Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
IT definitely seems as though the Ealing Animal Charities Fair is moving up a gear this year.
It might be the 41st fair but it’s certainly not losing its momentum. I’ve just had a twitter message from someone considering flying down from Scotland to attend the day.
Part of the attraction is the fantastic programme of speakers at the fair. These include Dr Alison Cronin, director of the worldfamous ape rescue centre, Monkey World.
At the fair, she will be representing her late husband’s charity, the Jim Cronin Memorial Fund.
Speakers also include Duncan McNair (Founder of awardwinning Save The Asian Elephants), Greyhound Compassion, Sea Shepherd (always so cool) and Michelle Clark (founder of multi-award winning Dogs On The Streets).
If it was a conference, delegates would pay good money to hear these speakers but, at the fair admission is free.
As well as the speakers, there will also be more than 35 animal charities/societies with stalls selling bargains and merchandise. These include Mayhew, Compassion in World Farming, Animals Asia, All Dogs Matter, Swan Lifeline and, new to the fair this year, the Dolphin Project.
Then there is the music. Live music is being provided by brilliant composer and musician Alastair Gavin.
This year, as well as his keyboard, there’s going to be a couple of pianos around the fair in different rooms, so visitors and stallholders will be able to enjoy Alastair’s music in a variety of places.
It’s also good news that the Mayor of Ealing and the Ealing MPs, Rupa Huq, Steve Pound and Virendra Sharma, will be visiting the fair.
The Ealing Animal Charities Fair (ealinganimalsfair. london) takes place at Hanwell Methodist Church, Church Road, London W7 1DJ on Saturday March 2 (10.30am to 4pm).
One of the stalls at the fair that’s always laden with wonderful things to buy is the popular Hounslow Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) stall.
Pirate and Rambler are just two of the kittens currently in HAWS care.
Their foster mum says these 21 week old boys will play with anyone but have to know you before coming for cuddles.
She says they miaow loudly when they want food and miaow silently when they want a cuddle.
If you can offer a home to this communicative pair (who must be homed together), see hawsanimals.org.uk or call 020 8560 5443.