Donkeys, Brownies and distinguished guests at Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life marked the arrival of ‘The Richmond Poppies’, the second leg of a tour commemorating the roles played by animals and birds across the globe, in theatres of war, past and present. 

Shadow and Dusky, from Wyeknot Donkeys, were accompanied in Carlisle by owner and Brown Owl, Janice Brown, joined by Brownies Ella Brown, Amelia Blake, and Jessica Irving who gave an accomplished account as to why the animals were being commemorated.  A moving address was delivered by retired Bishop, Rt. Rev. John Richardson who attended with Mrs Richardson. Amongst distinguished local guests were Dr and Mrs J Fotheringham, JP, DL, the former High Sheriff of Cumbria.

Raising awareness of the UK’s official acknowledgement of International War Animal Day and the purple poppy campaign of The War Horse Memorial, the display brings together education and recognition of the importance of crafting and charity.  Beautifully crocheted in a broad spectrum of purples and mauves, the poppies are a poignant reminder of sacrifices made.

Beginning their tour at the York Army Museum, where the display has attracted a wide audience over two months, the poppies were gifted to the Northern Region of the Donkey Breed Society by a group of craft makers from Richmond, in North Yorkshire. Carefully worked up, with additional artefacts to create a museum exhibit, the tour will remain at the Cumbrian Museum of Military Life in Carlisle during June and July before moving later in the year to Cheshire’s Military Museum.

Allison Roberts, Northern Regional Delegate for the Donkey Breed Society said: “We are so pleased to bring this interesting work to Carlisle.  These animals must be remembered. They experienced much horror and yet their contributions have assisted in giving us the democracy we enjoy today. We are very grateful to Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life for welcoming the tour to this part of the world.

“We are delighted to bring a commemorative painting by artist Joss Goodchild, a member of the Donkey Breed Society from Cambridge, to Carlisle. Joss’s body of work encompasses compositions in oil and watercolour, often of her beloved East Anglian fens. She says that colour, the abundant fen wildlife, an awareness of land geometrics and farming rhythms often inform and influence her artwork.  We were very grateful that she produced this marvellous piece for us, to commemorate the first officially recognised International War Animal Day, in the UK."