We are immensely grateful to everyone who has so kindly supported Hillside during the last year, either by contributing to our appeals, purchasing from the gift shop, donating goods or fundraising for the Sanctuary. The recent purchase of additional land and stables was entirely attributable to the generosity of our supporters. If the animals could say ‘thank you’ they would, so please accept our appreciation on their behalf. We simply couldn’t do what we do for them without you.
Rising Costs . . .
As you can probably imagine, with over 4000 mouths to feed, hay is one of our biggest expenses and after such a dry summer, we are anticipating a substantial increase in hay prices which will draw on our winter funds more than usual. Your continued support to meet this vital need is appreciated so much and any contributions, large or small, will help to ensure the animals in our care continue to receive this staple feed. Page 10
Patron: Martin Shaw
If you'd like to spend a holiday surrounded by our rescued animals, we have some very special self-catering accommodation available to our supporters. Located on the North Norfolk coast, you can choose between Shire Horse House, Shire Horse Lodge and our very comfortable Mobile Holiday Home. Please phone 01603 736200 or visit ww.hillside.org.uk for details.
If you have moved home, 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 either address have also moved. Thank you
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The Co-operative Bank, 14 Gentleman’sWalk, Norwich NR2 1NA and afterwards on the same day each MONTH / QUARTER / YEAR until further notice
My Name
MyAddress
Postcode (please delete as appropriate)
My Postcode £ on the day of 20 My Sanctuary No is:
Order is
(please tick as appropriate) Please send to:
(Page 7)
Animal Sanctuary, Hall Lane, Frettenham, Norwich NR12 7LT
If you would like Hillside to receive donations in memory of a loved one, e.g., 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
Our New Farm...
In pastures new are ex-Police horses Whitehall, Luxembourg, Zola, Poppy,Tiltrow and Inverness.
The response to our Stable and Land Appeal has been amazing and we were also able to negotiate an extra three acres in addition to the stables and 33 acres already agreed. We are SO, SO grateful to everyone who has so kindly donated to help us acquire these wonderful, additional facilities for our rescued animals. We are delighted to be able to show you our first pictures of rescued horses enjoying their new pastures at Old Buckenham in Norfolk. Thank you all again for making this possible for them.
Because the Police do not have a budget to keep their horses into retirement, some forces do their best to find homes for them. At Hillside we presently have eight in retirement who, although cannot be ridden, can still enjoy a good quality of life.
The new stable yard comprises 20 well-equipped loose boxes with 36 acres of grassland in eight spacious, well-fenced paddocks.
The Birmingham Bull
Now safe at Hillside
After liaising with the Police, we drove through the night to go to the aid of Liam the bull. We brought him back to the Sanctuary after he was found roaming the streets of Birmingham following his desperate escape from what was believed to be a back street abattoir...
Here’s Liam with his new-found friend Piglet (another Dexter cow) who, would you believe,was also found running loose in Birmingham two years ago!
A kind lady took Piglet in to live with her horse but, when she sadly lost her land, Piglet came to us. This was just two weeks after Liam arrived.
Once they have passed theirTB tests, they will go together to live out their lives with some of our other rescued cattle.
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:
Thank you.
Hillside Animal Sanctuary, Hall Lane, Frettenham, Norwich NR12 7LT
A COURT CASE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUT NEVER WAS!
In 2013...
... concerned members of the public contacted Hillside Animal Sanctuary to report that a man called David Grant was keeping animals in appalling conditions. Hillside's investigators drove the 200 miles to visit Grant's smallholding in Derbyshire and filmed ponies and donkeys in severe states of neglect. We then reported our findings to the authorities, but, unbelievably, Mr Grant (who already had an expired ban from keeping livestock) only received an improvement notice.
On a return visit, we found one donkey who, instead of receiving any kind of hoof care, had simply had her hooves hacked off. Her foal lay dead beside her.
