Hot off the press! Click on the link for the November 2008 issue of Sanctuary Tales                                  Visit by Kenneth Clarke, MP for Rushcliffe On Monday 1 December, Kenneth Clarke MP visited Manor Farm.  He has long been a friend and supporter of us and our work here, and commented on how much work had been done, and the improvements made since his last visit.     Ken with Rita Thurman & Glynnis Robinson, co-owners of Manor Farm, and Lyn Boyle, Nursery Manager, and Philip Titterton from the Education Team     Ken sees our new Lapland Tipi in the woods - all ready for Santa's visit this Christmas     Lyn shows Ken what work has been done this year on the Nursery Children's Garden f                                                                               Donkey & Llama Fun Day a roaring success! 27th July 2008                                             It was a brilliant day in brilliant weather when the donkeys and llamas got together at Manor Farm for their annual fun day.  Melvyn Osborne, one of the staff at Manor Farm, organised the event and was joined by Vivien Ives from the British Llama Society and many friends from all over the country. Their llamas took part in parades, competitions and displays so families could enjoy the spectacle of seeing all of these magnificent beasts - many for the first time! Here is a flavour of the day's events, but you really had to be there to appreciate it.                                   Llamas doing what they do best - looking very grand!                                                                                                             Daniel, 9, and Jennifer, 6, came all the way over from Calabria in Italy visiting family and called in to join in the donkey egg & spoon race.                                                             Jessica, 8, and Megan, 5 are more local - in East Leake itself!                       Jessica and Megan with their winner's rosettes How did 5 month old sister Katie get in on the act?   Now it is Abi May & Ben Turner's chance to compete   Time for the llamas to do the obstacle course.                     and show off their rosettes.                                   And the donkeys are never very far away at Manor Farm                   Who could possibly choose the best looking donkey or llama? They are all so gorgeous                           Melvyn and Jacqui, the organisers of the Llama Fun Day                             Always time for a fuss   Sooty takes centre stage for her magic tricks. Playing the horn.....   .....and answering questions.  Who's a clever girl, then?   1st Barrow upon Soar Rainbows hold a sponsored silence to raise money for Dusky   On Friday 30th May girls from the 1st Barrow upon Soar Rainbow Group came with Linda & Helen, 2 of the Rainbow leaders, to present a cheque for £450 to Glennis Robinson, one of the owners of Manor Farm, to help pay for Dusky's treatment.  The money was raised through a sponsored silence held by the girls earlier this month - see below. As Linda Vesty said afterwards, "One of Baden-Powell's first Scout laws in 1908 was 'A Scout is a friend to animals' and although Rainbows are really too young to start worrying about 'smiling and whistling under all circumstances' or being 'courteous' and 'thrifty' it is never too early to start encouraging them to help others."  Wonderful sentiments indeed, and one we could all benefit from taking into our own lives.                     Glennis Robinson and Ron Maslin, Adoptions Co-ordinator, accept the cheque     Linda Vesty, Rainbow guider, with the Rainbow Group     Following a trip during their Easter holidays to East Leake Manor Farm Animal Centre & Donkey Sanctuary, 1st Barrow-Upon-Soar Rainbows decided that they would like to raise money to help pay for specialist veterinarian treatment needed by one of the donkeys. So on Tuesday 13th May, during their regular weekly meeting, a sponsored silence was held and all the Rainbows, with a little encouragement from their leaders, managed to stay silent for a whole 30 minutes - no mean feat for a 6yr old girl - and they are now expecting to raise over an amazing £425. Ron Maslin, Adoptions Coordinator at Manor Farm, came along to the meeting to thank the girls personally and to give each Rainbow a special 'We raised money for Dusky' badge. Two leaders and three of the Rainbows are hoping to go along to the Farm, during the next half term holiday, to present the cheque to them.                    Dusky is the mother of Tammy, our baby donkey.  Dusky came to us in a really sorry state, having been very badly neglected.  She had sarcoids - equine growths - on her face and in her ears.  We could not treat her immediately as we had to wait for Tammy to be born and weaned.  Now that has happened we have sent Dusky away for specialist, intensive treatment in the hope that her condition will improve. The latest news on Dusky is that her treatment is beginning to take effect and improvements have been seen!  The sarcoids on her leg have dropped off and her ears are starting to dry out.  The vets have decided to stop the treatment temporarily to give her body a rest from the chemotherapy, but plan to restart it soon in the hope that she will further improve.              BBC TV at Manor Farm! In April 2008 Manor Farm Birds of Prey Centre helped in the rescue of a Tawny Owl, found badly injured at Stanton-by-Dale in Derbyshire.  Tony Kinton, our falconer, had been working with Inspector Helen Meade of the RSPCA to nurse the owl back to health, and Friday the 2nd May saw the culmination of a real success story. The owl, named Max by 2 girls who regularly visited with their grandma to see him, has made a wonderful recovery and was well enough to be released back into the wild.  The BBC filmed the event for a production of Animal Rescue, due to be broadcast this Autumn. Tony & Helen - and Max! - were stars for the day, although they modestly declined make-up and a 40ft dressing room trailer. Tony will be delighted to show you around our fabulous, new Bird Prey Centre and introduce you to the birds there - please see the boards on-site for the times he will be open.    Max the real star of the show!      Tony Kinton and Helen Meade of the RSPCA                 Lights, camera, action!     Take 2
Easter Parade: March 2008     Bluey as a daffodil     Jammie as a chicken     Popeye is such a lamb                                                                                         Sooty with her Easter Bonnet The Easter Parade line-up
Heidi leads the Palm Sunday Parade at Costock church: March 2008   Manor Farm was invited to take a donkey to Costock church last Sunday to lead the Palm Sunday Parade.  Heidi rose admirably to the challenge; she proudly and calmly led the congregation as they sang on their way through the streets to the church.   Entering the church was a step too far for Heidi, who preferred to wait patiently in the porch listening to the service and nibbling on the occasional ginger biscuit.  She enjoyed all the fuss and attention she received as people left the church and she especially liked the piece of Easter cake from one member of the congregation