It was the dream job that everyone raced to stick an application in for last year, and now it’s back again for 2021.
After one of its most successful years to date in 2020, Canine Cottages has announced that applications are now open for its fourth annual ‘Canine Critics‘ competition, where dogs and their owners can battle for one of 10 coveted positions to act as the company’s “paws on the ground” that are responsible for reviewing cottage holidays, getting involved on social media, and sniffing out the very best adventures across the UK.
What is it that makes the role of a Canine Critic so popular then?
Well, the rewards for becoming a Canine Critic include a £1,000 voucher for a cottage holiday, and a doggy bag that’s full to the brim with treats.
Lucky winners will also be quite-rightly celebrated on the Canine Cottages website and will get to appear regularly across the company’s active social media channels.
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In its debut year, Canine Critics received just over 7,000 applications, followed by 50,000 in its second year, but in 2020, when the popularity of staycations were at an all-time high due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were more than 60,000 applicants.
The rewards for becoming a Canine Critic include a £1,000 voucher for a cottage holiday / Credit: Canine Cottages
“Canine Critics 2020 was just the light-hearted fun we all needed, and it’s been a pleasure to send so many beautiful pups on their holidays this year to explore what the UK has to offer,” said Shannon Kear, PR & Communications Manager at Canine Cottages.
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“Although the judging process is never easy, the last litter of critics have been wonderful, and we’ve all got to know and love each of them.
“So this year, we’re recruiting another 10 four-legged friends to join our pack and explore with their humans, giving their paw of approval to our canine-friendly properties.”
One of last year’s winners – Ronnie – had a fantastic time being a Canine Critic.
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Former Canine Critic Ronnie’s pup-parent commented: “We’ve loved being a part of the Canine Critics team. Such beautiful homes in beautiful places – the hardest part is picking one out of the amazing selection [but] we love visiting new places and exploring hidden gems so we can’t wait to share our experiences with other adventure-seeking dog owners.
“The team are so helpful and their customer service is second to none.
“Being a Canine Critic is a fantastic experience and will leave us with memories to cherish forever.”
How could you pass up on this perfect staycation opportunity?
It couldn’t be easier to stick an application in either, as all you’ll need to do is fill out a simple application form and provide a photo of you and your furry friend to be in with a chance of being picked.
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This year, Ali Taylor – Battersea’s Head of Canine Behaviour and star of ITV’s Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs – will be joining the panel to judge the rescue category.
You can apply via the Canine Cottages website here.
Featured Image – Canine Cottages
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‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Greater Manchester set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by some heavy rain and wind this week, according to the Met Office.
While things have seemed surprisingly more settled for the time of year over the last week or so, with clearer skies and chilly winter mornings being fairly commonplace, all that will change very soon, as the Met Office has forecasted that the UK is set to be battered by some ‘impactful’ heavy rain and strong winds as the week goes on.
Low pressure systems will bring a more ‘unsettled’ spell of weather, with a severe weather warning for wind issued for certain parts of the UK.
Today is expected to be filled with grey skies and light rain here in Greater Manchester, with cloud covering much of the rest of the country, and other outbreaks of rain elsewhere, whereas on Wednesday, the focus of rain will shift to southern England instead.
The weather looks set to turn more unsettled during the forthcoming week 🌧️ 🌬️
Thursday is where it’s set to take the biggest downturn though, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day, and it’s us here in North West England that are expected to see the highest accumulations too, with 20-30mm could falling over the hills, and some hill snow even possible over the Scottish mountains too.
A deep area of low pressure will also have ‘deepened rapidly’ by Thursday, bringing ‘strengthening winds’ to western parts of the UK along with it overnight, followed by more heavy rainfall.
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” explained Chris Almond, who is the Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.
“Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night, with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“We have issued a Yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”
Emily Sergeant -
7th September 2021 
