Letter from the Chairman
As I write this at the end of May the day is warm with blue skies above and it gives me a lovely feeling that summer is just around the corner. It has been a very busy spring with almost everyday someone arriving with a baby duckling they had found orphaned and at the time of writing I have seven and I am pleased to report all are doing extremely well. Although I suspect more will arrive before you receive this magazine!
Three baby squirrels arrived late spring having fallen out of a tree that had been cut down, they were so tiny and all three still had their eyes closed. Sadly two of them did not survive due to the fall but little Nutkin survived and is doing really well. Another squirrel also arrived with a head injury, a sweet little fellow who I have name Scooby who will also remain with me.
Three fledglings blackbirds arrived next, none of them related but I put them together in a cage with a hot water bottle in my conservatory. The next day a female blackbird appeared in my garden and to my surprise began coming into the conservatory with food to feed them all! Every day she would push her beak through the bars of the cage ensuring each fledgling received their share of the food. I named her "Mary Poppins" as I felt I had acquired a nanny and she was such a help allowing me to spend more time caring for the other animals and birds.
This amazing blackbird continued to feed the young birds until they were ready to be released and I was not at all surprised when she took charge in the garden teaching them how to find food and I am delighted at such a happy ending for them all.
It just leaves me to thank you one and all for your lovely letters donations and such wonderful gifts you send for us to sell plus food for the animals. I hope you all enjoy a wonderful summer, nature and everything around you!
Betty Price (Chairman)
Hinton Martel - Service and Blessing for Animals 2011
This year we are happy to welcome Rebekah
Long who is a representavtive for the Marmaris Cat Welfare Trust who
was delighted to accept our invitation to be this years guest speaker
at our annnual animal service and blessing. Ms Long is hoping to
bring along her dog she has rescued from overseas to the service. We look forward to seeing her on the day and hearing about her work.
Former Animals' Voice Trustee, the late
Revered Canon Barnard founded this Service in the picturesque village
of Hinton Martel in the late 1960's. Furthermore it is still one
of only a handful of Services held to celebrate animals throughout the
country. Since his death, successors of Reverend Canon Barnard
have graciously supported this Service which allows this event to take
place and we are most grateful to Reverend Ann Gee who for the past
five years has conducted this Service on our behalf.
In order that this prestigious ceremony
can continue support is needed and it is worth remembering that this
Blessing and Service to celebrate our animals and pets are one of the
few occasions animals are welcomed into Church! Please make a
note in your diary to join us on the day and to remind family and
friends that they are also welcome to join us.
Smaller animals such as rabbits, cats and
dogs are blessed inside the church with larger animals such as horses
blessed in outside. Even if you don't have a pet everyone is
welcome and it is an excellent opportunity to meet old and make new
friends. We look forward to seeing you on the day which is open
to everyone. Encourage the young to bring along their pets and
take part in our friendly afternoon animal service and blessing.
After
the service and blessing everyone is welcome to join us in the village
hall next door for a cup of tea and slice of cake. This will give
you an opportunity to meet the Chairman of Animals' Voice and to meet
Chrisse Davies representing Waggy Tails Rescue.
Patron Michael
Williams.....
Finds sources of encouragement - and work to be done!
Earlier this year our hearts were warmed by pictures and stories about Treo, the black labrador; who won the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. His life-saving skills sniffing out the horrific roadside bombs in Afghanistan. Treo once detected a chain of linked explosives - earning him and handler Sergeant Dave Heyhoe the Dickin Medal, presented at the Imperial War Museum.Radio and television, newspapers and magazine all featured this dog's brilliant exploits - wonderful publicity boosts for animal welfare.
In February too a Cornish Liberal Democrat MP, Andrew George, was named MP of the Year by the Kennel Club. Andrew, a long time sporting friend, was recognised as "top dog" for his work in ensuring that legislation in the House of Commons meant owners take responsibility for their animals when they visit the coast. In a press statement, he said of the Marine & Coastal Access Act: "This has to be managed in a way which does not adversely conflict with other people, the environment and wildlife. As a result of the efforts made, I think the legislation strikes the right balance."
These are positive results, encouraging all of us. And it may seem strange to link them to the passing of Michael Foot, passionate Labour radical and orator - a dog owner and dog lover. Whether he was calling for banning the bomb or improving health service facilities or raising standards in schools, he chmapioned his cause with passion. And we, in our more modest ways, should be inspired to bring passion - and compassion - to animal welfare issues.
There is work to be done, victories to be achieved. It may be writing to a Minister in London or our local MP - or the European Parliament. Finding a home for an unwanted cat or dog. Attending an Animals' Voice fund-raising event or sending a donation to an animal sanctuary.
We should remember too the early reforms, drawing strength from their vision, men like Richard Martin MP, 1754-1834. They called him "Humanity Dick" because of his work for animals.
On one famous occasion, he prosecuted a costermonger for cruelty to his donkey. In the court room it became clear the magistrates were not going to convict. "Humnity Dick" left the court and returned with the donkey. When the magistrates saw the state of the animal they had no choice but to find the costermonger "guilty." The case made big news and was turned into a song: an important victory.
PS Now comes the great news that 55% of MEPS (405 of them) across the European Union have supported the call for a review of legislation affecting 100,000 horses being transported across Europe, each year for slaughter.
Jo White, Director of Campaigns at World Horse Welfare, said "I am absolutely thrilled so many people have got behind the campaign.... We need to ensure pressure is maintained."
Please write to the new Commissioner for Health John Dalli who is responsible for transport regulations. His address is European Commission for Health and Consumers, 8-1049, Brussels. We are on the right road - and must deluge him with postcards. A carcass only trade is our goal.