With all the snow we have over this past month we are hoping there will be no shortage of photos of donkeys in the snow for our calendar, also any photos of Carol services, Nativity Plays,and taking Father Christmas on his rounds will also be welcome.
Many thanks to everybody who sent photos in of the London Parade if there are any more out there they will be most welcome to add to our display.

The members of the DBS were out in force to represent the donkey at the Annual New Year's Day Parade in London. Click on the photo to go to some of the pictures of them getting ready for the start.
Carole Travell kindly sent the photos into the Gallery but obviously could not take anymore once she was driving in the Parade if there were any members there who were not taking part but were taking pictures of it could you please send them to the photo editor so that the members could also enjoy the event, sadly Sky Television did not manage it in three hours of broadcasting.

With the rain still pouring who wants to go further than the stables?  Shopping from the comfort of an armchair, now you're braying  - we have a range of donkey related gifts available through the DBS Shop or how about a year's annual membership - just go to 'join here' and you can complete the whole process on line, and your gift will extend right round to the end of January 2011.

As many of you will be aware the government are planning another iniquitous tax on equine owners, and that includes us humble donkey folk. The Donkey Breed Society did make submissions against this during the consulation stage but it is now the turn of owners to do their bit, or face an ongoing annual bill for every donkey owned, starting at an estimated £10 per head, but undoubtedly increasing over time.  You can go on line to www.rethinkthehorsetax.org/ and either sign the petitition or download a letter of objection which you can send to your local MP.

Hard to believe but here we all are another year older, and already talking about 2010 and an  AGM in Colchester.

Mrs Fooks and the Western Region members did us proud, having attracted a larger presence in the meeting room and at dinner, than we have had for a number of years.   The room was enhanced with displays from the committees and regions, and the entries in the 'Donkey LIfe' competition.

We wished Carole Travell the outgoing chairman goodbye, with a gift of a showing cane, and welcomed David Capps to the hot seat; I am sure everyone will join me in wishing him a happy and progressive  term as Chairman.
We also welcomed our new President at the AGM Donald Demus had served his three year term (just where does the time go?) and the council had kept its cards very close to its chest as to who the new holder of the office would be. Their choice was universally welcomed when the very popular Sue Ansdell was named as Donald's successor (see photo right)
Click on the photo to see more pictures from the AGM
At the end of the informal business David Cook from the Donkey Sanctuary entertained us with a lighthearted but informative talk on his role as Chief Executive and how the Donkey Sanctuary were facing up to the demands of the 21st century and the credit crunch.

The room assumed a festive scene for dinner, with tables enhanced by Poinsettia in hand made donkey embellished plant holders, eeyore balloons and jolly felt stockings containing polo mints for our best friends.  The atmosphere was convivial, the food was good; what more could one want but to be in the company of like minded donkey lovers. 

Thank you Jean it has been a wonderful weekend.