On later returning to David Grant's smallholding, we found a dead pony with his emaciated companion standing over him. Once again, we contacted the RSPCA, but this only resulted in two ponies being removed and signed over to the Society. Astonishingly, and despite the previous improvement notice that resulted from our earlier investigation, the vet representing the RSPCA would not support a cruelty case and David Grant was free to continue his neglect.
In 2018...
... we again received reports that Grant was keeping animals in terrible conditions. We revisited his Derbyshire smallholding and filmed terribly neglected sheep, many of whom were lame. Some had broken legs. This time we reported our findings to the Derbyshire Rural Crime Police who, together with Derbyshire Trading Standards, brought charges against David Grant.
We were relieved to find out that, on 13th July 2018, David Grant was successfully convicted and banned, this time for LIFE, from keeping animals. He also received a suspended prison sentence. Our investigation team received a letter of commendation for their work in bringing David Grant to justice.
In 2024...
... we again had reason to visit Grant's smallholding. We had received reports that, despite the lifetime ban rightly imposed upon him, he had a large herd of goats in his 'care'!!
We were able to gain several days’ worth of footage to corroborate these reports, and we immediately handed the evidence over to Derbyshire Rural Crime Police. They sprang into action and David Grant was arrested for breaching his lifetime ban.
In 2025...
... when it came to court on 18th March, our investigator (who was ready and waiting in the court room to give his evidence) was told that the Crown Prosecution Service had decided to drop the case as it was not in the public's interest.
David Grant walked free and still remains at large to continue his reign of abuse.
The attending vet took the decision that four of the sheep needed to be put to sleep to end their suffering. Many more were in need of veterinary treatment.
Emaciated, and dead, ponies
A baby donkey had died
Overgrown and then hacked off hooves
David Grant with goats he had been banned from keeping. (From video)
The Guinea Pigs having their afternoon tea - peppers and oranges for vitamin C (like humans, Guinea Pigs can’t make their own vitamin C so need to supplement it) plus lots of healthy greens.
All Creatures
Great and Small at
HillsideShireHorseSanctuary
Bobbie’s
and
came to us recently when their caring owner was no longer able to look after them
Little and large - our smallest goat Daisy and our tallest Gizmo.
Jack, Pedro and Sooty, our elderly, special-care donkey boys. Sadly, we have since lost dear Pedro.
Pikachu loving the windfall apples donated by our supporters.
Rusty and Archie - old boys now but still doing very well.
The sheep in for shearing at the beginning of June
Girl
her daughter, Slate -
A very important swan meeting on the pond!
The pictures above were taken by Ellie, one of our caring staff who has worked at the Shire Horse Sanctuary since 2008.
This is Ellie with Suffolk Punch, Ginny and Jim the Clydesdale.
The Boer goats ‘helping’ with muck clearing!
If you visited our animals at Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary in West Runton this year, you may have sat on one of our special chairs. Talented supporter, Roberta Howling, kindly painted every seat in our cafe, each with a different animal.
You still have time to visit as we are open at West Runton 10am-5pm EVERY DAY (except Saturdays) until 31st Oct.
One easy way of raising funds for our animals, is to collect loose change in a Hillside money box which we have enclosed in our NEW design. With so many mouths to feed, every penny REALLY helps...
If you already save your odd coins, may we ask you to consider emptying your cardboard box and kindly sending us your donation, however small, by cheque, postal order or via the QR code on the base of our new box. This will help our rescued animals, who are now coming in from their summer grazing for the winter and ready to munch their way through lots of food and hay. Thank you.
'Adop
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) Christmas Birthday Other (Please tick appropriate box)
I would like to ‘Adopt’__________________________ For myself / as a gift
If adoption is a gift for somebody else, we will send to YOU to give to your recipient for: (Please delete as applicable)
Date you require adoption to arrive by________________
If you are a new supporter please write ‘NEW’ in boxes My 'Sanctuary Number' is Your Details... (the person giving the adoption to fill in their details here)...
(Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms)
I enclose £ ______ (minimum £15) for the adoption
You may visit your adopted animals at Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary West Runton near Cromer 10am-5pm EVERY DAY (except Saturdays) Easter until end of October Please see our website www.hillside.org.uk for Open Day information
OR I prefer to pay by STANDING ORDER and enclose the SO form on page 2...
Soul Train ex-Racehorse
Katy the Pony
Dancer and Prancer
Tessa Turkey
Beauty the Sheep
Rosemary Rabbit
Murphy Mule
Henrietta ex-battery Hen
Sidney, Scarlett and Highland Herd
Esme, Lily and Goat Herd Friends
Kevin Kunekune
Stanley and Llama Friends
Barbara Pig and Family
Doris Duck
Punch and Titan
Merlin Shire Horse
A Lifetime
Here’s Coco, rescued in on a country road at just because he needed regular garden where he became
Sharing and sharing alike
“You had better not come in here Coco!”
Coco this summer with his friend, Handsome
etime of Care
in 2013 after being abandoned all alone just a week old. We brought him back and, egular bottle-feeding, he lived close by in the inseparable friends with Brian the deer.
Brian is still living with us and is now 15 years old
First time out with friends of his own kind!
Ways to Help...
Molly’s Story...
In May, we gave sanctuary to Molly, her Mum and two other ponies after they had been dreadfully neglected and ended up in a stray horse pound. Molly was so poorly, that she spent three days on a drip to rehydrate her. She also received a blood transfusion. As you can see, she continues to recover well.
Poor Molly on arrival
Please Spare a Pound for a Pound Pony
You may donate via this QR CODE with your phone
Please enter Hillside’s Competition
Closing date: 30th January 2026
When this picture of some of our rescued llamasWhen this picture of some of our rescued llamas
When this picture of some of our rescued llamasWhen this picture of some of our rescued llamas picture of some rescued llamas with wild duckswith wild ducks with wild duckswith wild ducks with wild ducks was taken was taken was taken was taken was taken, there was an extra duck, there was an extra duck , there was an extra duck, there was an extra duck , there was an duck in the picturein the picture in the picturein the picture picture.. Use your skill to judge where theUse your skill to judge where the Use your skill to judge where theUse your skill to judge where the your skill judge where the ‘missing’ duck may be and mark with a cross‘missing’ duck may be and mark with a cross ‘missing’ duck may be and mark with a cross‘missing’ duck may be and mark with a cross ‘missing’ duck may and mark with cross.... ThereThere ThereThere There is no limit to the amount of crosses you may enteris no to amount of crosses you enter no to amount of enter on this form.on this form. on this form.on this form. on this form. The crosses nearest to the end of the The crosses nearest to the of the The crosses nearest to the end of the The crosses nearest to the of the end the missing duck’s tail will be eligible for the prizes.missing duck’s tail will be eligible the prizes. missing duck’s tail will be eligible for the prizes.missing duck’s tail will be eligible the prizes. tail will eligible for the prizes.
‘Spott‘Spott ‘Spot thh hh heDuceDuc eDuceDuc e Duck’k’ k’k’ k’ or £500 cash or £500 cash
The proceeds from this competition will help provide funds to feed and care for our rescued animals. 5
1st Prize: 7 Day Holiday for Two at Hillside by the sea 1st Prize: 7 Day Holiday for Two at Hillside by the sea
nd Prize: £250
runner-up prizes of £50 Hillside Gift Vouchers
Please cut out along dotted line and return (by Friday 30th January 2026) to: Hillside Animal Sanctuary, HillTop Farm, Hall Lane, Frettenham, Norwich NR12 7LT
¤ A donation of £1 is requested for each cross placed.
¤ Unlimited crosses per entry allowed.
¤ Multiple entries per person/household are allowed.
¤ The closing date for this competition is Friday 30th January 2026
¤ Winners will be notified by post after the closing date
¤ To save costs, receipts will not be issued for competition entries unless specifically requested and accompanied by a SAE.
¤ This competition is not open to Hillside employees, their families or associates.
