This time last year we were heading for the celebration of Twilight’s founding anniversary (watch out for more news of this next week!). Who would have thought that just over six months later all our regular fundraising events would be cancelled and there’d be strict restrictions on our opportunities to meet up and socialise. As we’ve posted over the past few weeks, life goes on here at TW HQ and we’ve had to come up with new ways of raising much-needed funds. If you’ve been missing the chance to meet up with fellow animal lovers at Twilight events, we’ve put together a few reminders of past events to cheer you up.

Every year Twilight has to raise €35,000 just to cover the food and vets bills, keep the car on the road, and a roof over the dogs’ heads. The Twilight Fundraisers seem to find more and more inventive ways to raise funds every year. There are events locally in the Dordogne, further afield in the Charente and even in the very south of France, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Some Twilight fundraising schemes have become fixed in the annual calendar of events, starting with the May vide grenier at La Charrue, followed by a stall at the Hope Book Sale later the same month. In 2016, Twilight threw open its doors for the first time with two highly successful open days, and we’ve held one or two open days in summer every year since, due to popular demand. After our summer events, there’s another vide grenier at La Charrue in late September and the second Hope Book Sale in October. As winter approaches, there are candles to remember loved ones, canine or human who have passed over the Rainbow Bridge, on All Souls’ Day, and then it’s time to prepare for the Christmas Fete, and of course, sell the myriad of gifts like calendars, T-shirts, and tea towels.

The Hope Booksale

The annual Hope Book Sale has become a must on the local calendar in Nouvelle Aquitaine. Visitors are not just confined to the English community, there are French supporters and a selection of French books. Many people travel considerable distances to stock up on a good supply of quality second-hand books, all priced at just €1 each. It’s not unusual to see people wandering around with shopping bags and boxes full. Twilight always have a presence, usually accompanied by one or two puddings. These photos are from 2017 – look at how tiny baby Braille is!

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The Twilight Open Day

Our very first open day took place in 2016 and was a rip-roaring success. Taking the format of an open air garden fete, there are stalls selling crafts and bric-a-brac, plants and books, plus lots of food and drink. Then there’s the chance to tour Twilight HQ and cuddle a pudding. These photos are from our second event  in 2017.

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The La Charrue Big Vide

The famous vide greniers at La Charrue have now become a much-anticipated bi-annual event. In May and September, Pauline and Clive’s campsite plays host to the event in the old doggies’ honour. All stallholders pay a pitch fee which is donated to the Twilighters, and Twilight has its own massive stall, too, selling heaps of bric-a-brac that has been amassed throughout the year. Visitors enjoy Pauline’s wonderful food, which usually has a bit of a British theme, and there’s a fantastic atmosphere, whatever the weather. Here are some pics from 2017 and 2019.

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The Christmas Fayre

Our Christmas Fayre usually takes place at the salle de fetes in St Paul la Roche. It features all the usual craft and gift stalls, raffles, music, food and drink, including mulled wine, and the chance to meet Father Christmas. In 2016 we went for an extravaganza weekend with an evening dinner dance catered by volunteers serving over eighty guests, followed by live music. Who knows? Christmas might not be cancelled this year, but it’s too early to tell. Be assured though, if we do need to take a rain check on the festive fayre this year to keep this wretched virus at bay, we’ll have an extra special virtual Christmas instead!

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