Hillside 2024 Newsletter

HillsideAnimal Sanctuary Newsletter 2024

Returning Home for Winter...

Around five years ago we went to the aid of an injured swan who had reportedly flown into power lines.We brought her back to the Sanctuary for treatment then a follow up report told us that her mate appeared to be searching for her. We went out again to retrieve the distressed male who was only too pleased to be reunited with his partner. Once the injured bird had recovered, we took them both to live on the pond at our West Runton Sanctuary, from where they were free to come and go as they wished. Last winter, we were delighted to see them return once again but this time they brought their new family of four beautiful cygnets with them.

A Way to Help the Animals...

To raise funds we are always very grateful to receive any items of scrap or broken gold or silver jewellery such as the odd earring you may have in the bottom of your drawer! We can turn old, unwanted gold into funds to help feed and care for our rescued animals. Also unwanted costume jewellery will raise much-needed cash for the animals.

Please send to:

We are so grateful to everyone who kindly donated to our ‘Pony Patio’ Appeal and are thrilled to have raised the funds to complete a paved area outside two of our recovery barns.

If anyone would like to donate we are still thankful to receive donations as there are other areas we'd like to pave for the benefit of our rescued animals.

As pigs tend to scratch their little itches with great force, we provide them with stiff brush heads as scratching posts to help avoid them damaging their shelters. Our appeal raised enough funds to provide all our 300 pigs with a new brush or a much-needed replacement.

Winter Hay Appeal

Thank you everyone who donated to our Urgent Winter Hay Appeal.The generosity and care so many people showed by contributing towards this staple feed was heart-warming. The animals’ need for hay continues to be one of our biggest expenses and we are extremely grateful to all who contributed.

THANK YOU

THANK YOU

Your donations raised enough funds to provideTWO MORE SAND PADDOCKS for our special care horses,ponies and donkeys.

These sandy areas are of great benefit, especially for those horses with laminitis whose grass intake must be restricted. They can run on a soft surface to exercise, without the temptation of being able to eat too much grass,which could make them poorly. In the winter these special areas are ideal for recovering horses who need soft ground which hasn't turned muddy underfoot and, in turn,helps keep their grass pastures in good order.They are generally a lovely area for horses to rest and play throughout the year, whatever the weather!

After one of our muchtravelled horse lorries came to the end of the road, we were absolutely delighted to take delivery of this replacement box which we hope will give our horses,ponies and donkeys years of service. So, once again, a massive thank you!

‘ShelterThem’ Appeal

Your donations provided our small animals with TWENTY extra shelters which not only house our rescued goats but also ponies, donkeys, sheep and of course pigs which they were originally designed for.

Special care horses, Neddy and Spike, were the first to try out their new sandy exercise area...

Sand Paddock Appeal

Kevin, our adoption pig, is swept off his trotters with his new brush!

Piggy Brush Appeal

A small monthly A monthly donation will help donation will donation will help donation will provide us with provide with regular funding to regular regular funding to regular ensure continuous continuous care for the animals care for the care

It is only through It is only through It is only through It is only through is your kindness that kindness that we can continue to we can continue to we can continue to we can continue to continue to rescue and rescue and rescue and rescue and and campaign for other campaign for other campaign animals in need . . . animals need . . . .

Please Consider Making a Regular Monthly Donation

Standing Order Form

Bank Name

BankAddress

Postcode

Please pay HillsideAnimal Sanctuary Ltd A/C No 70560088 Sort Code 08-90-14 The Co-operative Bank, 69 London Street, Norwich NR2 1HL and afterwards on the same day each MONTH / QUARTER / YEAR until further notice

(please delete as appropriate)

My Name

MyAddress

My Postcode £ on the day of 20

MyAccount No. Signature Sort Code -Date (please tick as appropriate)

My Sanctuary No is: This Standing Order is for: Donation

Adoption (Page 13)

Friend (Back Page)

Please send to:

Hillside Animal Sanctuary, Hall Lane, Frettenham, Norwich NR12 7LT 5

If you would like a self-catering holiday on the North Norfolk coast, surrounded by our rescued animals, our accommodation offers a very special holiday location for our supporters. In addition to Shire Horse House and Shire Horse Lodge,we also offer holidays in our comfortable Mobile Holiday Home. If this appeals to you,please phone 01603 736200 for further details including dates available and tariffs or visit www.hillside.org.uk ...

