A tribute song to show our grateful thanks for the compassionate work of
Mary Alice and Chris Pollard (pictured above) and remembering always the
wonderful safe haven of peace they created for the rescue animals of Jollity
Farm.
Jollity Farm - Febuary 20th 1997 to January 20th 2010
We will always treasure fond memories of our visits to Jollity Farm
in Gerrans, Cornwall. Jollity was home to over 40 rescue animals, from
chickens, turkeys, ponies, ducks, sheep and goats, even tortoises were kept
safe, well fed and loved by the kind hands of Mary Alice and Chris.
Since Jollity Farm closed due to the demands of developers earlier this
year, I have wanted to express how I felt about the loss of this special
little place of green and comforting beauty and peace. I know Mary and Chris
were heartbroken. Can you imagine, over 10 years of your life and work gone
in an instant. All the animals were found the best forever homes possible,
but still it was wrong that progress gobbled up a small sanctuary and cast
it to the wayside. Later we learned that it was all for nothing, the
developers didn't actually want or need the land that Jollity stood on. That
was the final cut. Yet Mary and Chris, ever determined to do what they can
to help animals at risk and in need, created a new, tiny sanctuary in a
field nearby and they are still saving lives and giving their fur and
feathered friends a life of happiness and care in a small peaceful corner of
Gerrans now known as The Jollity Meadow.
Paul and I wanted to make
something beautiful out of the sad story of the loss of Jollity Farm and so
we wrote this song as a gift to Mary and Chris. We hope they will know how
much we wish things had been different and through this song share our
feelings, because there was no other place like Jollity and a little piece
of our hearts will always be there.
The true spirit of Jollity
remains and it is rebuilt, smaller but just as safe and peaceful for those
animals that need a home and those that nobody else can save.
The words ---
JOLLITY FARM
I been tryin' to write this song,
too long Feels like breakin' an arm Something's stirrin' in my heart,
long gone I'm goin' home, to my Jollity Farm
Someone took away my
home, hard as stone Cut me to the bone Now I wander in the blue,
because of you I never felt so alone
Some folks fall n' some folks
cry You'll see hardship in their eyes They'll stand tall to do what's
right Some give up n' some give in And I know just where you been
Your gentle heart will bear the fight
I saw Alfy in my dreams, sweet
dreams Never saw love so true I know heaven ain't so far, too far
For someone good as you
People hurt n' people change, not you Your
love stays the same If I'm comin' home today, well it ain't far I'm
comin' home, to my Jollity Farm
Progress swept away your land, good
land Cast those wicked deeds Broke your hearts n' wrecked your plans,
oh man Blew away the seeds
But I know you are fightin' still, you
always will Keepin' life from harm You put that flag back on the hill,
yeah you rebuilt Yeah you rebuilt, our Jollity Farm...
-Maria Daines/Paul Killington All Rights Reserved (mcps) ASCAP
9.10.10
Mary
Alice and Alfy
Photographs on this page courtesy of Justnice Photos
