The Donkey Sanctuary welcomed the Rt Hon Sir Hugo Swire to its international headquarters in Sidmouth last week, where he met the charity’s chief executive officer Mike Baker and was given a tour of the sanctuary.
The Member of Parliament for East Devon was given a brief history of the organisation and how it plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. Mr Swire heard how The Donkey Sanctuary contributes exponentially to the local economy by being one of the largest employers in East Devon and a leading regional tourist attraction.
The Donkey Sanctuary is celebrating 50 years since it was founded by its inspirational visionary: Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE.
The international animal welfare charity and award winning visitor attractioncelebrates its golden anniversary with a whole host of special events throughout 2019. The anniversary celebrations will be launched on 23 January, which would have been Dr Svendsen’s 89th birthday.
An awareness-raising highlight of 2019 will be presenting an artisan garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. The ‘Donkeys Matter’ garden will act as a focal point to...
A week-old orphaned donkey foal has been given a forever home with The Donkey Sanctuary, after its mother died shortly after giving birth. The foal was relinquished into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary by its owner, who wanted to give it the best start in life after its mother tragically died after suffering complications during foaling. Sadly, despite veterinary care and the best efforts of the donkey’s owner, her condition did not improve and the kindest thing to do was to put her to sleep. The week-old male foal is receiving round the clock care by staff at the international animal...
Landmark listed Sidmouth structure to be closed while council carries out essential maintenance
Sidmouth’s iconic Jacob’s Ladder, which leads up to Connaught Gardens from the beach below, will be closed for two to three weeks (weather depending) from 3 January 2019, while East Devon District Council’s local contractor C Sansom Ltd undertakes essential maintenance works to the structure.
The works were identified as part of the council’s principal inspections and involved looking at all elements of the structure in close detail from a mobile working platform. The remedial...
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rarely seen masterpiece “Aspects of Love” is to be staged in an exciting new production by the recently formed theatrical production company EX3 Productions. The company, established by local musical director Jeremy Rawlings, secured the rights after weeks of negotiations with the Really Useful Group.
The musical premiered in London’s West End 3 years after Phantom of the Opera, opening at the Prince of Wales theatre on 17th April 1989. The production ran for 3 years totting up a very respectable 1325 performances. The original cast starred Michael Ball who...
The Donkey Sanctuary is inviting volunteers to join them at Paccombe Farm near Sidmouth on Wednesday 7 November, to help carry out essential conservation work.
Volunteers are being sought to help carry out essential conservation work in woodland at The Donkey Sanctuary’s Paccombe Farm in Harcombe. Volunteers will join the charity’s conservation team and assist them with the traditional method of hazel coppicing. This form of management allows light to reach the woodland floor and helps to create a habitat suitable for a range of birds and mammals including the hazel dormouse....
The Donkey Sanctuary's Family Food Fair which was due to take place on Saturday (13 October) has been cancelled due to bad wather.
A spokesperson for The Donkey Sanctuary said: "As a result of weather warnings we have unfortunately cancelled the Family Food Fair, which was due to take place tomorrow, Saturday 13 October.
"With the location of the Fair in a marquee and high winds expected over the next 24 hours we must put the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers first.
"The sanctuary will remain open over the weekend, with The Kitchen offering hot food and...
The Member of Parliament for Tiverton and Honiton, Neil Parish, visited the main headquarters of the international animal welfare charity, The Donkey Sanctuary, in Sidmouth last Thursday (30 August). Mr Parish’s visit came at the end of a bumper summer that saw visitor numbers to the charity’s headquarters increase by 18% compared to last year. The increase in visitors is largely down to the charity opening a new visitor centre and a 220-seater restaurant, The Kitchen, this year. Neil Parish MP, hosted by the charity’s CEO Mike Baker, enjoyed a guided tour of the main Slade House Farm site...
A planning application has been submitted for a new bridge over the River Sid in Sidmouth.
Following a consultation earlier this year, Devon County Council has refined the design of the structure, amending its appearance and changing the materials which are proposed to be used.
The planned new footbridge would replace Alma Bridge, and would be approximately 37 metres upstream from the existing structure.
The bridge features a 19-metre span and would be accessed by short sections of steep ramps.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member...
The fourth annual Sidmouth Literary Festival kicks off on Friday and with a raft of exciting and bestselling authors. Friday opens with two sold out events: An Audience with Nicholas Parsons , and veteran broadcaster Kate Adie in conversation with Rene Wyndham.
Amongst Saturday’s highlights, Festival patron Judi Spiers talks to TP Fielden aka Christopher Wilson. As a journalist, Christopher wrote the William Hickey column in the Mail for a number of years as well as biographies of Prince Charles and Camilla. Now under the pseudonym TP Fielden he has created a new chapter as a crime...
