Autumn Newsletter 2009 - Redwings

8 SILVER JUBILEE - 25 YEARS OIn celebration of our Silver Jubilee this year, we asked you to send in yourmemories of Redwings over the years, and we were overwhelmed by theresponse, thank you! Here are just a few of our favourites...I adopted Ben for my grandson Toby when he wasabout three years old. He was about five in the photo- he is now 17 and we hope we can manage anothervisit soon.smRachael, my granddaughter, firstchose Polly as her adopted horseand the photo is of our visit in2002 when she was six years old.We have lots of memorabilia ofall the ponies we have adoptedand wish them long and happylives at Redwings. You do suchwonderful work.Mrs M.F. JonesI adopted Tufty in 1991 and we have got old together.I’m sending you some of my first letters and books that Ihave from you. I’m also sending some money so you cantreat the boys.Mrs SeymourOf all the horses you have had overthe years I have been a member ofRedwings, my favourite of them allwas my friend Willow. He was aspecial horse to me and a lot more people too. I loved himso much and I will never forget him. He was a star.Mr D. CottonLast Summer when our granddaughterRhianne went to visit Rusty, she calledhim and he walked over and shemanaged to get a cuddle too, we weresurprised as he normally walks away!As always we had a lovely day and Imanaged to cuddle Denise also, myadoption donkey.Love Linda from NorfolkPicture of Albert with Dribblesfrom Brian Maidman andBeryl WhitehouseI remember walking from Norwich to Redwings when youwere north of Norwich on a fine Sunday in 1997, seeinghandsome Albert (my daughter’s adoption horse), a field ofdonkeys with their hooves so beautifully trimmed, lookingfor all the world like ballerinas on their points, and alovely lunch at the nearby pub which was so welcome.In June 2003, we were at Caldecott Hall on a showery daywatching Sydney having a “stand-off” with a neighbour inthe next paddock, Denise the donkey longing to be friendswith everyone and the group of Shires standing so serenelyby their field gate, full of dignity and repose.We visited Stonham on a day of blazing sun. It wasthe week following half-term and even Finnegan simplywanted to mind his own business. All except a tinyShetland, who was touching in her determination tohold our attention, obviously enjoying the stroking andthe patting.And at Oxhill under our brollies we walked between thepaddocks trying to locate Dylan who wanted to stay awayfrom the rain. But we didn’t mind at all. What would hisfate had been if Redwings had not stepped in to offer him asafe haven?Indeed each centre we visited always gave an overallimpression of great care for the occupants and broughthome to us just how much wonderful but unremitting workRedwings undertakes to promote the welfare of all equines,particularly the neglected and unwanted.An opportunity to visit the Ada Cole Rescue Centre andHapton on an Open Weekend are now my goals for thefuture which I’m sure we’ll undertake before too long!Bless you all who toil so hard day in and day out. I’m sureyour names are written in gold somewhere.M. Wiltshire