Sat 12th December
 Today all 3 donkeys spent a very happy time meeting children and visitors at Caerphilly Garden Centre. Our donations boxes were generously supported and our 3 donkeys really enjoyed all the attention. It was lovely to see smiles in every direction as customers of Caerphilly Garden

Centre got the opportunity to say hello to our eager donkeys. Jasper was particularly friendly and was often the first to the fence to say hello. A far cry from the nervous scared donkey who arrived at Amelia 3 years ago.
We still have 3 more dates at Caerphilly. 13th, 19th and 20th December. It would be nice to see you there!

Christmas Time

Its a busy season for donkeys and our 3 seem to have a full diary of Nativity's, parades and Christmas Fairs. 
On Dec 3rd all 3 donkeys spent an evening in Ely saying hello to local children and residents.

They all sported red Santa hats and thoroughly enjoyed all the extra attention. They still have some appearances to attend in their Christmas diary so you can see them in Rhwbina village on 8th Dec, or Caerphilly Garden Centre on 12th 13th, 19th and 20th December.

Donkey Duke of Edinburgh
 
On Monday 3rd August Jasper, Enoch and Polo made the journey to Carmarthenshire in readiness to begin a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition the following day. Unfortunately the rain was heavy and they happily snuggled into the generously straw filled barn kindly provided by the farm/campsite we were based  near Lampeter.
 
The donkeys and young people had already completed practice walks, and the young people had learnt to tack up the pack saddles, map read, put up tents, cook a meal on a camp stove and gained knowledge and experience of the  countryside code, first aid and how to tend to their animals along the journey.
 
Tuesday 4th August the heavens opened and none of our 3 donkeys wanted to leave the comforts of the barn. So with sun predicted the following day the young people left the donkeys safe in the barn and carried their own rucksacks on the 6 mile circular walk.
 
By the evening the rain had eased and donkeys and young people relaxed in the field.
 
Wed 5th August brought lovely sunshine and the donkeys were raring to go. Packed up in their new pack saddles Jasper and Polo easily carried rucksacks, while Enoch had throw over panniers containing lunches and first aid equipment. What Enoch lacks in stature and strength he gains in personality and encouragement.
 
Young people and donkeys made their way through some stunning forest tracks of Abergorlech. Lunch was taken by a lovely river and all 3 donkeys used their time off not to graze but to try and mug everyone's packed lunch!
 
9 miles later the end was in sight.
Well done to our first donkey assisted D of E Expedition!
 
Some people may wonder why include donkeys in this expedition? As far as I am aware we are the first UK DofE group to trek with donkeys. Our donkeys work with young people as part of an animal assisted therapy programme. For a young person with difficulties in their lives, walking 15 miles may not seem a very motivating thing to do, but add into this the chance to take their new long eared friend along too and it becomes more appealing. The focus of the journey now requires them to care for their companions before themselves. Each young person spent 6 months prior to the expedition learning how to care for the donkeys and making very special friendships. The donkeys thoroughly enjoyed themselves too.
 
Well done to the young people completing their Bronze Award, and its just the first of many we hope for our very special DofE Donkeys. 

 

9th July 2009
Donkeys help on FE course in Animal Assisted Therapy.

Adult students attending a course at Myerscough College in Preston visited  Amelia Farm to experience  for themselves how our donkeys can make a difference to the lives of people. The  visiting students already work as professionals in a Health or Social Care setting, but are learning how to use animals in therapy in conjunction with more traditional methods.

Jasper was especially cheeky and demanding of the attention, Enoch was his usual charming self and Polo lapped up the extra fuss. The aim of the visit was to experience how different animals and settings can be used to enhance the well being of people. By the end of the day the donkeys were so comfortable with their visitors that when set loose in the paddock each donkey chose to stay with their new friends and get more attention.

All agreed that our 3 adorable donkeys certainly have the charm and ability to make anyone who spends time with them feel wonderful.

Interaction with donkeys can be a very special experience, both for the humans and the donkeys involved. Donkeys adore human company.

See the Animal Assisted Therapy page on this website for more information.

