FAMILIES gathered in Cantley Park, Wokingham, on Saturday to enjoy a fundraising event organised by SAFE, a group that works to Save Abandoned Fly-Grazing Equines.
Visitors to the Fun Day were able to enjoy a wide range of stalls selling a variety of items including jewellery, hand crafted products, gifts, skin care and clothing.
There was plenty to entertain children, too, with part of the park given over to bouncy castles, tea-cup rides, and inflatables.
Traditional funfair activities included face painting, tombola, hook a duck, hoopla and coconut shy.
Young visitors were able to step inside a pop-up paddock where two of SAFE’s rescued ponies were relaxing, and both ponies appeared to enjoy being groomed by children and their families.
Another main attraction at the Family Fun Day was dogs, with many families bringing their four-legged friends for a day out, or to enter them in SAFE’s Dog Show.
Emma and Jill brought their dogs along just for fun, and were impressed by how well canine visitors to the event were behaving.
“We’re really enjoying the range of stalls today,” said Emma.
“And there are lots of lovely dogs, all getting on really well.”
“It’s our first visit to a SAFE Fun Day,” added Jill.
“We went to the Hurst Show, and really enjoyed that.
“It inspired to come along to this event, too.”
Canine classes in the dog show included Loveliest Lady, Fabulous Fella, Waggiest Tail, Best Puppy, Best Senior, Best Rescue, and Best In Show.
This year’s Best Puppy winner was seven month old toy poodle Chewy Truffle, who won the Judges’ Special Prize, presumably because she is a very cute bundle of chocolate coloured fluff.
She was pictured with her proud family.
Owls and snakes were also at the event, with visitors able to handle birds of prey, and reptiles, including tortoises and some large snakes.
Jen enjoyed an opportunity to hold a regal looking owl at Chrissie’s Owl Charity.
Others made their way to Berkshire Reptile Encounters to get close to tortoises, bearded dragons, and large snakes.
Meanwhile, classic car enthusiasts were able to admire a selection of polished and brightly coloured vehicles parked in the centre of the field.
SAFE is run by a small group of volunteers that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses that have been left to graze on land without the permission of the landowner.
Known as flygrazing, this practice is considered abandonment, as horses are sometimes left to fend for themselves without adequate food, water or shelter.
The charity is looking for animal-loving volunteers to join them.
They particularly seek over 18s with their own transport, ideally who can commit to at least one morning or afternoon a week.
They are also grateful for donations to help pay for the upkeep of the horses in their care.
For information, and to volunteer, people can visit: safe-horses.co.uk, berkshirereptileencounters.co.uk and chrissiesowls.com
