Bird hails Centenary Gala Dinner as celebratory film is released
GBGB chief executive Mark Bird has reflected on the sport's "brilliant" Centenary Gala Dinner held at Dunstall Park in Wolverhampton to mark the 100th anniversary of the first British greyhound racing meeting at Belle Vue on 24th July 1926.
Bird said: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome so many friends, supporters and guests from across the greyhound racing community and beyond to our Centenary Gala Dinner at Dunstall Park Stadium.
“It was a brilliant event with some outstanding racing from our canine athletes, as well as an important opportunity to celebrate and share in our memories of all those who have contributed to our thriving, welfare-driven sport over the years.”
Among the evening’s guests were MP for Wolverhampton West, Warinder Juss, and Peter Bedford MP, chair of the Greyhound APPG, who also enjoyed a tour of the kennelling and veterinary facilities to see how the canine athletes are cared for at licensed tracks.
Bedford said: “It was wonderful to be a part of the centennial celebrations of Greyhound Racing in Great Britain.
"The sport continues to play an important role, both directly and indirectly, in the local economies of so many of our towns across the country.”
Mark Moisley, commercial director at GBGB, said of the Centenary Gala: “The event combined a fantastic crowd of greyhound lovers with a spectacular night of racing from our canine athletes – exactly what our sport is all about.
“It was important to all of us to mark this significant milestone for our sport and share in the joys and memories of greyhound racing over the past 100 years."
“We are grateful to Dunstall Park as our hosts and to everyone who continues to bring such dedication, passion and commitment to our sport.”
Produced for the evening was a special film honouring some of the greyhound greats over the years – from Mick the Miller and Ballyregan Bob, to Westmead Hawk and Scurlogue Champ.
With the announcement that this year’s National Greyhound Week will take place between Monday 24th to Monday 31st August, there will be much more to come as tracks continue to celebrate 100 years of British greyhound racing.
Jonathan Kay