Sunday 6th July 2008 Annual Fun Day & Fayre

 

On Sunday 6^th July Blackmore End Village Hall was the place to be for animal lovers! The Danaher Animal Home’s Fun Day took place there and as usual was a huge success despite the rain that attempted to drive people away. Nonetheless many loyal supporters arrived and many stayed for the day, enjoying the attractions which withstood the “precipitation” as Dave Gronland our compčre called it!

 

The day began optimistically with sunshine and the steady arrivals of the stallholders and arena display artists.  After music from Dave Gronland, the handsome Suffolk Punch commenced the day with a show in the arena. Then the huskies took off round the arena attracting a lot of applause as the two beautiful dogs pulled the lady on the sled. The Braintree Samba Band provided a lovely medley of music before the striking Ayletts Farm Shire Horses took to the arena to show off their good looks and strong forms.

 

The belly dancers from ‘Fragrance of the East’ definitely caused a stir. They wiggled and gyratted to the music but it was also the colourful patterns of their minimal clothing which added to the scene! Whilst everyone was still glued to the sides of the arena the Danaher staff thought it a prime time to walk some of the dogs from the Centre who were up for rehoming.

 

The dogs were paraded around the arena whilst the public address system gave a running on their vital statistics, including their name, breed, and a bit about their background and how they happened to be in the rescue home. Throughout the day several more dogs from the Centre were brought up to the event to be shown in the arena to attract attention for rehoming.

 

Whilst events were occurring in the main arena, there was an ongoing dog show presented in a side arena which proved very popular as did the agility course which provided a fun activity for the dogs taking part.  As well as the many trade stalls, there were also refreshments for the public to wander around.

 

It didn’t take too long to pack everything up at the end of the day as there were so many staff and volunteers to help with it all, and, with impeccable timing, the heavens opened just as the last people left the cleared field. I’m sure everyone would like to thank all those involved in making the day such an achievement. Despite the rain the day was a triumph for all involved, and we are all already looking forward to next year when it shall be on Sunday 8^th July 2009.

 

By Lucy Smith.

Volunteer Friend of the Danaher Animal Home