National Animal Welfare Trust Great Shefford celebrates 50 years with fun dog show and car boot sale on Sunday

The animal charity at Trindledown Farm running the fundraiser to recoup some of the financial losses suffered during the pandemic.

Trindledown Farm in Great Shefford celebrates 50 years of the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) with a car boot sale and dog show this Sunday, September 26.

The charity, which is well supported by Lambourn Valley residents, has suffered considerably from a lack of visitor donations during the coronavirus pandemic.

Since closing more than 17 months ago the centre has lost, on average, £250 a day in cancelled fundraising activities.

But in a bid to find new ways to raise the funds needed to support its work in rescuing and rehoming domestic and field animals in need, they have created a new local produce market.

They are also stocking artisan breads from Prior’s Court School’s Bread and Beyond; a project developed to teach the autistic students at Prior’s Court School in Hermitage work-based skills.

And, to mark the anniversary and the long-awaited reopening of Trindledown Farm, staff are hosting a series of public events.

The first will be a car boot sale and fun dog show at their farm.

Meanwhile the café, serving freshly cooked breakfasts, lunches, cakes and drinks, has reopened.

In addition to exploring an active rescue centre, visitors can meet and feed the friendly alpacas and sheep, give the cats and dog a treat, shop from the onsite gift and pet food and supplies shops – and watch Barry the pig go about his day with an ice cream.

The car boot sale and dog show, which are the centre’s first in person events post-Covid are taking place on Sunday and begin at 9.30am.

The first categories in the dog show take place at 11.15am.

Trindledown Farm will also be selling its own stock from the charity shop and hosting local produce market.

All are welcome to both, with sellers having no need to book a space.

Pitch fees for a car and van are £10 and £12 respectively.

The dog show has categories such as coolest crossbreed, golden oldie, happiest hound and best trick – and staff are inviting all who think their dog has what it takes to win to take part.

Entry is £2 per dog per class.

The reopening of the farm and café; onsite shops and the beginning of in person events all help to raise the funds needed to care for the domestic and field animals at NAWT Berkshire.

Chief executive Rob Mitchell said: “NAWT has helped thousands of stray and homeless domestic pets in need of a new home for the past five decades. "What unites us all – from our dedicated teams of staff and volunteers to the people looking to rehome a pet and our generous supporters – is our combined desire to transform the lives of animals in a positive way.

"Thank you for being there to support us and please join us in our celebrations.”

Trindledown Farm staff invite all to take part in the car boot sale and dog show, visit the farm and café and help to raise the vital funds needed to rescue and rehome hundreds of domestic and field animals every year.