Over 1,300 nominations for the Wightlink Woof Awards

More than 1,300 nominations have been received for this year’s inaugural Wightlink Woof Awards, which seek to promote the Island as a dog-friendly destination.

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, June 30.

Winners will receive a trophy, £100 in Wightlink travel vouchers, a goody bag and a Wightlink Woof Awards Golden Pawprint Marque.

Stuart James, Marketing and Innovation Director at Wightlink, said: “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 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 of 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