Over 150 people and plenty of four-legged friends gathered for The Old Bell Hotel’s first annual Howl-oween in Malmesbury’s Cloister Gardens on Saturday 31 October.
The free community event featured a Halloween dog show judged by the Mayor and Mayoress of Malmesbury, alongside artisan stalls, pet portraits and seasonal treats.
The dressing-up wasn’t just for dogs: owners joined in too, with matching dragon costumes and pugs in Chucky outfits among the afternoon’s memorable sights. Poppy and Jessica won both Spookiest Costume and Best in Show, while other classes celebrated clever
tricks, human-and-dog partnerships and much-loved senior dogs.
The category winners were:
– Spookiest Costume: Poppy and Jessica
– Best Trick or Treat: Ellie and Daniel
– Best Human & Dog Duo: Rufio and Esther
– Best Senior Dog: Maggie and Wendy
– Best in Show: Poppy the Whippet and Jessica
Helen Bath, General Manager at The Old Bell Hotel said: “We were delighted to see so many people come together for our first Howl-oween. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and to the local businesses who helped make it such a howling success. We’re already planning next year’s event.”
Visitors browsed pet accessories and handmade goods, enjoyed pet portraits and tucked into treats including Franken-Furters, Beastly Burgers, toffee apples, waffles and gelato, with pup cups for canine guests.
Local Independent businesses taking part included The Tetbury Pet Shop, Toff Tails Pet Boutique, Cotswold Hipster, Pawlux Boutique, Makery Nook, The Cosy Cone, Dog Tails and Dreams, Birddog Catwalk, Dauntsey Preserves and The Coffee Lada.
