Martin Clunes attends and judges event at Somerset pub

Martin Clunes was a judge at a recent dog show, held in a Somerset pub. <i>(Image: Richard Young/Shutterstock)</i>
Martin Clunes was a judge at a recent dog show, held in a Somerset pub. (Image: Richard Young/Shutterstock)
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DOC Martin himself was the star guest judge of an event in Somerset.

Martin Clunes attended and judged "A Dog's Day Out” last month - a dog show which is annually held at Alhampton Inn, near Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

Known to be a lover of dogs, Martin and his wife adopted a 14-year-old black Labrador and retired guide dog called Laura. At this event, he judged 11 classes at the Somerset pub.


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The renowned actor was at the event alongside Animal Friends Pet Insurance, which supported the Forever Hounds Trust at this year's event.

Donna Harris, claims assessor at Animal Friends, recently attended "A Dog's Day Out," held at the Alhampton Inn near Shepton Mallet, Somerset. The event supports Forever Hounds Trust, a charity particularly close to her heart. 

Donna said: "The annual Alhampton Dog Show was a lovely event, with the warm weather cooling down in true British style, allowing for the fun to commence.

"Famous British actor, Martin Clunes, was in attendance as the guest judge.

"With Martin’s past experience judging at pet shows he wasn't hanging about and judged all 11 classes quickly and fairly."

Martin, now 63, rose to fame after starting out in theatre, before he met Harry Enfield.

Martin Clunes attends and judges a dog event in Somerset. (Image: PA) The Alhampton Inn annually hosts a dog event raising money for the Forever Hounds charity. (Image: Alhampton Inn)

Enfield developed a friendship with Clunes, who ended up playing characters in Enfield's sketch shows. He then recommended Clunes for the role of Gary in the BBC sitcom, Men Behaving Badly, where Clunes was awarded a BAFTA for Best Comedy Performance in 1996.

Donna added: "I was so humbled to attend this event as a local and an Animal Friends representative. With £1,000 donated from Animal Friends, the total amount raised, on the day, came to just over £2,000, which will help many rescue hounds in finding their new forever homes.

"I am proud to work for such a wonderfully charitable company who continue to provide support to small, local charities in need."

While helping to raise vital funds, charitable events like “A Dogs Day Out” can also provide the local community with a lot of fun. 

Rose Hubbard, a volunteer at Forever Hounds, added: “We had a great turn out of dogs and their owners on Sunday, June 22, for our annual Dogs Day Out at the Alhampton Inn and were so lucky to have secured Martin Clunes, actor and dog lover, as our judge.

"Overall, we raised a fantastic amount of money for The Forever Hounds Trust, £640 from the dog show and over £400 on their own stall, selling dog related merchandise and homemade jam.

"This amount was generously added to by a large donation of £1,000 from Animal Friends for which we are all incredibly grateful."

The trust can still be donated to via the Forever Hounds website.

The charity, registered in 1996, is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of unwanted, abused or abandoned greyhounds and lurchers.

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