If you have moved please be sure to let us know your NEW address as well as your OLD address. Also, please let us know if any other Hillside supporters at your address have also moved. Thank you.

If you would like Hillside to receive donations in memory of a loved one, i.e., in lieu of flowers, we would be happy to set up a Memorial Page on our website

Please ring our Sanctuary office 01603 736200 for more information

Mums and Babies Rescued . . .

Above and right - Having recovered from their ordeal, the goats and pigs gave birth after arriving at Hillside

Below is their story as reported by

In 2023 we gave sanctuary to 13 goats and 7 pigs from aTrading Standards' prosecution case after pregnant animals were seized from their owner who was being charged with neglecting them. After giving birth, the 7 pigs are now 29 and the 13 goats now make 24!! As with all our rescued animals, the boys have been safely neutered to prevent the further pitter patter of tiny hooves or trotters. We were so pleased to have been able to give these animals, who had nowhere left to go, a home here at Hillside.

Swansea Council has taken possession of 13 goats and 7 pigs belonging to a political campaigner and community councillor.A district judge ordered that the animals belonging to DavidWayne Erasmus, a member of pro-Welsh independence party Gwlad, be handed over to the local authority after hearing evidence that they were suffering and were likely to continue to suffer

A hearing took place on August 4 at Swansea Magistrates' Court where district judge Chris James, having heard the evidence of Geraint Rhys Harries, Paul Jones, Michelle Morgan, Sian Davies, ChristopherWilliams, Marek Barosz, Dr Niamh Moore, and Elias Toledo Benito, and being satisfied that the 13 goats and seven pigs found at fields off Bolgoed Road, Pontarddulais, on June 29 were suffering and likely to continue to suffer, ordered that possession of the animals be given to Geraint Rhys Harries, of Swansea Council, and that the animals be sold/disposed of otherwise than by sale.The council had brought the civil action to gain possession of the goats and pigs.

Goats were found dead having suffered with flystrike (being eaten alive by maggots)

In Pastures New - A Norfolk farm which has been kindly provided for our animals through the benefits of a legacy, has now become a permanent home to sixty of our rescued horses and ponies. Most of these, like the majority of our horses came to us, unclaimed and unwanted, from stray horse pounds across the UK. A big thank you to everyone who has considered helping Hillside’s animals in the future through a bequest.

Additional Open Days

In 2023 we were also pleased to welcome visitors to Hillside Farm Animal Sanctuary at St Olaves in Norfolk.

We are hoping to have Open Days there again this year - dates to be announced - please see www.hillside.org.uk for confirmation.

If you are unable to visit, maybe you would like to scan this QR Code to see a short film taken last year at Hillside Farm Animal Sanctuary.

Ways to Help...

AQuackers StoryYou Just Couldn’t Make Up

Setting the scene

An area of land close to the Sanctuary is home to a family of 30 pigs we rescued back in 2009. They have a large natural pond they love to wade and wallow in during the warm summer months and where they share life with a handful of wild ducks who have taken refuge there.

Just up the road from here, on a neighbouring farmer’s field, is another pond which unfortunately has a very different ‘use’. Every year, it is ‘stocked’ with ducklings whose sole purpose is to provide entertainment for those who find it fun to shoot them. The frightened birds are scared off the pond, across a narrow country lane, into the range of lined-up guns ready to take pot shots as they fly over. While driving past on ‘shoot days’, I’ve often encountered the birds falling out of the sky as they’re being brutally shot illegally too close to the public lane. In a previous year I had stopped and told them I thought it pathetic that grown men should take pleasure in shooting live animals for fun, but I’m obviously too ladylike to repeat here what else I said, after

which I reported their activities to the Police I have often had to rescue the casualties of their ‘fun’ such as the ducks with feet blown off and just left to hobble around.

