Indymedia York

October 4th is World Animal Day. To celebrate this event a number of animal rescue and welfare organisations are holding an awareness day on the Activity Area in Parliament Street, York, between 10 am and 4 pm. Members of the public are invited to come and meet representatives of these organisations and find out more about the problems and issues facing companion, domesticated, agricultural and wild animals in the modern world and how these issues are being addressed and resolved by the charity and voluntary sector. There will also be opportunities to find out about a wide range of volunteering opportunities, helping animals within the York area and the County of Yorkshire. The new millennium has seen many improvements in animal welfare legislation in the UK and around the world. The UK's 2006 Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which places a duty of care on all of us who keep domestic and companion animals, has been internationally recognised as an enlightened piece of legislation.However, these changes have also presented many animal welfare and rescue organisations with additional workloads as society has adapted to the new legislation. In the long term, the 2006 AWA will make a major difference to the lives and welfare of pet and companion animals but in the short term, initial public concern about how new responsibilities will affect them has led to an increase in people gifting their pets to rescue and re-homing organisations on the grounds that they fear they may be unable to care for their animals to the standards required by the Act. This, and the financial restraints of the credit crunch, has led to pet and animal charities facing more complex and demanding tasks helping animals who have fallen by the way and alleviating concerns of owners. This Awareness Day in York sees a wide range of animal organisations coming together to celebrate the joy of our human relationship with animals and to provide information to alleviate concerns and help people understand the issues that affect them and their companions. 

York City Council has provided us with the free use of the Parliament Street Activities Area (outside Marks and Spencers) for the day. Weather permitting we will all be there between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday 4th October.

Participating Organisations (so far) - Border Collie Rescue, Retired Greyhound Trust, Jerry Green Foundation, Ryedale Badger Group, Ryedale Rehome, Selby Wildlife Rescue, Plantation Dog Rescue, Compassion in World Farming, Dogs Trust, Hull Animal Welfare Trust, Cats Protection League, Blue Cross, PDSA, RSPCA, Animal Asia Foundation.   

York Pride in the Park comes to Tower Gardens (opposite Clifford’s Tower) on Sunday, August 17 from 12pm to 5pm, this year with the theme of The Happy Hatter’s Tea Party.

LGBT people and their family and friends are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy a day of fun and entertainment, including outrageous cabaret and songs from Ms Carla Jackson (of the Viaduct, Leeds) and friends; live funk and folk from local artists Jess Gardham and Casee Wilson and band Jesus and the Funky Monkeys, plus DJs Rich and Rus.

There will also be two bars plus community and commercials stalls offering things to see and buy. Picnic packs and essentials will be available at the park and at the Little John on Castlegate.

Organiser Nesh Vaswani said: “It’s fun, it’s glamorous, it’s outrageous, it’s sticking your tongue out at being boring, and it’s all about being who you are and being proud of it. Bring friends, bring family, and bring your pets and their friends.

Bring a picnic, and a picnic blanket, and come enjoy the sunshine by the river and celebrate the diversity of our community – all while wearing a funky hat. There will be prizes for the most imaginative headgear.

If you don’t have a hat, there will be a stall with material for you to make your own and unleash your hidden hatter.”

“And after the picnic, mosey on down to the Little John, where landlords Chris and Dom have put together an evening of fantastic entertainment.”

This year’s Pride in the Park is put together by volunteers from the York LGB Forum.

Anyone who wants to get involved should contact Nesh by email at pride.york@ymail.com.

Planning meeting for York Green Festival 2008