Exciting Spring Events at Remus Horse Sanctuary

As spring approaches, Remus Horse Sanctuary is gearing up for a vibrant calendar of events, offering something for everyone ahead of their much-anticipated Open Days, which begin on the first Sunday of the month from May through to October (weather permitting). With a diverse range of activities, supporters can learn, create, shop, and dine – all while raising essential funds for the Sanctuary.

March has some fantastic fundraising events to enjoy:

On Friday 8 March, put your knowledge to the test at our Quiz Evening at Stock Village Hall. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start – gather your team and join us for a fun and competitive evening.

On Saturday 16 March, there are two great opportunities to support the Sanctuary. First, our Online Auction via the Remus Facebook page starts at 11am, offering a fantastic selection of items to bid on. Later in the day, join us for the Curry Club at Nirvana Indian Restaurant in Ingatestone. For £22 per person, you’ll enjoy poppadoms, dips, a main course, side dish, and rice or bread. The event starts at 2pm for a 2.15pm sit-down, and advance booking is required. (These two events will also be repeated on Sunday 27 April.)

April kicks off with an Elderly Horse Workshop at the Sanctuary on Sunday 6 April, running from 11am to 3pm. This insightful session is designed to help horse owners understand how to support their equine companions in their later years. Attendees can enjoy tea, coffee, and homemade cakes while gaining valuable knowledge. The workshop costs £40 per person, and booking is essential by calling 01277 356191.

On Saturday 12 April, creative minds can take part in a Cake Decorating Workshop at the Billericay Reading Rooms from 11am to 2pm. Participants will learn to ice a cake with fondant and develop basic modelling techniques to craft their very own Easter Bunny cake! The workshop costs £45 per person, including sugarpaste, modelling paste, and a cake board. To secure your place, call the office on 01277 356191.

Look out for details on our website of our Fashion Show on Saturday 17 May and Enrichment Workshop on Sunday 25 May.

Sue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, said: “Spring is an exciting time for us as we prepare for our Open Days, and we’re delighted to offer such a wonderful mix of new events for our supporters.

“Whether you’re learning, bidding, or dining with us, every event helps to raise much-needed funds for the animals in our care. We’d love to see as many people as possible getting involved!”

For further information about the invaluable work at the Sanctuary, visit www.remussanctuary.org or call 01277 356191.

Hoofs, Paws and Claws Crossed at Remus Horse Sanctuary

The animals and staff alike at Remus Horse Sanctuary in Essex are crossing everything that the weather before and during their next Open Day on Sunday 7 August will be fine and dry, unlike the three previous dates.

Unfortunately, the charity has had to cancel its three previous Open Days due to either very wet weather beforehand or devastating flooding, as was the case in July. Losing such prominent dates in the fundraising event calendar has been financially crippling for the Sanctuary who rely on the Summer events to boost their finances ready for the Winter.

Sue confirmed, “To lose half of our major Summer fundraising events is a very hard blow indeed. These events are essential to us in order to replenish our depleted coffers to help fund the Sanctuary through the rest of the Summer and most essentially the Winter season.”

On Sunday 7 August, the gates at the Sanctuary will open to the public for the first time this year from 1pm to 5pm. Visitors will be able to meet all 200 animals – including the new born and rescued foals from 2014 and 2015 – enjoy refreshments, musical entertainment from Midnite Blu and, for the children, there will be lots of activities and games. Admission for adults is £4, children £2 and dogs are more than welcome if kept on a lead.

Due to the Sanctuary’s location, which is on green belt land, it can only open to the public six times a year, and has already lost out on May, June and July. The Open Days, which are the Sanctuary’s primary source of fundraising, along with membership sales and animal sponsorship, help contribute to the annual running costs of £440,000.

Sue Burton, the Sanctuary’s founder says, “Our Open Days are a great way of introducing the public to the escalating plight of horse welfare, currently in crisis in the UK, and for them to learn more about animal husbandry.” Sue went on to say that not everyone mistreats an animal through malice, but that sometimes it is through sheer lack of awareness or education, “the Open Days are a fun way of introducing young and old to animal welfare and we’re all looking forward to opening our doors for the first time in 2016!”.

For further information, browse the website – www.remussanctuary.org – or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191.