A photographic exhibition chronicling 11 years of action against live exports running from Ramsgate will go on show at the town’s York Street Gallery this September.
The works in (The art of) Compassion are by Westgate mum-of-two and photographer Denise Botalli who began charting the fight in Thanet against the live export trade after joining Kent Action Against Live animal Exports (KAALE) and Thanet Against Live Exports (TALE).
Denise said: “Little did I know that this 11 year journey would see me amass hundreds of photographs documenting the demonstrations from the arrival of the live export lorries to them boarding the Joline – the old, converted Russian river boat once used to transport military machinery. The aim of the photographs was initially to gather evidence against the live exporters.
“With the impending Kept Animals Bill progressing through Parliament, with the intention of facilitating a ban on all live exports among other points, the end of our fight is in sight.
“With this in mind I decided it was time to put together a photographic exhibition chronicling my work to show the determination and rollercoaster ride of raw emotions which each shipment brought.”
Live animal exports moved from Dover to Ramsgate in 2011. In 2012 the then-ruling Labour group at Thanet council banned exports from Ramsgate after 47 sheep died at the port in September of that year but they were forced to make a U-turn by the High Court.
TDC has since paid more than £5.1 million in compensation to individuals and companies involved in the export of live farm animals from the port of Ramsgate for loss of trade.
The claims followed the High Court ruling in December 2013 that TDC’s ban was unlawful and in breach of EU free trade regulations.
The Kept Animals Bill began has been delayed three times, due to covid, Ukraine and now the change of leadership in the Conservative party. Prince Charles mentioned the Bill in his address to Parliament and the government has assured KAALE that it will progress through the Parliamentary processes toward Royal Ascent.
The last live export from Ramsgate took place on December 31, 2020.
Denise’s work has been framed by Birchington Framing Centre. She says she was also inspired by another Thanet photographer, Sue Fewings, who also recently exhibited works at York Street Gallery.
It will be on display at the gallery from September 7-14.
