Tension mounts as the finalists for the Wightlink Woof Awards are announced

More than 1,300 nominations have been received for this year’s inaugural Wightlink Woof Awards

The new awards seek to promote the Island as a dog-friendly destination by highlighting some of the best canine-friendly businesses and attractions, devoted dog owners and, of course, the top dogs themselves.

Judges have spent the past few weeks whittling down the bumper number of nominations to a shortlist. The winners will be announced at this year’s Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society County Show at Northwood on Saturday 30 June. Winners will receive a trophy, £100 in Wightlink travel vouchers, a goody bag and a Wightlink Woof Awards Golden Pawprint Marque to highlight their achievements.

Stuart James, Marketing and Innovation Director at Wightlink, says: “We always knew that the Island was a very dog-friendly destination but we were really encouraged by the huge number of nominations we have received for our first Woof Awards.

“It has been a very difficult task for our expert panel of judges to come up with a the final shortlist. We would like to thank everyone who made a nomination and all the businesses and individuals on the Island who take such trouble to ensure our canine visitors get the best of welcomes.”

The Wightlink Woof Awards panel comprises dog behaviour specialist Paul James Marshall, The Dog Reporter project, dog owner and Visit IW managing director William Myles, dog owner Domine Nowell who organises the annual Dogstival event for dogs and dog-lovers and Wightlink Finance Director Jonathan Pascoe.

2019 Wightlink Woof Awards Nominations shortlist:

Best Isle of Wight Dog-friendly Beach

• Brook Beach
• Seagrove Beach
• Ryde Beach

Best Isle of Wight Dog Walk

• Circular walk from Freshwater Causeway
• Circular walk from The Wishing Well, Pondwell
• Grange Chine to Isle of Wight Pearl and return

Isle of Wight Dog of the Year

• Toby the reading dog
• Moya the assistance dog
• Hope the jet-skiing dog

Isle of Wight Dog Person of the Year

• Carol Court of Ability Dogs 4 Young People
• Ryan Bennett of Ry’s dog training
• Renee Rhodes of K9 Academy

Best Isle of Wight Dog Business

• Handsome Hounds
• Top Knot and Tails
• All Canines Great & Small

Best Isle of Wight Dog-friendly Place to Eat and Drink

• The Waterfront, Totland Bay
• The Sun Inn, Calbourne
• Off The Rails, Yarmouth

Best Isle of Wight Dog-friendly Attraction

• Rylstone Tea Gardens & Crazy Golf
• Isle of Wight Steam Railway
• The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Best Isle of Wight Dog-friendly Accommodation Provider

• Luccombe Manor
• Grange Bank House
• Whitecliff Bay

For more information, contact Karen Woods on 07775 694266 or [email protected]