Our friends at the Donkey Breed Society have come up with a novel way to raise awareness of the service and sacrifice of animals in conflicts. Donkeys will be in attendance at York Army Museum as a cascade of hundreds of crafted purple poppies are unveiled on Saturday, April 13 at 12.30 by the Lord Mayor of York, the Rev Councillor Chris Cullwick.
 
Gifted to the Northern Region of the Society by a group of makers from Richmond, North Yorkshire, the poppies had been on display in a pet shop in the town. Now, to raise further awareness of the UK’s official acknowledgement of International War Animal Day, on February 24, and the work of War Horse Memorial, the display will be taken on an eight-month tour across the country, and will be exhibited in military museums in Carlisle and Chester.

With additional artefacts to create a museum exhibit, and with camouflage netting from nearby RAF Catterick, the tour will visit York (April-May); the Cumbrian Museum of Military Life in Carlisle (June-July); Poynton, near Stockport in August and the Cheshire Military Museum in Chester (October - December). The organisers hope it will bring together education, awareness of the service and sacrifice of animals in war and a recognition of the importance of crafting and charity.   
 
Sarah Booth for the Donkey Breed Society in the North, said: “We are pleased to show this beautiful work, albeit against a backdrop of sadness.  We can only imagine the horror experienced by these animals.  They had no choice and yet their contributions assisted in giving us the democracy we enjoy today.  We are very grateful to the York Army Museum for allowing us to begin the Richmond poppies’ journey in York.”