• Dog Fat Song
• Great North Swim
• New sponsorship deal
• Ingleton Folk Weekend
• William Nicholson
• Ruth Chare

Dog Fat Song: Martin Smith, previous winner of Ingleton Comic Song competition, has sent us his version of "The Dog Fat Song", a well-known Lancashire folk song. Listen and laugh to it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk17hOxSiPA

Massage your goldfish with Dog Oil and it will swim like a Cat… Littleborough swimmer Cat Jessop successfully completed the Great North Swim and sends us this report,

“I took part in the Great North Swim event and I truly believe it was only the thought of everyone's generosity that stopped me from bolting in the opposite direction when the starting horn sounded! But... the weather was glorious, an unbroken blue sky, not even a breeze, and the water was a very tempting 16 degrees (warmer than anything I've been training in so far).

I used Dog Oil for the first time and was surprised how quickly my muscles recovered after the swim.”

(No goldfish were harmed in this event)

We are now sponsoring New Zealand cyclist Genevieve Whitson, who is currently in the UK and is aiming for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Latest news from Gen:
"I just wanted to email and say a massive THANKS for all your support /sponsorship for the 2009 racing year which has assisted me towards some of my best cycling results in 8 years. I can’t do this on my own and the assistance I have had from all of you has made it possible for me to be able to pursue my goals and get the results I need to move in the right direction.

2009 has been such a full on year working a full time job and racing at a national/international level and I am very glad to say that 2010 will not be quite so stressful. I am going to be heading back to New Zealand in February for a UCI women’s road tour and will then be spending some time in Europe between May-June. The big buzz for me is also signing my first contract with a USA team that I will be riding for in the second half of the season. This also a great stepping stone towards my long term goals for the London Olympics and World Championships."

Gen has been using Dog Oil for some time to massage her muscles after a strenuous ride, removing the ache caused by excess lactic acid and we are keeping her well supplied with Dog Oil!

Gen changed from mountain biking to road racing in 2007 after the World MTB Championships in 2006, but you can read all about her successes and ambitions on her website www.genwhitson.com.

Ingleton Folk Weekend
The Comic Song Competition, sponsored by Mason’s Products, was an even bigger success in 2009, stimulating the creation of 16 hilarious new songs which were performed by an amazing variety of performers. The first prize was won by Heather Sheldrick with “Bye, bye, cheese and onion pie” at her first attempt. Her presentation, together with runner-up Terence Carey, is pictured on www.ingletonfolk.co.uk

Heather picked up several bookings on the strength of her performance and can be contacted through her website www.sheldrickrose.co.uk

Don’t wait until next October’s competition, though, to visit our hosts The Old Hill Inn, Ingleton, where you’ll get a great meal and a wide range of real ales. www.oldhillinn.co.uk

Cathedral Organist and Composer, William Nicholson, tells us that he finds Dog Oil very useful for keeping his fingers supple and free from aching after the necessary hours of practice at the instrument.

Tae Kwon Do World Champion, Ruth Chare came out of retirement to win the 2008 Ladies Light Weight British Championship in October. She says: “I just thought I would let you know that I came out of retirement for one competition only at the weekend and became Ladies Lightweight British Champion again! It was a special anniversary event to mark 25 years of the TAGB and there was a team event featuring regional team. Our area rep, who is also the national team coach, had persuaded me to be part of the North of England team and as I was sparring well when preparing for that I decided I may as well have a go at showing the youngsters how it is done in the individual event! Of course I am sure it is all down to Dog Oil keeping my old joints fit and supple!!”

Ruth is now having a career break and going as a ski rep in France.