Crowle Peatland Railway.

Scent Ops 7/9/2025

The trials were held at Crowle Peatland Railway, many thanks for their hospitality.

The Bronze Trial was held in the large hanger used for storage of heavy machinery at one end and the storage of equipment used for open days at the other, with a small children’s play area. The vehicle storage meant quit a few strong odours to work through and almost all teams coped with that well, no real wind movement but quite warm inside. The start point was at the entry door that can be seen at the far end just behind the water pool.

The hide was mid point between both areas in a wooden box with items placed on top, as can be sen on both photos, the heavy machinery is behind the photographer. The search took in all the area seen and the children’s play area to the left just out of shot.

Most teams coped with this quite well, only 2 failing to find the source, both turned into a training round. Most teams found the hide within an average time of 2:45 mins. At the end of each persons round I went through the score sheet with the handler, which helped in their Silver Trial in the afternoon.

The Silver trial

Held in a different part of the site

The first hide was placed in the base of the small white heater which was two thirds of the way down a Lisbon Trolly bus carriage, a set of steps led up into the carriage from

the rolling stock storage hanger. Every dog picked the odour up in front of the carriage before turning the corner to the steps, every dog worked well into the hide some really good handling in quite a tight space. The second hide was under the leading edge of a piece of rolling stock behind the rail, again a very smelly area, I initially felt that I had made things too difficult with the competing odours, but every dog again worked to odour. The average time for the Silver trial was 4mins with some remarkably close to being out of time.

Again, as each team finished, I went through their score sheet with them. The day was enjoyed by everyone who attended.

Bronze

1st Tracey McGowan and Ben 100

2nd Marion Proctor and Kelsea 100

3rd Emma Jenkinson and Mary 99

4th Marie Holt and Bay 99

5th Debbie Glenister Beale and Kya 98

6th Cath Jefferson and Kiara 98

Silver

1st Marie Holt and Bay 100

2nd Debbie Glenisiter Beale and Kya 100

3rd Emma Jenkinson and Mary 100

4th Sue Balshaw and Lloyd 100

5th Marion Proctor and Kelsea 100

6th Meryl Haige and Brew 100