Thurs 26th June
 
Enoch goes to College Fields Nursing Home
 
Today as part of a new initiative called "My Home Life" Enoch donkey made a special guest appearance at College Fields Nursing Home in Barry, and he was greeted by many residents and visitors on this special occasion. 
 You can read about the event on the College Fields Website  http://www.collegefieldsnursinghome.co.uk/index.html
 
Enoch sporting a new full body clip looked particularly smart. All his winter coat gone and wearing his favourite lavender show shine he began to win over the residents and dignitaries attending the My Home Life event. This was a national launch held by Age Concern Cymru and Help The Aged, and the Deputy Commissioner for Older People and Welsh Assembly Government.
 
Enoch was perfect in every way. Some residents hadn't seen a donkey since their childhood and being able to get so close to our donkey was very special. It is hoped that Enoch may now return regularly to see the residents. We also had many other requests from other care homes attending the event. It might be that Polo and Jasper  need to join in and share the future events!
 
Polo and Jasper have also had summer coat clips this week. I have to admit that they didn't stand quite as still and patiently as Enoch. Hence Enoch looks very smart and Polo an Jasper look a little like the Collie dog on the Spec Savers advert. At least they are all cool in the  current heat wave and the remaining winter coat will brush out over the next few weeks.

Tuesday 9th June

ENOCH GOES TO SCHOOL

Enoch donkey has again edged ahead in the most unusual places to take a donkey competition, as today he has spent his morning in the Science lab at Woodlands High School.
 
Enoch calmly walked into the classroom and spent 3 happy hours meeting pupils, being groomed and cared for and generally made a fuss of. (He did get a 15 min break each time the bell went when he was allowed out to play, or in his case eat grass!)
The pupils were learning about taking responsibility for an animal and my goodness did Enoch look smart when he left. Mane trimmed, tail trimmed, feet oiled, ears cleaned, eyes wiped, and teeth cleaned. In fact Enoch did look rather scruffy when he arrived due to only just starting to loose his winter coat. Thanks to the efforts of pupils at Woodlands most of his winter coat is now out and more than likely clogging all the washing machines with Woodlands High School sweatshirts.  
Thank you to Woodlands school for making us so welcome.

 

Sunday 17th May
 
The Magic of Family Walking.

On Sunday the Cardiff Ramblers arranged a family walk held here at Amelia Farm. The aim was to encourage children to try walking. To make it all a little more fun the farms 3 donkeys, Jasper, Enoch and Polo joined the walkers for most of their route. The weather was very showery but we did manage to enjoy the dry periods in between.  All 3 donkeys were perfect hosts allowing the children to lead them across the meadow and through the woods.

Jasper and Enoch were glad to be involved this time! Jasper particularly enjoyed walking alongside the children, Enoch walked his usual extra slow pace, but Polo spent most of his time eating everything in sight!
 
An enjoyable morning was had by all.

 

Palm Sunday 5th April
 
The donkeys are always busy at Christmas and Easter, and this year was no exception. Sadly we just couldn't be in every Church that requested us, but I hope the 4 churches we did get to enjoyed our visits.
 
At 7am on Palm Sunday 3 of us went to the donkeys stable and paddock to decide which donkey would go out to the churches. We did think about taking all 3 but Jasper can be a little nervous in public yet and a quick turn around after each parade meant that taking all 3 wasn't really practical. Now some donkeys will come out with a trusted leader on their own but none of them will tolerate being left in the paddock alone. They panic as they are naturally bonded animals. So we had the option of taking all 3 donkeys or just one.  We decided on a practical method of choosing if Polo or Enoch went out today. (who is the cleanest) On reaching the field it was obvious that Enoch who is dapple grey in colour (a variation of white) had been partying in the mud! So the decision was made. Yet again Polo donkey won through. To be honest the others didn't seem to mind.
 
Polo represented us well, as did the 2 young people handling him. He led parades in Peterston-Super Ely, Cowbridge, Llancarfan and Rhoose. I think the local paper must have been confused by how many places a donkey called Polo cropped up!
 