In 2022, we saw a new flock of ducks appear on and around the pond and in a disoriented state, they were wandering in large groups all over the road. Again, I just happened to drive past on a shoot day but this time I thought I would stop and make a compassionate plea to them to think about what they were doing. Local residents have often complained that injured and dead birds, and even gunshot, have crashed against their bedroom windows and the gunmen often trespassed over their property in pursuit of fallen prey. The shooter’s response to me was ‘We enjoy it’. So I said, if they wanted to shoot they should ‘join the army’ after which I again reported them.

Last year, the farmer’s pond was again refilled with doomed birds and I thought to myself ‘here we go again!’. However, one morning when staff went to feed and bed in

the pigs by ‘our’ pond, they reported back that an unusual amount of ducks had appeared on it and the following morning, another large flock of ducks was waiting at the gate to come in and join their friends on the water. Of course we realised where the ‘new’ ducks had come from and a few days later we received an expected phone call and, although the caller preceded the conversation with ‘they knew what the answer would be’, they asked ‘could they have their ducks back?’ Legally, if wild birds make their way onto somebody else’s land there is no obligation to hand them over! And, of course, we didn’t!

The story doesn’t finish there!

Later that summer, we were disappointed to see that once again the farmer’s pond had been filled with more young ducks and once more we dreaded the fate that awaited them. But, would you believe, all these new ducks also flew down to join ‘ours’ on the pond! Not trusting what might happen next, and with nil ducks on the farmer’s pond to kill, on planned shoot days we had somebody

guarding ‘our’ birds which were happily swimming and quacking around as the shooters drove disappointedly up and down the lane only being able to look at them. Then, on the next shoot day, they tried to fool us.They brought forward their usual 11am start to first light so when staff arrived to tend to the pigs at 7.30am they found men trying to scare the birds off the water by shaking plastic bags at them from our field verge. Unfortunately, some did fly off into the line of waiting guns but happily most made their way back safely.

The Outcome

Following all this disgusting behaviour, we talked to the landowner’s wife and we are very pleased to say they have said that they will not allow any further shoots of this kind on their property.

The upshot of this story is that we are very happy to have 250 more ducks than we had expected dibbling and dabbling their way through several bags of mixed corn. If anyone would like to donate a bag of corn for them, we would be very grateful for your help... Wendy Valentine

Rehoming Rescued Animals

In addition to over 4000 animals who live in the Sanctuary, we have lots more enjoying life in loving ‘adoptive’ homes...

Poor Ivy on Arrival....

We took in Ivy, earlier in the year, after she was found abandoned in woods in an emaciated state. She was covered in lacerations and scarring and had obvious signs of having been used for breeding. The pictures tell the story of how she had been treated in her life.

Here’s Gentle Ivy Now...

She has recovered well and is now looking forward to finding a loving family home as many other dogs before her have done through Hillside Dog Rescue.

Ivy recovering in the safety of Hillside

Gifts and Cards

Children’s Farm Animal Learning Puzzle

Colourful Wooden Puzzle with 7 chunky pieces and a 9" x 6" tray/border background. For Ages 24 Months up

40 sheets A5 Notepaper, Notepad, Pen and 10 envelopes In assorted animal designs HillsideWriting/ Notepad Set £1.50

‘Animal Friends’ Placemats

Set 4 placemats (12" x 9") Cork backed. Heat resistant

Matching

‘Animal Friends’Coasters Set of 4 (4" square)

‘Animal Friends’ Cushion with inner cushions and removable, washable zip covers (17" square)

The Only..... Animal Cards

Reprinted by popular request...

'The Only LambYou Should Have in the Fridge' 'The Only ChickenYou Should Have in a Basket' With New Card... 'The Only Pig You Should Have in a Blanket' Pack of 6 Cards in 3 designs 5.5" square with envelopes

Products...

