Open Day Success

Pablo’s merchandise stall

Hi everybody

Hope you all had a great bank holiday weekend!  As regular readers will know, Pablo’s Open Day was held on Sunday 26th August and what a fantastic afternoon was had by all!  The day started with all the volunteers arriving early to start on the yard duties and these were all done by 10.30am.  After a quick coffee break, and a final sweep of the yard (making sure that everything was ship shape and bristol fashion!), it was time to start setting up all the stalls.  Everything looked fabulous, until it was realised that Little Jerry was still in his field (dressing rooms…oh the indignity of it all!) and there were stalls set out in front of his gate – whoops! – so after moving the stalls, Little Jerry was safely led to one of the pens, ready for his demonstrations.

View down the yard

The main gate was opened at noon (as planned) and all visitors were met with a warm welcome by volunteer Jolanda, and given an information pack.  On the yard there were stalls to browse; bric-a-brac, find out how to sponsor a horse, our merchandise stall where t-shirts, polo-shirts, sweat-shirts, and cards were on sale and you could register for this year’s Sponsored Dog Walk  (Saturday 20th October).  There was pin-the-tail-on-Jack game (don’t worry a cardboard photo of Jack was used!) and great prizes to be won on the raffle (thank you to R&R Countrystore and our volunteers/supporters for supplying prizes).  Also there were delicious home-made quichesand pies on sale, as well as amazing home-made cakes, which were all made by our volunteers.

Little Jerry

Dolly’s special appearance

Throughout the afternoon there were demonstrations by Dr Ray Smith on back problems, covering both human and horse trauma, and opportunities to speak to Dr Ray about the correct fitting of a saddle   Tel: 07790 701876   Mob: 07870 772352 (24hr Call out).  Also, Louise from Vale Hypnotherapy was giving advice on clinical hypnotherapy, mind coaching and relaxation techniques www.vale-hypnotherapy.com or call 07960 839122.

Little Jerry, along with volunteer Rachel, gave demonstrations on some of the basic training techniques he has learnt through his clicker training, over the past few months.  Being a true start, Little Jerry thoroughly enjoyed all the fuss and attention visitors gave him, which was in stark contrast to last year, where he was untamed and wild and didn’t want humans anywhere near him.  My how times have changed, Little Jerry was an absolute star.

 Malty!

And lastly, the rest of our ensemble cast of stars; the horses and ponies on the yard, including Dolly (who at 47 years old, one of our OAPs) who put in a special appearance and Malty who stood at the gate the whole afternoon wanting to met everyone.  Our four-month old foal Lilly and mum Arian, were meeting and greeting and everyone fell in love with the beautiful Lilly.

A big thank you to Joan, Anne, Ruthie, and Paul Hubbard of  PeeWee toilet hire. Not only did they provide the two portable loos for the day, they also sponsored Cherry, signed up for the dog walk and bought merchandise.  Please see their website link on the right.

A huge thank you to ALL our super volunteers for giving their time, their energy and their skills to make the day so enjoyable.  We could not have done it without you.

Lilly making more friends

And a massive thank you to everyone who came to visit the Open Day and showed such tremendous support for the charity.  On the day, everyone raised over £550, which will go towards the care of the horses and ponies.

And lastly, a sincere thank you all who attended (or provided support) on the day.  We hope you enjoyed being a part of it all, as much as we did having you along for the afternoon.

More stalls

THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!!!

 

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Count-down to Open Day on Sun 26 Aug

Jubail

Hi Everyone

All the horses and ponies are well, and the count-down is now on to Pablo’s Open Day on Sunday 26th August – less than a week to go!  Preparations are all in hand, and volunteers have been working hard to make it a special day and we hope you’ll be able to join us!   There will be tours of yard and barn, where you’ll be introduced to some of the horses and ponies, including our lovely Cherry.  Our lovely grey pony, Little Jerry will be demonstrating what he has learnt through clicker training, and with relaxation demonstrations from Vale Hypnotherapy and also Dr Ray will be there giving advice, there is plenty to see.  Refreshments and home-made cakes will be on sale, along with stalls for you to browse, a raffle with great prizes and you can find out more about what we do.  It’s free entry so that you can bring all your family and friends, and we hope that you can join us for a few hours on Sunday afternoon.

Wendy and Rachel at Morrison’s store collection

On Wednesday, volunteers Wendy and Rachel were at Morrison’s supermarket, Lings Bar in Gamston holding a store collection.  An amazing £215 was raised and we’d like to express a huge thank you to Morrisons for their support and to all their special and generous customers for their kind donations to help the horses and ponies.

Volunteers Wendy and Sue also took Pablo’s New and Nearly New Equine stall to Eastwell Fete on Saturday 18th August which raised a fantastic £77. A huge thank you to all of the Eastwell Fete committee for making us very welcome. Then on Sunday 19th August, volunteers Wendy, Chris and Gerry took the Equine stall to  Soar Valley Riding Club where a magnificent £232 was raised!  Also the Pablo’s volunteers were asked to judge 2 classes and received a donation from the Club for their services.  A big thank you to Emma, the Committee and  all of the members  for their continued support. It is planned for the New and Nearly-new Equine Stall to be back at the next show on 16th September.

New and Nearly-new Equine Stall at Soar Valley Riding Club

As well as the Open Day next weekend, there is quite a bit of fundraising going on over the Bank Holiday weekend.  On Saturday, John and Jenny will be holding a bric-a-brac stall on Melton Market and they’ll be bringing more of their delicious home-made cakes to sell – so don’t miss out!  On Sunday it’s the Open Day, and also Wendy will be holding a New and Nearly-new Equine stall at  the Sutton Bonington Riding Club show.  On Monday John, Jenny and Kat will be at Old Dalby Day holding a tombola stall and Wendy and the New and Nearly New Equine Stall will be at Sproxton Gala Day.

