Willow's Secure Walks

16/09/2022

Over £100 worth of products to win! 1st place alone is over £70!

Tickets are just £2 to enter 🐾

If you're not local then postage is included 😊

29/06/2022

Please vote for Hope rescue! Hope are currently in 10th place but its very close, and voting closes tomorrow!

It's literally just a case of inputting your email address and verifying it. If you have more than 1 email address like a work and a personal and can vote twice, that would be great 😁

Thank you!

LAST CHANCE: VOTING FOR HOPE CLOSES TOMORROW...

Tomorrow (deadline 8pm) is the final day to cast those votes to ensure Hope Rescue get into the top 10 charities with My Giving Circle Grants and receive some much needed funding. Please follow the link below and vote for Hope and all the wonderful dogs in our care.

https://mygivingcircle.org/hope-rescue-llanharran

31/03/2022

That's it, we've closed the gate to Willow's Secure Walks for the last time ever 😭

6 years, 8 months and 19 days we were open.

2454 days in total.

Over 1500 customers.

Almost 2000 dogs.

The amount of literal blood, sweat and tears that went into the field, so many memories.

So many dogs had their first ever off lead experience in the field. We were honoured to be the place that people chose for their dogs to have their last ever walk as well.

The field holds almost 7 years of memories for so many of us. For me, it was the first and last place that my original 3 dogs were off lead together. It was the place of Pete's last birthday. It was where I could go to get away from the world.

Thank you to absolutely everyone who used us, whether it was once or 100 times. Everyone who recommended us, liked, commented or shared our posts. You're who kept us open for almost 7 years.

We're absolutely devastated to be closing, and devastated that yet another beautiful green space is being paved over into more grey, dull car park.

I opened the field when I was only 20, and I'll be forever proud of what I achieved with it. If it weren't for Willow, who knows what my life would've been so I owe so much to her too for this.

In true Willow fashion, as we were taking one last walk around the field, she fished out a tennis ball from just over the other side of the fence, which just made me laugh as it's just Willow down to a T ❤️

I hope that we can one day find somewhere new to be able to reopen again.

29/03/2022

If anyone needs any patio slabs, there's a whole bunch of them at the field!

Free!

But need to go today or tomorrow please 😊

21/03/2022

FREE TYRES!

2 large tractor tyres, still available, free. Must be collected by Wednesday 30th March.

Pop bin with bag dispenser, £50 ONO, must be collected ON Thursday 31st March.

Bin was over £200 new, has no structural issues at all, just needs a wipe down as can be seen. Needs to be collected on the 31st March, as our last day is the 30th so will be used until then and will be emptied on the 31st. £50 ono, it needs to be gone so I'm open to silly offers!

19/03/2022

1st thing out of the field :(

The big blue bench has been in the field for I thibk about 5 out of the 6.5 years that we've been open, it seems so empty without it.

Tomorrow, the platforms and the tyres are going, and next week the shed :(

It's all starting to feel a bit too real and I'm just devastated we're having to close, and even more devastated that our beautiful paddock is just being paved over 😢

16/03/2022

The climbing platforms and tyres are moving out of the field this Sunday, so if you want any last photos on the equipment, make sure to book in before then! 😊

Just a reminder that it's just £5 a session now, whether it's for 1, 2 or 5 dogs!

We're still taking on new people, so people can have the chance to let their dog off lead. There is still an induction as we do still need forms and induction completed, which is £5.

This is your 2 week countdown :( closing Wednesday 30th March 😥

08/03/2022

‼️ £5 offer ‼️

We're now at just over 3 weeks until we close 😭

Unfortunately we haven't found anywhere to move to, but we will continue looking after we've closed 🤞

As we've only 3 weeks left, I've dropped the price on our sessions to just £5 so that people can bring their dogs for one last run, send me lots of photos, and I can ugly cry some more.

So all 55 min sessions are £5 regardless of how many dogs. 25 min sessions are all £4, which I know seems silly but anything less than that and I'll be making literal pennies after the fees! I do technically still have a business to run for the next 22 days 😂

New customers, there is still an induction as I do still need all the forms and t&c's filled out for our insurance purposes, but this is still half price at £5 to cover my admin time (I assure you, it's a hell of a lot less than minimum wage, before I get the usual complaints 🙄), so for new customers a first session is £10 (£5 session, £5 induction).

