Our Team

YVONNE BELL

CAROLYN RACE

TRAINER

Yvonne has been involved in Greyhound Racing since a very young age when her Dad, Bob, kept greyhounds in their back garden. Beginning training at Cleveland Park in Middlesbrough, Yvonne has also trained at both Newcastle and Sunderland simultaneously in the past as well as now, and is an integral part of our team.

CAROLYN RACE

ASSISTANT TRAINER

Daughter of Yvonne, Carolyn has been second in command since the team began training at Sunderland. Working closely with Yvonne and the team, she has developed strong bonds with all greyhounds in our care, which is demonstrated by the reciprocating love and affection shown by our greyhounds both at home and whilst at the track.

LEWIS RACE

CAROLYN RACE

LEWIS RACE

HEAD KENNELHAND

Lewis obtained his Kennelhand license in 2016, before becoming Head Kennelhand in 2018. In between studying at University, Lewis dedicates as much time as possible accompanying Yvonne and Carolyn at the track and helping out in the kennels. He is responsible for keeping our Owners up to date via our social media platforms, and travelling with our greyhounds for targeted open races.

JOHN BELL

GAILE ELTRINGHAM

LEWIS RACE

HANDYMAN

John is Yvonne's husband and the kennel handyman. He is always carrying out jobs given to him by 'Belly' - big and small. Outside of the kennels, John is an avid fan of golf and enjoys maintaining his vegetable garden and hen house in the local town.

ABBY RACE

GAILE ELTRINGHAM

FUTURE KENNELHAND

Abby is the youngest member of the team at the kennels. Being Daughter of Carolyn and Granddaughter of Yvonne, she has been around greyhounds all of her life, and loves helping out where she can at the weekend. Abby has a few dogs of her own and is renowned for picking the best pup out of a litter!

GAILE ELTRINGHAM

KENNELHAND

Sister of Yvonne, Gaile has been helping in the kennels since her retirement from working for Thorn Lighting. Like Yvonne, Gaile has been around greyhounds since she was a young girl, and puts to good use the experience and knowledge passed down from their Dad, Bob.

AMIE TRAY

CAITLIN MOLE

SHONA PETCH

KENNELHAND

Amie is one of our longest serving full time kennelhands. She is very thorough and meticulous when working with our greyhounds, as well as when carrying out any kennel maintenance duties. Amie is an all round animal lover and shares this love and affection with the dogs in our care.

SHONA PETCH

CAITLIN MOLE

SHONA PETCH

KENNELHAND

Shona is an extremely dedicated and hard working member of our team. First coming to the kennels as a work experience student, she quickly fell in love with greyhounds. After a brief spell away from us with another Trainer, Shona rejoined our team on a full time basis and hasn't looked back since.

CAITLIN MOLE

KENNELHAND

Caitlin is a newer member of our team of kennelhands, who initially joined as a work experience student. After a brief spell as a volunteer, Caitlin discovered her passion for working with greyhounds and decided to join our team full time.

JESSIE LEE

CAITLIN MOLE

VOLUNTEER

Jessie joined us as a work experience student and continues to be a helpful volunteer on various days of the week. She loves working with the dogs and likewise, they enjoy being in her company.

Comments

Susan Williams, Owner:

"We wouldn't have our racing greyhounds anywhere else. It is a real family business with Yvonne's daughter Carolyn, sister Gaile, grandson Lewis, husband John, mam Joan and granddaughter Abby. Yvonne and her staff have looked after our pups from a young age up to racers and various other racing dogs over the last 12 years. The kennels are immaculate, the Staff, especially Carolyn and Gaile, really put the extra effort into the care of the greyhounds and as a result the dogs are always happy. We would most definitely recommend Yvonne Bell and her team if you have or are thinking of getting a greyhound. "

Clare Hadden, Owner:

"When I arrived at Yvonne Bell Greyhounds with a fairly average grader, I didn't expect miracles but I was pleasantly surprised when our bitch flew up the grades to A1, absolutely thriving in their care. The attention to detail is meticulous and that, combined with their knowledge achieves great results even with average dogs. Greyhounds have been in this family for generations and there's not much that they don't know about them, furthermore, they are always approachable and helpful and the staff are excellent. The dogs are happy there and their results speak for themselves. Visiting on Sunday is the highlight of my week, everyone is always so friendly and helpful."

Joy Foster, Owner:

"I highly recommend Yvonne Bell and the team at Bishops Close. This is a family run kennels with full time staff who all have a passion and love for greyhounds. The kennels themselves are spotless and the dogs are always well turned out. All dogs in their care are given the utmost care and attention with nothing spared. The family are first class. Yvonne is always at hand to offer advice, and the staff are dedicated and cheerful, always offering a warm welcome. I have had 6 greyhounds here and I am pleased they are in the best place. I call Carolyn the 'Dog Whisperer', she is amazing and just has this gift. I cannot recommend them enough."