On this Remembrance Sunday we remember the human casualties of war,  especially poignant with today's news of soldiers dying in Afghanistan, however we should never lose sight of equine casualties especially the donkeys and mules who carried munitions to the front line between the 28th July 1914 and the 11th November 1918: they were not given  the choice to say no.   
Whilst no exact figures are available for donkey and mule casualties it is possible that over 8,000,000 horses died on all sides during that period.  A monument in tribute to them stands at Brook gate, Park Lane, Hyde Park in London  http://www.animalsinwar.org.uk/  If you would like to read more go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Simpson_Kirkpatrick

Brian Spicer who bred donkeys under the Orchardhill prefix, and a familar face at shows in Lincolnshire and East Anglia, and our own Supreme Show, sadly died on Friday 30th October following a short but devastating illness.  Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to his wife. 

The strike of ancilliary post office  workers between Thursday 29th and Saturday 31st October will affect passport mailings during the forthcoming week as follows:

As of today's date all applications, with the exception of three where the owners have been advised of queries have been processed and mailed out.  Any received with the last delivery on Friday 30th will be processed but not mailed out until Tuesday 3rd November.

Anyone in urgent need is asked to contact the passport administrator as it is understood that any suggestion that Special Delivery mail will be delivered as normal, will no longer be honoured.  However please be aware that if you wish to move or sell a donkey it is your resposibility to acquire a passport in good time, and you should allow at least 14 days.

Have you considered attending the Society Annual General Meeting on Saturday 14th November?
It is far more than just a 'boring old meeting'  - plenty of time to socialise, meet up with old friends, look at board displays from the committees and regions, a chance to indulge in some retail therapy at the DBS shop, even stay on for dinner, but we do need to know you are intending to come, so scroll to the events calendar or click on the AGM item on the right hand side events option, for more information.

New Passports are issued strictly in the order in which the applications arrive.

The majority are processed and returned to the applicant within 5 days, however there are occasions when this is not practical so if you have acquired a new donkey and wish to take it out to an event please allow at least 14 days for your passport to be issued.

Passport documents are returned to the owner using standard second class mail. If you wish to speed that element of the process up then please attach a prepaid recorded delivery or special delivery envelope - one or two passports are charged at Large Letter under 250gm, 3 passports at Large Letter up to 500gm and 4 and over are charged at the 'Packet' rate.

Transfers of ownership are normally processed on the day of arrival and returned the following day.