Everyone with outstanding block bookings, just a reminder that you have until we close on March 30th to use these up, there won't be any refunds as per our t&c's as you either had the full 3 months notice to use them, or you booked after then in which case there were multiple points saying you have until March 30th.

Equipment will be coming out of the field over the next couple of weeks as well.

Please make use of the field, we've understandly gone very quiet over the last couple of weeks, but the field is still here for 22 days and I'd love for it to be used and to be sent loads of photos, so I know that the field was loved up to its last minute before its just turned into another concrete jungle 😔

07/03/2022

If any of our customers are interested, the blue garden bench & 2 tractor tyres are available for free and we're selling the shed for £120

In case any of you are interested! At least if a customer has it, I don't have to try and explain directions to where we are 😂

19/02/2022

Don't forget we are still here, we are still open until the end of March!

We have 10% discount for registered customers with either codes CLOSING10 or 10CLOSING depending on if booking single sessions or a block.

We are continuing to take on new customers on every day excluding Sundays and Mondays.

And I am still desperately trying to find somewhere to move to, so please do keep sending places to us for me to contact and check out!

It's now only 8 weeks today until we close 💔😭

I have been desperately looking for a new place, but no success yet. I will keep trying! Please don't forget to let me know if you know of anywhere.

As it's only 8 weeks, I've done a 10% code to say thank you to all of you who are still continuing to use us ❤️

🐾Use code CLOSING10 for single sessions
🐾Use code 10CLOSING for blocks/monthly packages

As a reminder, our last day is Wednesday 30th March.

17/02/2022

Everyone tomorrow has rescheduled which is great, so please be safe out there!

A red weather warning means danger to life, and there is nothing more important than staying safe.

Please check your fences are still standing before letting your dogs out, check nothing dangerous has blown in to your garden, and if you can bring your rabbits/Guinea pigs etc indoors then please do this weekend!

There 'shouldn't' be any damage to the field, as the nearby trees have been cut down already and our fences are sturdy, so we're lucky 🤞

Keep safe tomorrow and the next couple of days whilst the storm blows through

15/02/2022

There's a yellow weather warning in place for Friday for most of the UK for wind! 🌪️

As with all weather warnings from the met office, you can move your session under the 24 hour notice period

You can move your sessions yourself for anything over 24 hours on the online booking system, or from your confirmation email. Anything under, for Fridays weather warning only, pop us a message and we can move you.

Stay safe out there and don't get blown away 💨

02/02/2022

It's now only 8 weeks today until we close 💔😭

I have been desperately looking for a new place, but no success yet. I will keep trying! Please don't forget to let me know if you know of anywhere.

As it's only 8 weeks, I've done a 10% code to say thank you to all of you who are still continuing to use us ❤️

🐾Use code CLOSING10 for single sessions
🐾Use code 10CLOSING for blocks/monthly packages

As a reminder, our last day is Wednesday 30th March.

02/02/2022

We won't be doing any new customer sessions next week (7th-11th) as I have a few things going on so can't give it my full attention, sorry!

There will be first sessions on Saturday 12th, but there is currently only 3 sessions available!

02/02/2022

3 years ago today, the field was fully covered in snow! 🥶

Would be amazing to have another snow day before we close :(

19/01/2022

Resharing this for those that missed it. A few key points below:

🐾 We are closing Wednesday 30th March 2022.

🐾We are desperately trying to find somewhere new to move to, but it's looking unlikely that it'll be before we close, but we will continue until we find somewhere, whether that takes months or years!

🐾We are still taking on new customers, now every day apart from Sundays and Mondays

🐾As the field is closing and just being paved over, I'm not worried about the ground needing to be preserved for the rest of the year, so it is muddy and boggy after a rain. Even without us closing, it's an outdoor field in winter when it rains, there is always mud and there isn't much we can do, so bring wellies and towels!

