Sunday 14 December 2014

Candle light and donkeys

The Candle light evening at the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth was on Friday evening. Lots of candles lighting the pathways and displays around the grounds leading the way to the Main Barn and the Carol Service.  So many people go to this event each year and I am one of the very lucky ones to see it and join in with the festivities.

In case some of you aren't aware,
The Donkey Sanctuary has it's main offices and farm in Sidmouth, Devon.


Although it was at night I got these photos of some of the displays plus....

(this was taken indoors in the Assisted Therapy Centre)

and around the grounds...


 this next photos was taken at a distance across a field where
the donkey emblem is outlined with candles...


This light display attracted a crowd of people taking pictures of it...


So pleased I went to this Carol Service this year and got to meet friends
plus enjoy the Service.






25 comments:

Mary said...

I follow the Donkey Sanctuary on facebook! I want to visit in person one day. But first, I must overcome my terrible anxiety about flying. These photos are beautiful, Ann. All the lights warm my heart!

robin cox walsh said...

That's a lot of candles! Looks lovely.

Christine said...

This puts me in the Christmas spirit! Thanks for sharing!

Eileen H said...

The lights are lovely. It must be wonderful to actually be there at the Carol service.
Thank goodness there are good people in the world to care for the donkeys.

PaintingWrite said...

What a lovely idea to help raise awareness of the sanctuary and celebrate Christmas. The candles look lovely. I do love donkeys-they always seem to have such a hard time around the world carrying loads far too big for them. Thanks for sharing your photos.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Glad you follow them on facebook Mary, it's a great way to keep in touch with what they are doing. The care the donkeys get is amazing. I hope you do visit one day, let me know if you do and I'll meet you there.

ann @ studiohyde said...

There were hundreds of candles Robin, it must have taken them hours to light them all!

ann @ studiohyde said...

It did for me too Christine, really pleased I went to it :-)

ann @ studiohyde said...

They care they get is wonderful Eileen, so nice to see how well they are looked after.

ann @ studiohyde said...

I agree, it is and does raise awareness. The Sanctuary's thank you to people who help them and a time to share the Christmas spirit. Some donkeys do suffer around the world, so sad, but they get help in all corners of the world now thanks to the Sanctuary :-)

Shammickite said...

There's a donkey sanctuary somewhere in S Ontario too, but I've never been there, I think it's quite a long way away. One day I'll go and visit the Canadian donkeys.

Shammickite said...

Just did a little bit of google research and I find that the Ontario Donkey Sanctuary is near Guelph, Ontario, not far away, and they are open Wednesdays and Sundays from May to October, so I'll mark the calendar and take the grandies to meet some donkeys next year!

ann @ studiohyde said...

That will be great if you can visit them and I can guarantee the grands will Love It! :-)

ann @ studiohyde said...

Yes it was :-)

Jane said...

Spectacular ! Really puts you in the right spirit for Christmas !

ann @ studiohyde said...

It certainly did, I felt Christmas had begun there :-)

Judy said...

Wow, really beautiful displays of light, Ann! Very Christmassy! :)

Mrs A. said...

My daughter lived in Sidmouth for over 10yrs but never mentioned the sanctuary for us to visit. We still go down there to stay occasionally so will mark it in our calendar for next time. I bet it loved lovely with all the lights too. hugs Mrs A.

Down by the sea said...

I wish we had been able to stay! I hope you don't mind if I add a link over to this wonderful post. Sarah x

ann @ studiohyde said...

Of course add a link Sarah, it's so nice that you want to do that :-)

ann @ studiohyde said...

It's well worth visiting, free entry and makes for a great day. If you could make it to the Candlelight next year that would not disappoint, I guarantee it. (unless of course the weather did a blip, which one year didn't help the candle lighting...but against all odds, the staff got most of them going...it still looked great) :-)

ann @ studiohyde said...

It was beautiful, there were more candles than I showed in this post, but I hope it gives everyone the idea of what it was like :-)

Shammickite said...

Have a quick look at my blog about the Farm Equipment Parade, there's a video there that you will like, just plug your ears!!!

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi...I've just taken a look at your blog...What a brilliant idea with all those tractors, it looked great. I liked the one that twirled :-) Now I've got visions of CM doing this, lol ;)

Joan Tavolott said...

The lights and decorations are just so festive! Thanks for sharing a bit of your night with us!