This nature power healing body lotion is an amazing natural alternative to help soothe and relieve aches and pains, even on long-aching joints and muscles. If used regularly it can help improve circulation and reduce pain... (150ml) £10.95

Equilibrium Luxury Shower Gel, Foam Bath & Shampoo

A special blend of essential oils to help balance female energies and restore internal harmony. Formulated for all over body use but a few drops can also be added to the bath to create a beneficial bath oil... (250 ml) £10.95

Age-Away Luxury Cream

Contains a unique natural secret blend of powerful anti-oxident pomegranate, skin enhancing Ginseng, healing Frankinsense and Neroli to encourage new cell growth and reduce blemishes. This really works and has a gorgeous fragrance (50g) £22 95

Hillside Preserves and Chutneys Gift Pack Selection

These delicious preserves are popular with our visitors at Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary Gift Shop and we can now offer them to you by post... Breakfast Selection: Bramble, Marmalade and Strawberry (114g each jar)

Pickles & Chutneys: Potting Shed Pickle, Gardeners’ Choice Chutney and Caramelised Onion Chutney (100g each jar)

Choose: Breakfast or Pickles & Chutneys Selection (3 Jars)

Hillside Logo Pen with Black ink (shown above)

Hillside Fridge Magnet £1

Adopt one or more to receive a certificate and twice yearly photograph of each animal. Your contribution will help to feed and care for our rescued animals. We ask for a minimum donation of £15 for each adoption. (Please allow 14 days for delivery).

SoulTrain ex-Racehorse

Katy the Pony

Dancer and Prancer

Tessa Turkey

Beauty the Sheep

Doris Duck

Rosemary Rabbit

Murphy Mule

Henrietta ex-battery Hen

Sidney, Scarlett and Highland Herd

Esme, Lilly and Goat Herd Friends

Kevin Kunekune

Punch and Titan Stanley with Llama Friends

Barbara Pig and Family

Merlin Shire Horse

Remembering John...

In April, lots of Hillside staff and volunteers, past and present, attended the funeral of John Fisher who sadly died aged 87. Unless you have been closely involved with the farm at Frettenham, you will probably have never heard of John as he never wanted any recognition.

John was actually the main person behind the scenes and shared my vision to found Hillside Animal Sanctuary at Hilltop Farm in 1995 to help all animals, particularly often forgotten farm animals. Without John, Hillside wouldn’t have been able to help as many animals as we have.

John gave up the use of his farmland to provide many many rescued animals a safe home and worked tirelessly to help look after them. Even the week before he died, he was out on his tractor, harrowing the ponies’ fields. Although previously, he had mainly been an arable farmer, he also farmed pigs and cows as his father had done before him.

more over the years. I have lovely memories of when I first met John in 1981, one being my delight when we went to nearby marshes where I saw the Water Deer living in the reed beds there. In more recent years, it always intrigued him to know that I now have over 40 rescued deer living at home with me and often even indoors while they are recuperating. Wendy

John was always out and about helping in all weathers

Even though he had been brought up to believe this was an acceptable way of life, he often told me that even as a small boy, he never felt right about seeing the animals being loaded up and sent off to slaughter. It wasn’t too many years after I got to know him that he actually became vegan.

Although I was brought up in the countryside, John taught me so much

John with rescued Shires. He always remembered the heavy horses working the land at Hilltop Farm in the forties and fifties, long before machinery took over.

John in 2013,seeing in a new herd of rescued cows,when we only had 300. Today we have around 750 cows!

You may be interested to know that an unspoilt natural area of grazing land that our supporters helped us to purchase in 2019 for our rescued horses and cows, is also home to a large herd of Fallow deer who have found sanctuary there away from the dangers of the roads and the risk of being shot.

When I founded Hillside in 1995, lots of people pledged their support by joining as Friends of Hillside. Friends of Hillside. Many have continued to follow our journey from the early days until now. To become a Hillside Friend, we ask a minimum of £10 for Annual Friendship or £100 for Life Friendship. You may also request a Friendship plaque.

Who Lives at Hillside?