedule resumes with speakers and special events for this popular heritage group. Next mtg 21/3 st March - Speaker Ruth Duckworth: My Life in Cricket (Part 2)
  • Rotary Christmas Float 2023
    During December Rotary Club of Westhoughton were out and about visiting local estates and will at Sainsbury's ahead of Christmas. As well as Santa and his Rotary Elves bringing Christmas cheer to young and old, it is an important fundraiser; this year £6,249 was raised to be shared out with local community organisations. £5,640 raised and shared in 2022 - Presentation evening 20/4/23; 19 organisations receiving cheques.
  • Hub at Westhoughton
    The Hub at Westhoughton on Central Drive is home to a range of groups and activities serving the community. Information Leaflet.
  • Westhoughton Library
    Library now open for books, general reading and computer access. With current refurbishment complete, community activities on both ground and upper floor have resumed. Info | Community Plans.
  • Robert Shaw / Book of Quint
    Special event with Ryan Dacko, author of 'The Book of Quint' took place at Wetherspoon's 1st July, celebrating Westhoughton-born Robert Shaw and introducing the backstory of the shark hunter from Jaws. It was a great success with people coming far and wide, leading to Amberley publishing deal.
  • WOW! Women of Westhoughton
    Thursdays from 7:00pm
    John Holt Centre (BL5 2NR)
    Est. 2013, women's group for shared interests, talks, outings & social networking. New meeting venue. Updated programme.
  • Daisy Hill FC Fixtures (Home)
    League Division 1 North
    New Sirs (BL5 2EB)
    Cutters season in full flow. New management, new signings and clubhouse improvements. Support your local team. KO Sat 3pm or Mon 7:45pm. £5 adults / £3 concession / £2 U18s / U12s free w/ adult.
  • Lockdown information (Covid-19)
    For 16 months life and community was disrupted by measures to deal with the pandemic. It has been a long and impactful period, thankfully things are opening up again there is a return to normal. Watch for updates as community re-engages here and on
    Westhoughton.net Facebook Page.
  • Town Centre Masterplan
    Proposals for investment in Town Centre (Market Street focus) were consulted upon in 2019-20 with a Steering Group meeting to discuss plans for £4m investment and significant changes to Market Street, Central Park, Carnegie Hall and Town Hall.
  • Hope Community Centre
    The Central Drive church and community space is currently closed pending refurbishment discussions with Bolton Council. Hope Church services take place in the Hub.
Westhoughton Community Network @wcn_ on Twitter Westhoughton Community Network Facebook Page | westhoughton.net