Thank you this week to long-standing supporter Lyn from Gotham for her kind donation, and the customers and Sally at the Castle pub in Eaton for putting £17 in the collection tin held at the Castle pub.  Also thank you to Wendy for her kind donation of bags of horse feed, treats and bric-a-brac, and to Nikki and George for sourcing some fantastic tombola prizes from their friends to help with the fundraising.  If you have any unwanted items that would be suitable for tombola prizes, please get in touch with Carole.

Sue at Eastwell Fete

Hope to see you all at the Open Day – have a good week.

New Home

Dreamer and Darcy leaving today for their new home

Hi Everyone

All the horses and ponies are well.  We are pleased to announce that today (Sun 12th Aug) saw the safe transfer of Dreamer and Darcy to their new home in Grantham.  Their new foster owner, Karen came to collect them, and having loaded them onto their trailer (see action photo), they arrived safely at their new home together.  We wish them both a happy life and are delighted that they are going to such a wonderful home.

This week, look out for our volunteers Wendy and Rachel at Morrison’s in Gamston on Wednesday 15th August, as Morrison’s supermarket has very kindly offered this date for a store collection, and also Wendy who will be at Eastwell Fete on Saturday 18th August, with the Pablo’s New and Nearly New Equine stall.

The growing Lilly and mum Arian

Only two weeks to go before Pablos’s Open Day on Sunday 26th August…..so remember to come down and see us.  Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the lady who volunteered to provide the face-painting is no longer able to help.  If there is anyone out there who would be able to offer their services for face-painting for the afternoon, please could you get in touch with Carole.

We would like to give a huge thank you to Dr Gallop, for her extremely kind donation of a delivery of all the lovely bales of hay, which arrived on Saturday, and to all our volunteers for unloading all of them. Also, thank you to the 2nd Bottleford Brownies for their donation of £15.37 which they had collected from their Brownies Penny Jar, and also to Sue from Leicester for her kind donation, and to Janet and Sophie for their donations of equine items for the stall and finally to Mr & Mrs Thomas of All Ashes Equestrian Services for kindly washing some winter rugs for us.  You’re all stars!

Kizzy, Bussie and Sparky

We are appealing for more bric-a-brac to sell at car boots sales, to raised much needed funds, in particularly if you have any good quality ladies clothes and baby clothes.  So please get in touch with Carole if you are able to help.

Have a good week and remember to put Sunday 26th August in your diaries!!!

The Pablo’s Corner

General, Little Jerry, Magnum and Christina

Hi Everyone

All the horses and ponies are well and have been enjoying the snatches of sunshine that we’ve had this week.  We are pleased to report that a lovely,  local foster home has been found for the other two Dartmoor yearlings, Dodger and Dizzy.  At the moment preparations are being made for the transport arrangements, so that the Dodger and Dizzy can join as companions to  another yearling, and will be brought on over the next few years.  As regular readers know, we are still looking for permanent foster homes for two beautifully coloured ponies who are approx 2 years old and are standing at 13hh.  If you have the suitable facilities and appropriate horse knowledge and experience, and would like more information please get in touch with Carole.

Pablos stall at Vale View over the weekend

Over the whole weekend, Pablo’s new and nearly new equine stall was held at Vale View Equestrian Centre, at their Arena Eventing Final.  A fantastic weekend was had, which raised £229.00, along with some very kind compliments given .   Also, we had the honour of a fence named after us on the course over the weekend – The Pablos Corner!  and every time it was announced over the tanoy our volunteers got very excited!  The naming of The Pablo’s Corner fence was made more special, as Pablo (the small pony with the crooked leg, which the Sanctuary is in honour to) loved to jump, and when he was in his paddock and there were poles and jumps set up, he used to take himself round the jumps on his own.

General

We would like to give a big thank you to Wendy, Sue, Sue’s mum, Chris and Rosie for volunteering their time over both days, and doing such a fantastic job (as always).  During the weekend, Wendy had her photo taken with the stall for Equestrian Life magazine and this will be featured in their September issue. So look out for the feature!  We would also like to give a huge thank you to Julie and Mark Hyslop at Vale View Equestrian Centre for their continued support.

Wendy will be taking the new and nearly-new equine stall to the Eastwell Show on Saturday 18th August.  However, we are looking for more stock (due to the recent successes) so please, if you have any equine items or equine clothing that you no longer require, please contact Wendy Carter on 07831 453504   (please note no message service) or email:  whcarter@onetel.com.

This week we would like to give a big thank your to Ken and Ann Johnstone for raising £120 from car boot sales, Peter Rowe of Greenwood Stock Boxes in Nether Broughton for the kind donation of £90, and Cynthia Mack and her daughter Marie for donating £20 in lieu of a birthday present to her husband Ian!  Also to the Severn Hill residents, especially to Dave and Pauline Iceland for holding a film evening with DVDs of Jubilee street party being sold.  Ernie Pope edited all the DVDs together and volunteered his time to do this and a fantastic £90 was raised on the evening.  A big thank you to everyone who support the stall on the Melton Mowbray market, which Carole and volunteer John, held on Saturday which raised a fantastic £105.

Another date for your diary, in addition to the Open Day on Sunday 26th August, (please see new section for more information), a music fundraising event is to be held at the Genny ‘B’ (The Generous Britton) in Melton Mowbray on Saturday 29th September, 8.00pm – 1.00am.  There will be two fantastic tribute bands, Jenni Jay (Lady Gaga) and Someone like Adele, so remember to save those dates!

Have a good week