On the 1st Jan every year since 1993, several members of the DBS take part in the New Year’s Day London Parade. The parade has grown since it started in 1987 and is one of the biggest in the world with up to 10,000 performers.
The parade starts at 12 noon in Picadilly and winds around Picadilly Circus, across Trafalger Square, down Whitehall to the finish in Parliament Square. About 500,000 people line the streets and there is a worldwide audience of 300 million. Around £1.5 million has been raised for charity since its inception.
Participants range from an entry from each London Borough, steam traction engines, pearly kings and queens, costume societies, bike clubs, marching bands and many more. The parade is very colourful, busy and loud!
Around 50 members usually take part with around 30 donkeys. They are driven, lead and ridden around the route by their owners. The DBS group is preceded by the banner holders and all the participants wear the distinctive blue fleeces of the society. There is also a special rosette for every participant and everyone attending collects a medal.
Any member is welcome to join the parade, with or without donkeys, more donkeys and helpers are always needed. Invitations go out in the DBS publication Bray Talk.
Pictures by Stephen and Helen Jones on Flickr
The Donkey Breed Society Blog 