Charity

from Plym Links December/January 2021

Gardening

A Christmas tradition started by accident has raised thousands for animal charity Woodside

Abeloved Christmas tradition that started with the hanging of a shabby piece of golden plastic is now a fi rm favourite with people around the country and has raised thousands of pounds for unwanted pets. Woodside Animal Welfare Trust, based in the countryside south of Dartmoor, just north of Plympton, has been running for more than 40years. Founded by animal lover Carole Bowles MBE, it has grown from a shanty town of animal enclosures to the purpose built centre that exists today. It was 31 years ago while the centre was a ‘shanty town’ that a volunteer hung a piece of gold plastic on a Christmas tree in a freezing Elfordleigh paddock. The plastic garland was salvaged from a skip in Plymouth and an idea was born to cut the garland into suitable lengths and punch holes in them for ties. The novel idea of putting pet names on these tags soon began to gain ground and more and more were added to the donated fi rs every year. Until the top branches were fi lled, dressing the tree involved balancing on a chair, on a wobbly picnic bench, often being battered by vicious winds, occasional sleet and, on a bad day, Gerald the goat. The tradition went on to be a roaring success and was much enhanced after a visitor asked: ‘Can I put my dead dog on your Christmas Tree?’

This request sparked a decision to add a colour to hanging of a shabby piece of golden plastic represent living pets, with gold reserved for past ones. is now a fi rm favourite with people around the Florist ribbon did the trick. Although readily available, it did bring some issues with it. The job of cutting it to length was extremely tedious but punching the hole in without tearing the tag was impossible. A soldering north of Plympton, has been running for more iron solved that problem, held nervously than 40years. Founded by animal lover Carole between the knees while holding the breath against the dreadful smell of melting polyester. Another turning point arrived with the tragic death of a supporter’s daughter in 1996, when purple and blue ribbons were added to represent past and present people. The tree is still going strong, as are a signifi cant number of those hardy staff and volunteers and the soldering iron. Now safely indoors, trees will be in the sanctuary and all fi ve charity shops and, each tag is still at the original price of only 50p.

Woodside’s history

The sanctuary is set in lush farmland and conveniently adjacent to dog friendly Cann Woods. Eco-friendly with beehives, a reed bed pond and a grass roof, Woodside is well equipped to cater for the 18 species it can hold today. Carole has many memories of its creation: ‘Forty-odd years ago with my late husband Dave, I was juggling a boarding business and caring for a growing number

represent living pets, with gold reserved for past ones. Florist ribbon did the trick. Although readily available, it did bring some issues with it. iron solved that problem, held nervously between the knees while holding the breath “ Until the top branches were fi lled, dressing the tree involved balancing on a chair, on a wobbly picnic bench, often being battered by vicious winds, occasional sleet and, on a bad day, Gerald the goat. ”

of unwanted dogs and cats. Thankfully, I had some wonderful friends who helped raise enough money for food and vet bills; our Thornbury Animal Group

Carole Bowles MBE was the embryo of what we have today. Eventually we moved to Elfordleigh and rescue completely took over my life. ‘With lots of space but minimal funds, housing the increasing diversity of pets became a real challenge. Staff worked valiantly in some abysmal structures but at least our volunteers managed to stop them collapsing completely. Water and electric were dependent on who got to the switch or tap fi rst and many’s the time we lost both supplies.’ Despite Carole working unpaid funding Woodside was, and still is, a colossal task. Adding to the cost has always been the charity’s total commitment to neutering as a means of preventing the wholesale euthanasia witnessed by Carole in a long-ago shelter. ‘It was not their fault that they couldn’t fi nd homes for 50 kittens, but that awful day has never left me, and I went away determined to fi nd a way of stopping the slaughter.’

How can you help Woodside?

The animal sanctuary has fi ve charity shops which are always in need of good quality donations, particularly clothes and books. Woodside is always grateful for those people who go the extra mile to raise much-needed cash through fundraising events. The charity also has a wish list on its website. There is an Amazon Wishlist which allows supporters to purchase items and have them sent direct to the sanctuary. purchase items and have them sent direct to the sanctuary. Then there are legacies. People remembering Woodside in their will throw a real lifeline to the animals rescued and re-homed by the sanctuary — similarly, requests for donations for the charity instead of fl owers at funerals can provide a very welcome boost. n