EVERY dog has its day, and back in 1983, it was the turn of the Blean Beagles.

The group held their annual horse and dog show in August of that year, with 20 classes of jumping as well as gymkhana games including egg and spoon races on horseback.

Feline friend: Alison Clark, 12, plays with a kitten found dumped in woods at Chartham
Dog days: Rebecca Thomas, aged four, makes friends with one of the Blean Beagles
Trotting on: Veteran steed Take a Chance and junior rider Sharon Prigmore took second and third places in the horse show

The event was held to raise money for the pack, who proved to be the highlight of the day when they arrived that afternoon.

Organiser Betty McKeever, who was 82 at the time and had been master of the beagles for most of her life, told reporters the high number of entries and support from amateur huntsman, riders and trainers had made the 65th show another success.

One of the equine competitors was Take a Chance, who at 21 was almost twice the age of his rider, Sharon Prigmore, who was 11 at the time. He had first entered the show seven years ago ridden by Sharon's aunt and won four cups.

In 1983, he finished second and third in two events, proving he was not too old for a trot and a jump or two.

There were also plenty of entries for the dog show classes, with serious contests between pedigree dogs and obedience tests, mixed with more light-hearted events.

Huntsman Terry Bowden sounded his hunting horn to herald the start of the fancy dress competition on horseback, and the Tickham Hunt also paraded.

Cats were not forgotten back in August 1983 either, and appeal cat Bamboo Girl was the star of a show in aid of the Rhodes Minnis Cat Sanctuary.

The moggy had already raised £773 for the sanctuary, near Canterbury, and hoped to better the £1,833 raised by her predecessor, Bamboo Boy.

The sanctuary was opened by Veronica Hathwaite in 1970 and rehomed more than 5,000 cats over the next 13 years. It is still going strong.

Miss Hathwaite said at the time: "I never say no when people ask me to take their cat if they can no longer keep it.

"I only wish more people would come to me first, rather than abandoning their animals.

"People who buy young cats should get them neutered or spayed, otherwise whole colonies of unowned cats grow up."

Do you remember the horse and dog show? Or do you have any old photos to share? Contact us at newsdesk.times@KRNmedia.co.uk or call 01843 578169.