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The DGSDTC were invited to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Award Ceremony in London on Wednesday 1st
November 2006, to celebrate their 75th Anniversary of Guide Dogs.
On arrival at the venue, which was at Drapers' Hall - Throgmorton Avenue, we were greeted by members of the Guide Dogs
Volunteer Committee, directed into the Reception room where there were about 100 people including many Guide Dog handlers
and of course their dogs; all very well behaved. This gave us a chance to meet other people who are involved in Guide
Dogs. David Blunkett MP was also there with his dog to receive a Life Time Award.On arrival at the venue, which was
at Drapers' Hall - Throgmorton Avenue, we were greeted by members of the Guide Dogs Volunteer Committee, directed into
the Reception room where there were about 100 people including many Guide Dog handlers and of course their dogs;
all very well behaved. This gave us a chance to meet other people who are involved in Guide Dogs. David Blunkett MP was
also there with his dog to receive a Life Time Award.
Due to HRH Princess Alexandra's tight schedule (she is the Patron of Guide Dogs); it was not possible for all the
Committee to be presented to HRH to receive the Award. It was decided John Swannell - Chairman, and Marlene McInulty -
Secretary, would accept the Award on behalf of the Club.
We had an extremely tasty lunch, plenty of wine and had just finished the meal when Princess Alexandra arrived in
the banqueting hall. There were 5 Groups receiving an award, and 2 nominees from each Group - we were the winners of
our Group and were presented with 2 models of Guide Dogs (Labradors), one sitting and one lying, which will be on
display at the desk. Apparently there was a panel of 20 independent judges who had made the final decision from
over 200 nominations. Quite an achievement for the Club to receive such an Award.
Before each group was handed their Award, there was a short DVD showing how the money had been raised for Guide
Dogs - one group raised thousands of pounds by wrapping Christmas presents in the shopping centre at Bolton.
Our DVD opened with a very good shot of Stephanie in the Hall training the puppies in the Intake Class, there
were other shots in the hall and a number taken at Holcot during the Display at Bank Holiday weekend. We were given
a copy of the DVD.
After the Awards, we moved into the Drawing Room, where Princess Alexandra was introduced to everyone, she was most
interested in what the Club does and how we raised the money for Guide Dogs.
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