¤ Damaged, defaced, illegible or incomplete entries cannot be entered.
¤ No responsibility can be accepted for any entries lost, delayed or damaged in the post.
¤ Proof of posting is not proof of delivery.
¤ Entries received after the closing date will be treated as a kind donation to HillsideAnimal Sanctuary.
¤ Hillside’s decision in the outcome of this competition is final.
¤ It is a condition of entry that all competitors agree to abide by the terms and conditions.
2026 Calendars... 2026 Calendars...
Hillside ‘Grass Nuts’ Appeal
Please donate a ‘Sack of Grass Nuts’ to help feed our rescued animals this winter! Or, you may donate a sack in lieu of a present to your friends or family. You will receive a Greetings Card,‘Sack of Nuts’ Certificate and Hillside mini Calendar to give to your recipient. (You may request on order form on back page)
Feeding all the animals in Winter...
During the summer, our animals enjoy grazing out in the fields but, when the cold weather arrives, they rely on us to provide them with good quality hay. This is supplemented with grass nuts soaked together with cereal mix, herbs, vitamins, minerals, seaweed and cider vinegar We call this ‘The Hillside Recipe’
Over the winter, our horses, cows, sheep, goats, deer and even the pigs munch their way through mountains of grass nuts which are regularly delivered in 30 tonne loads costing £300 per tonne. On average, a 20kg sack of grassnuts costs £10 but because we buy in bulk, we make a massive saving, paying just £6 a sack for the equivalent.
Hillside 2026 Pocket Diary in Navy, Black or Maroon (not illustrated)
Hillside 2026
Diary in Navy, Black or Maroon (A5) Hillside
‘Moggie Mischief’ Festive Cards Pack of 10 in 2 designs shown (5"x5")
(All calendar pictures taken by Hillside staff and volunteers)
Hillside Gifts and... Hillside Gifts and...
‘Christmas Robin’ Placemats
Set of 4 placemats (12" x 9") Cork backed. Heat resistant
£10.95
Matching
Pom Pom Keyrings
Choose: Highland Cow, Black-face Sheep, Brown-face Sheep, Dog or Cat Donkey Breakfast Mug £9.95
‘Christmas Robin’ Coasters
Set of 4 (4" square)
£3.95
Matching
‘Christmas Robin’ Napkins Pack of 20 (13" square)
£3.95
Hillside Logo Shopping Bag Handy large fold-away bag £3.95
‘Giraffe’ Cushion with removable inners and washable zip covers (17" square)
Hillside Preserves and Chutney (3 Jar) Gift Pack Selection £17.95
These are delicious and are very popular with our Hillside Shire Horse Sanctuary visitors. Choose either Breakfast Selection (Bramble, Marmalade and Strawberry 114g each jar) or Pickles & Chutney Selection (Potting Shed Pickle, Gardeners’ Choice Chutney and Caramelised Onion Chutney 100g each jar)
£10.95
Highland Cow Plaque ‘Poppy and Wildflower’ Greetings Cards 6 cards in 6 designs (8"x6") with envelopes
‘ColourYour Own’ Greetings Cards 4 cards in 4 designs (8"x6") with envelopes
(Message inside ALL cards reads ‘Christmas Wishes’)
‘Furry Friends’ Christmas Cards
of 10 in 2 designs shown (5"x5")
Hillside Christmas Gift Wrap
Cartoon Christmas Cards
different amusing cards (8"x6")
‘Starry Night’ Christmas Cards
(5"x5")
‘Winter
‘Moonlit
‘Woodland Friends’
Back in 1995, when I founded the Sanctuary, lots of people pledged their support by becoming Friends of HillsideFriendsHillside Friends of HillsideFriendsHillside of Hillside. Many continue to follow our journey today. If you'd like to become a very valued HillsideHillside HillsideHillside Friend,Friend, Friend, we ask a minimum of £10 Annually, or £100 for Life. You may also request the Friendship Plaque above.