🐾Block bookings are still on the system for registered customers, but they are no longer valid for 3 months, but instead up until we close on March 30th so all sessions must be used before then, as no refunds will be given for unused sessions. We provided 3 months notice of closure, and any block bookings after that had 3 different notifications throughout the booking system, including a tick box for you to agree you've seen this information

🐾 I, now more than ever, always want to see your photos of dogs enjoying the field. I am unbelievably gutted we are closing after almost 7 years, and I've had some amazing messages from people with their experiences and how it's helped, so please keep sending your photos through!

Also, there are things at the field that we'll be needing to sell/get out of the field before we close, like the shed, bench, tyres as well as our pretty much brand new ride on lawn mower and our climbing platforms, if anyone knows of anyone in the market for any of this!

Unfortunately, unless we find a new premise before we close, we don't have anywhere to store these so would have to sell and then buy again once we find somewhere new!

14/01/2022

I'll be in Bath/Bristol Sunday afternoon for a dog training thing, so will be doing some deliveries! Free deliveries on orders over £20 🚚

🐾We have NEW Anco Pate
🐾Lickimats
🐾Natural treats
🐾Natural Treat Hampers
🐾Collars
🐾Leads
🐾Enrichment Toys
🐾Food (probably not raw, as it would be out of the freezer for a few hours whilst I'm at the training session so just wet & dry!)

‼️There's loads in our sale as well including 10% off lots of Xmas sale items, 20% off Danish Design Beds, and loads of other things too.

Order online at www.PetesNaturalDogShop.co.uk (which is our sister business) and choose free local delivery over £20. I know you're not local to the shop, but choose the free local delivery option for this!)

We'd also love it if you could follow the Pete's page if you don't already, please. Check it out at Pete's Natural Dog Shop or on insta.

Don't forget we can also post out to you at any time as well, which is free on orders over £30 or £4 for anything under £30

14/01/2022

Space now available tomorrow afternoon at 4pm on the booking system if any of our registered customers want to book! 🐾

12/01/2022

There's lots of you that are asking to book block bookings still, which is great!

We removed them from the system as they were valid for 3 months, but we close March 30th so I removed them so I could manually make those that messaged for block bookings aware that they only have until March 30th to use up.

However, I've found a way to add a tick box on the system so you have to take to say you're aware of this, which is great!

So the block bookings are now back on the website with the description changed, and the tick box so you can just book them as normal.

Just a reminder we are still taking on new customers until we close as well so pop us a message to book your first session 😊

02/01/2022

I think I've replied to everyone that's messaged since just before Xmas 🤞

If I haven't, please send me another message as I must've missed your message!

01/01/2022

Unfortunately we're having to start 2022 on a sad note. Yesterday lunchtime, I received an email giving us notice to end our lease of The Paddock, as it has been sold and will be turned into a car park. Our last day is Wednesday 30th March.

I'm absolutely heartbroken to say the least. By that date, we'll be just 3 months shy of our 7 year birthday. In those 7 years we have helped well over a thousand dogs find a safe, secure environment to play with no worries. We've helped a thousand humans find the strength to let their nervous/reactive dogs off lead, sometimes for the first time ever. We have dozens of you that use us daily, or almost daily. I've made some amazing friends during this 7 years.

The Paddock was my sanctuary, my place to get away from the world, and just sit in the peace and quiet and feel grounded. It massively, massively helped with my mental health, knowing I had that safe space me and the dogs could go to.

There's so many memories at the field, so many of Pete that I won't get back. It was a place for lots of people to take their dog for their last walk, and I'll be forever honoured that we were able to help with that.

I am so, so sorry to everyone that uses us. Unfortunately there was nothing I could do to stop this. I am trying to find a new premise that we could move to and carry on Willow's Secure Walks, but I'll be honest it's unlikely I'll find something suitable in the same area within the next 3 months. But I won't stop trying, and if anyone sees any suitable land PLEASE let me know.

We will remain open until Wednesday 30th March. With it in mind that we will be closing, I'll be honest, I'm not worried about the ground being turned up etc as it doesn't need to be preserved as it's just going to be paved over for a car park. So I've removed the restrictions on only having 5 bookings per day and I've moved our opening hours back to 7pm Monday to Saturday.