Thank you to everyone's support, we had a wonderful day leading your parades and Polo once again cemented his celebrity status. Extra carrots all round.
Ann

April 3rd 2009
Polo donkey spent a happy afternoon on Monday and Tuesday visiting the pupils at Rhoose Nursery School. The children were very well behaved and considerate towards Polo and Polo lapped up being the centre of attention and stood patiently as all 36 children in each of the  2 classes gave him a pat and had a look at his cross. The visit was planned to coincide with the children's Easter projects.
 
Polo seems to be getting himself a name as a bit of a celebrity. Enoch is possibly feeling a little left out. We still haven't decided which donkey will go to the churches this weekend for Palm Sunday , but all 3 have had a mane cut and hoof clean today in anticipation. I guess the cleanest come Sunday morning gets to go out.
 
The final arrangements if you want to come see us are.. Peterston Super Ely 9am, Cowbridge 10am, Llancarfan 11am and Rhoose at 12MD. A busy morning ahead but always good fun and enjoyed by all and the donkeys.

26th Feb 2009 - Palm Sunday

Jasper, Enoch and Polo can now confirm that they will be leading Palm Sunday parades in 3 local villages on Sunday April 5th. For anyone wishing to see them they will be in Peterson Super Ely at 9am, Cowbridge at 10am and Llancarfan at 11am. Each parade finishes at the church in the village and is then followed by a service.

We are still undecided if all 3 donkeys will take part or whether Enoch or Polo go out alone. I suppose its probably a good idea to decide on the morning when we see which of them is the cleanest!

Ann

Mon 9th Feb 2009 - A Donkey walks into a bar..........

Well after a few phone calls to check the inclement weather wasn't going to stop the filming, a clean and dry Polo was in the horsebox on his way into the Centre of Cardiff.

We arrived at The Vulcan Pub  at 4pm, and I have to admit I was rather nervous as to how Polo donkey would behave, but I  need not have worried as he was a Star.

We were there to take part in the filming of a new music video for a Cardiff Band called Future of The Left.

Polo walked up and down the street for the camera,(getting rather wet in the rain) and then into the pub through the front door as though he was a regular. In fact he spent 2 hours filming in the pub and he enjoyed every moment.  Polo did catch us out with a poop accident, but we were relieved that it was a wooden floor and easily rectified. ( thanked our stars that he saved having a wee until outside, but it was a close call ! )

Our donkey stood at the bar, had a cup of tea with a customer, had a small child sitting on him, (passing underneath him was not attempted)   he danced with an elderly regular customer and behaved so well. He didn't seem to get bored even though filming can be a tedious pass time and took 2 hours.

Apart from the Poop related accident the only thing that phased Polo for a short while was the noise of the smoke machine. It didn't take too long to get used to it and back into professional donkey actor mode though. He really didn't mind being inside.

As soon as the video is completed I will post a link for you to see his 15 minutes of fame.

Movies next?

Well done Polo.

Ann

Polo in a Pop Video!  

Feb 5th 2009

Well I did think that our donkeys had pretty much done all that is possible
for 4 hoofs and long ears
to do!

If you already know Jasper, Polo and Enoch you will be aware of their busy social calendar of events, visits and shows. I did think the hospital ward visit was the most unusual, but it appears I was wrong!

A telephone call from a media company today..........

"Have we a donkey that can stand outside the Vulcan Pub  for a Music Video? Its for a Cardiff Band called Future of the Left."

So after sending Jasper, Polo and Enoch's photographs to the media company, lucky Polo donkey had just the look they needed!  Enoch had the experience but sadly not the TV presence!

The conversation continued.....

" Will Polo enter the pub and stand at the bar?"  

"Well I replied........ Only one way to find out, I know Enoch donkey definitely will, but he doesn't have the look your after, so Ill practice taking Polo inside buildings this week and see how we go on the day when the camera is rolling"

"Well if he wont go inside the pub we can film him outside the door, oh and there is an old saying
about passing a poorly 
child underneath a donkey to make them well again. Would Health and Safety and Polo allow us to do
that do you think?"

"Urmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"

So come back to this blog next week where you can read how Polo gets on. Will he enter the pub? Will the carpet survive? Will Enoch donkey have to stand in for him if he gets stage fright? Will a child get passed safely underneath him? Who is going to volunteer their child?

Maybe they need an agent!

Find out next week!

Ann