No room in the car parks at Donkey Day

DEMAND for parking outstripped supply as the annual Castel Church Donkey Day enjoyed one if its busiest years yet yesterday.

Martin was a star Donkey Day attraction for Daniel Hurst, partner Michaela Anderson and with Scarlett, 1, and Bethany, 3. (Pictures by guernseysportsphotography.com)

Parking was available in the lower field adjoining Fairfield and in a large field in the neighbouring Les Touillets Road where a one-system was in place.

Both were full within the hour and people were being turned away as traffic queued back to the Castel Church traffic lights.

Organising committee member Chris Workman said the day had been geared towards the children.

‘We knew that the horse racing was on today, but when we looked around there didn’t seem to be any other events for children,’ he said.

An estimated 2,000 people attended last year, but numbers were difficult to quantify as there was no charge for entry or parking.

Some of the proceeds will be directed towards the church’s chosen charities, The Youth Commission, The Tumaini Fund and The Donkey Sanctuary.

Other organisations, such as the Guernsey Samaritans, ran their own stalls within Fairfield.

Games, food, stalls, and dancing were among the variety of entertainment on offer.

Mr Workman said organisers had chosen not to have a bouncy castle this year in light of UK tragedies in which youngsters died after inflatables were blown into the air.

Retail and security worker Daniel Hurst, 22, partner Michaela Anderson, 21, and daughters Bethany, 3, and Scarlett, 1, were among those at Fairfield yesterday.

‘We saw about this on Facebook and thought it would be good to bring the little ones to, and a chance for us to have a day out in the sun,’ said Mr Hurst. ‘The children love animals.’

A fun day out for Emily Martin and her daughters Felicity, 9, and Arabella, 11 months

Dental nurse Carly Groves, partner Huw Padgett, and their daughter Paige Padgett,1, from Wales, were in the island to visit Miss Groves’ brother.

‘It’s a chance for the kids to have a run around and the sun is shining,’ she said. ‘It’s good to try local things and we seem to have been eating our way through them.’

Mortgage advisor Emily Martin, 28, husband Tom, and daughters Felicity, 9, and Arabella, 11 months, said they went to Donkey Day every year.

‘It’s a good family day out and as we both work it’s a chance to get out as a family and make the most of the weather,’ said Mrs Martin.

Felicity said her favourite things were the popcorn and candy floss.

Little Buttons Pre-school, who are based at Castel Church Hall, which benefits from Donkey Day. Pre-school manager Heidi De Mouilpied, is with the rest of her team, left to right, Kim Abbotts, Lou Crowson, Cindy Taylor and Lucy Enticott.

Little Buttons Pre-School, which is based in the Castel Church Hall, was running its own stalls for the third year.

‘An event like this is very important to us,’ said manager Heidi de Mouilpied. ‘The money will go towards birthday and Christmas presents for the children and days out for them.’