We will continue to take on new customers, so their dogs have a chance at off lead freedom. However I understand many of you that have messaged over Christmas will have been looking for somewhere to use long term, and won't want to book in to just use for the next 3 months. I will be messaging everyone back today/tomorrow and making them aware in that message as well about the closure, so that if you still want to book in then you can. I'll also be doing first customer sessions on every day, excluding Sundays and Mondays, as there's only so many Tuesdays and Saturday's until we close and I want as many people to people able to use my field before we close.

Please understand that the field is outdoors, it's rainy, it's muddy, it's boggy, I can't do anything about that, so please only book if you are aware of that and are happy with the mud.

All block bookings are valid for 3 months, and we have been given 3 months notice, so everyone who has purchased a block booking has time to use this up. Please make sure to use them, as we won't be giving refunds for any unused sessions as you have the full 3 months to use them in. You'll notice that block bookings have been removed from the system as well. If you'd still like to book a block booking to use up before March 30th, then please send me a message and I can do this manually my end.

Thank you so, so much to every single person that's used us since July 12th 2015. I can't put in to words how much everyone's support has meant to me over the years. I am truly devastated for this happening. I am so sorry.

The first few photos are right back from 2015 when we first opened. I can only attach 10, but there are thousands and thousands of amazing photos from all of the dogs and owners over the years. ❤️

29/12/2021

🎄I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! 🎄

Just as a reminder, I'm not back until the New Year, so please do be patient with messages. I can see lots of rude messages where I haven't replied, despite setting up automated replies that explains new customer sessions are in the new year now 😔 Not what I want to have to be dealing with over Christmas!

I don't expect no messages, so it's fine to message! I'll reply when back in the new year. I mean the messages where its Boxing day and I'm getting '???' sent to me and things like 'Hello are you even there I've sent 3 messages now?!' on the 27th. It's Christmas guys, I want a break just as much as you! 😩 (I unfortunately need to keep my phone on in case of any issues with current customers that are booked in, so it's not possible for me to just switch it all off, as much as I'd love to for a few days!)

The automated reply explains when new customer sessions will be, which will be restarting on Tuesday 4th and are on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Also, with all the lovely weather we're having 🙄 the field is getting muddy and boggy. Unfortunately, there isn't much we can do for this 😩 It is an outdoor field, we are at the whim of the weather which can't be controlled!

I've limited our opening times to close at 5pm instead of 7pm, and I've limited the max number of sessions per day as well, to stop the wear and tear on the field. Obviously limiting our hours and number of bookings per day does mean we get less coming in, so trust me it's not something I enjoy doing, but other than doing that, the only other option is to close completely during bad weather seasons which no one wants! 😩

On that note, I hope everyone enjoys the rest of 2021! We had a lovely time in the sea with Kiara yesterday 😍 I hope your dogs all cope okay with the New Year's Eve fireworks, and I'll see you all in 2022!🎆

26/12/2021

‼️3pm today is now available on the booking system ‼️

(I am still off for a few days over Christmas so will reply to messages in a few days)

24/12/2021

Thank you so much to Jaz who looks after the field during the week, for our beautiful Christmas present ❤️

I've put it up on the wall behind the till at the shop so Pete can always be looking down at his subjects, just as he would like!

Thank you so much Jaz, I ugly cried when it arrived, it's perfect ❤️

23/12/2021

🎄 Merry Christmas from Willow's Secure Walks! 🎄

I'll be replying to messages today, but after that I'll be closing down admin for a few days for Christmas!

As a reminder, we're open for registered customers all over the Christmas period, but with shorter hours (last session 4-5pm). This is also to help limit numbers each day so the field doesn't get too torn up and we have to close early next year like we did this year 🤞

New customer sessions will start again on Tuesdays and Saturdays, starting Tuesday 4th January. There's currently only 11am, 2pm and 4pm available on Saturday 8th already.

Thank you to everyone for your support this year, and for sending all your dog photos through!

I hope you all have an amazing Christmas, and a Happy New Year! 🎉