Table-top event will top-up the cat kitty ...
18 May 2017
21.5.17. Stop press! Great day had by all and Jen's jams raised around £170!
Big-hearted Betty Farruggia – secretary of Walsall Road allotments and animal lover – is holding a table top sale on Sunday (21st May). Cats Protection supporters are invited along knowing that their spending spree will help fund the needs of the difficult-to-home felines who live on the allotments as well as the cats and kittens in the care of the branch.
Says Betty: “Those who’ve been before know what a great day it is – this is our first event this year. Jams and preserves made by CP volunteer Jenny Reynolds always sell out, so come early! Also on sale will be plants, cards, bricabrac, fruit and veg. Of course, it will be sunny (!) but just in case of rain, it will be held indoors.
“I have three cats living on my plot – Wanda, E.T. and Red Fred. They are all really friendly and wait for me every morning. Plot-holder Ken has Miss Gloria Glover, Janet and Paul on his plot. Psycho lives by the main pavilion, with our new boy Robert. Psycho seems to be getting used to him and only smacks him a few times a day now. Luckily he doesn’t care.”
Cats Protection North Birmingham are so grateful to everyone at Walsall Road as they give Jenny their rhubarb, blackberries, raspberries, beans and courgettes – and they all end up in one or other of Jen’s mouth-wateringly delicious recipes for jams and chutneys. And some of the monies raised helps the ‘unhomeable’ CP-rescued cats who live out their lives happily on the allotments – keeping any vermin at bay and getting their keep and vet treatment in return.
Confirms Betty: “The last cat to need vet treatment was Psycho. She had a small keratin horn removed from the top of her head and it cost us over £200. I like to make sure we have money saved and in reserve in case any of them need treatment. We don’t skimp on the cats!
*The event runs from 11 till 1, free admission, with parking on site for blue badge holders. Visit the Walsall Road allotments website (www.growit.btck.co.uk) for more information about the event and future events, or applying for a plot.
** Cats Protection is always looking for allotment-type places for their hard-to-home cats. Anyone with stables, allotments, a farm or even hotel grounds - anywhere where vermin needs to be kept down - can contact the helpline - 0345 260 1503. A CP volunteer will call back to discuss the options.