WILTSHIRE MEET UP August 2026
It is a couple of years since I hosted a Bolognese meet up and having recently moved to Wiltshire — where there is a very dog friendly pub within walking distance of our house and acres of parkland to enjoy — I thought it the ideal place to hold a get together. Date decided and an invitation was put on the website for all who would like to attend.
I had certainly not bargained on the weather though. Yes, it was quite hot when the arrangements were made, but I did not expect it to go on for so long. Earlier in the week I had to make a decision: do we cancel, or change the modus operandi to a pub lunch followed by a social afternoon in our garden with gazebo etc. for protection from the sun? I decided on the latter.
The day started very overcast, but as it progressed it got hotter and the sun came out. Off to the pub! The Red Admiral in Hilperton is very dog friendly, and when I originally booked the table, they said they would take up to 30 dogs at one time. I am sure there are not many venues that would cater for that number of dogs. However, our total amounted to 11, with a mixture of breeds: we had Bolognese, Coton de Tulear and also a Cocker Spaniel.
We had members Jude Pearson with Dougal; Sian Lewis with Raul, a Bolognese puppy, and also Jamer, a Cocker Spaniel; Anne & Steven with Izzy, a 14 year old Bolognese; and Brian with Odin (my two girls were at home as they were in season). Non members included Jan and Ken with Yogi and Storm; Jane and Marco with Minki, McCoy, Fizzi and Yoki, all Cotons; and Vikki and Sean, minus their dogs. The pub also serves doggy dinners for those who had hungry dogs. We had our traditional free raffle where all prizes were breed related, we then asked a lovely lady who is a barmaid at The Red Admiral to judge the Prettiest Bitch which went to a Coton, Odin had most Handsome Dog and Best Oldie was Izzie owned by Anne and Steven.
When we had all finished, most walked their dogs back to our house where we had 14 dogs all off lead in the garden — and not one squabble during the whole afternoon. Tea, coffee, cakes and lots of banter occupied most of the time. Yes, the sun did come out to play, and yes, it would have been too hot to walk, but it proved a successful alternative which everyone said they enjoyed and would like to repeat in years to come.
