Donkey Sanctuary gives club a mini mascot

Published: 6:29 PM September 2, 2016 Updated: 6:53 PM November 7, 2020

The Donkey Sanctuary Slade House Farm Manager Maxine Carter, helped by Twiggy the donkey presented a new 'lucky' donkey model to John Mason, Mike Borst and Bert Hague from the Sidmouth Bowling Club while the large wicker model which was located by the club undergoes repair. Ref shs 35-16SH 6526 Picture: Simon Horn. - Credit: Archant

Sidmouth Bowls Club has received a mini mascot as a stand in for its ‘lucky’ wicker donkey to end their outdoor season.

Members picked up a smaller wicker version from the Donkey Sanctuary on Wednesday but not in time to prevent it’s over 60s A-team from being relegated.

As reported in the Herald last week, the club had been searching for the life-size wicker donkey since June as its disappearance tied in with a dip in form for the A-team.

Club member Burt Hague put up a tongue-and-cheek poster searching for the missing figure. The donkey was found to have gone on holiday back to the Donkey Sanctuary,

The charity, which owns the figure, offered the club a mini-mascot in place of the donkey to support them through the rest of its season.

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John Mason, outdoor men’s captain, said: “The Donkey Sanctuary offered to give us a mascot in lieu of the donkey, so we have now put it pride of place in the clubhouse.

“We lost last week which then relegated us. The donkey has come a little too late for this year.”