The Donkeys
The donkeys were almost the starting point to this story. Sarah Blowers one of the project managers and artistic director of Fairgame Theatre walked back to the UK from Southern Spain with a donkey when she was 23.
She lived in Spain with her now husband who kept and worked with Donkeys over there. They have subsequently spent time trekking together in Gloucestershire with young people and donkeys.
The Chalford Donkey Project is run by Local Artist Anna Usborne who also lived in Spain and was inspired by the donkeys over there.
Anna, Sarah and Piers have worked together on a few donkey projects and As I walked out. Feels like the perfect project for all their skills and collective donkey experiences.
Teddy and Chester are the Chalford donkeys.
Teddy will pull a small cart designed by Piers with a solar panel on it.
Chester will have specially made panniers (by Piers) so he can carry equipment.
Merlin and Arthur are being lent to the project by Claire Cook and they come all the way from Bruton Somerset.
Piers, Sarah and Anna are going to spend the next few months training the boys and getting to know them.
If you would like to help please contact us!!!
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Chalford Donkey Project
As I Walked Out is working in close collaboration with the Chalford Donkey Project whose famous donkeys Teddy and Chester will be joining the walk this summer. The launch of the project in 2008 was greeted by an international press frenzy with newspaper, TV and radio reports. Set up by artist Anna Usborne, the Chalford Donkey Project runs a weekly donkey delivery service transporting groceries from the local village shop direct to villagers' houses.
Chalford is a beautiful Cotswold village set on the side of a steep wooded valley with stong historical links to donkeys. There are many houses that cannot be accessed by car and can only be reached by a winding network of 'donkey paths'. Donkeys were used in the village as late as the 1930's to make deliveries, carrying bread, coal and many other household items to people's doorsteps. It seemed timely that in 2008 the Chalford donkey should make a come back, bringing a real focus to community life and a chance for people to have contact with animals and to think about alternative ways of transporting local goods.
www.chalforddonkeyproject.blogspot.com
© FairGame Theatre Company 2006
Part of the QUEST - seven journeys through the landscapes of the South West - a region-wide programme for the Cultural Olympiad
