On Thursday, October 6, Jo White, president, welcomed eleven members and seven guests to our meeting.

There were four apologies for absence. She then introduced Trevor Smitheram to give us an illuminating talk on the Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth, Devon, with the help of many slides colourfully projected onto a screen.

Trevor explained he originally owned a small holding of four acres with his wife, four children and some donkeys.  He then accepted the job of welfare officer at Sidmouth and was among 64 others who went off for training.

Initially the owner had ten farms in the area near Sidmouth bequeathed to her.  There were then 10,000 donkeys in the UK   She bought seven donkeys but in 1972 she was left 204 in a will, together with a vet’s bill of £8,000.   She therefore had to register the business as a charity and with the RSPCA the welfare fficers went off for training with 36 homes to inspect and concentrating on caring for the donkeys.

Nowadays they have two lorries in use to collect donkeys, they travel into Europe to collect them and even venture into the peatbogs of Ireland, but do not prosecute owners for their neglect or abuse.  Each donkey has a collar with its name and different colour hoof-tags to distinguish it from others.  From 2007 with the Animal Welfare Act each one must pass that it is fit to travel and must have its own passport.

Donkeys can live to be 57 but their average age is 35. They are social animals and must not be kept on their own.  Members were then shown several cute shots of donkeys, with a cat sitting on their head or a cockerel on their back.  Some donkeys are taken in to care homes and can be used as therapy for youngsters with physical or mental problems. Finally, Trevor showed some endearing shots of his own female donkey Donna and her son Don.

After questions from the audience, Helen Naylor thanked him enthusiastically and appreciatively for such an informative talk, especially as he had travelled such a distance from West Cornwall to be with us.

In the business part of the meeting the minutes from the previous meeting were approved and signed.  Jo White, acting treasurer in the absence of Tricia Allen, gave the financial report, saying all was in good order.

The Christmas coffee morning on Saturday, December 3, was then discussed, and each member is requested to give £3 to Helen Naylor for her to buy the items for the hamper to be raffled.  The proceeds from the raffle this year will be divided between St Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth and the Cornwall Blood Bikes as previously unanimously agreed.

The Christmas meal is to be booked for Tuesday, December 6, at 12.30 for 1pm (meal).  As usual the competition will be for “the most decorative wrapped Christmas gift” to the value of £5.  Christmas cards or a donation in lieu can be given out.

Members have also been asked to supply a cake for the cake stall at St Nonna’s Christmas Bazaar on November 19, which will be manned by Helen Naylor with help from new member Jane.

The competition for a “fun-shaped carrot” was won by Dorothy Knight, with Mo Juby second and Chris Evans third.  The raffle was won by Deborah Reader.