Hello and welcome to the Chalford Donkey Project.
We are a group of residents of Chalford in Gloucestershire who have initiated a donkey delivery service to help people transport their shopping and other goods to their doorsteps.
How did this idea get started?
This project came about because Chalford is a beautiful and unique village in the Cotswolds with houses perched high on a steep valley side. Because of the difficulty in accessing these houses, donkeys were used in the village as late as the 1930's to make deliveries, carrying bread, coal and many other household items to people's doorsteps. So the idea to bring back the donkey seemed natural. Why not get donkeys to carry things for the residents of Chalford village in 2008? What a wonderful way to get people to come together enjoying the company of these lovely animals. Donkey deliveries will also help to reduce cars in the village and are a really eco-friendly form of transport.
How does it work?
The donkey will live at a smallholding on the outskirts of the village and will be looked after by the project co-ordinator. It will be taken into the village to make deliveries at set times during the week when people can book out the service. A core group of trained donkey handlers will also be on hand to help so that the job of taking the donkey out can be shared. The Chalford Community Stores will play a key role within this project. Many of the deliveries will originate from this shop which is a real hub of the community. It is a really special shop run mainly by volunteers and selling a lot of unusual and organic produce. It is from the community spirit of the shop that the Chalford Donkey Project will grow.
What about the welfare of the donkey?
Donkeys really enjoy working and being around people. The Chalford Donkey will be well cared for and will only carry weights within it's capabilities. Both the Donkey Breeds Society and various donkey sanctuaries have come out in support of the Chalford Donkey Project.
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Sunday, 12 April 2009
Saturday, 4 April 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
