Hello Anna here!
I wanted to tell you about a brilliant new initiative. You may remember in the past I have worn a purple poppy to support the War Horse Memorial appeal.
Well this year, the War Horse Memorial have teamed up with animal and service organisations in six countries around the World who have come together to seek long overdue recognition for the part that animals have played in countless wars and conflict.
The inaugural International War Animal Day is to be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
All across the World, flags will be flown, knitted poppy wreaths laid and purple candles lit at 11am local time to remember the sacrifice of tens of millions of animals who served – and continue to serve – alongside soldiers, to give us the freedom we all enjoy today.
The Shire Horse has a long history in war, originally used as a war horse carrying knights in armour. Later it became a war horse in the 1st & 2nd world wars pulling heavy artillery in appalling conditions.
We are pleased to have been supporting the War Horse Memorial since just after it was launched in 2018.
We have a display at Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre in commemoration of the International War Animal Day and we are selling purple knitted poppies, together with purple enamel badges.
If you are not able to call in, you can donate through the War Horse Memorial website https://www.thewarhorsememorial.org/
That’s all from me for now. I’ll be back in next month for some more news including foal watch and the National Shire Horse Show.
Anna x x
