The work off the equine charity The Donkey Sanctuary has been highlighted to a wider audience thanks to BBC Radio 4s Gardeners Question Time, with an unexpected guest joining proceedings to the delight of the audience.A live recording of the popular show at the Sidmouth sanctuary involved panellists AnneSwithinbank, Pippa Greenwood and Matthew Pottage, as well as an audience of around 150 gardening enthusiasts. It was hosted by Peter Gibbs who set the scene for listeners by describing The Donkey Sanctuarys location and setting in Devon, before going on to explain the global reach of the charity.The longstanding radio programme is recorded in a different location every week and each show attracts around two million listeners, providing the perfect opportunity to introduce The Donkey Sanctuary to a new audience on national radio.Conundrums and kiwisGQT panellists Anne Swithinbank, Matthew Pottage and Pippa GreenwoodIts just such a lovely, quiet, peaceful spot, great horticulture, which of course is the reason were here, said programme host Peter Gibbs ahead of the recording.Ive only seen one or two donkeys so far, so I have to put that right and actually go and get up close and personal with a donkey or two.The audience provided a wide range of horticultural conundrums and some even came prepared with examples to back up their questions, the most unusual being some locally grown kiwi fruit. A feline fanHatching a plan? Beau checks out the setup prior to the showThere was an unexpected twist in proceedings, which brought a ripple of laughter to the audience, when the resident sanctuary cat made a brief appearance on stage alongside the panellists. Grey moggy Beau was not one to be left out of the limelight, but he was soon escorted somewhere quieter by a member of staff, leaving no further interruptions.During the evening, two programmes were recorded at the sanctuary, the first was transmitted on Friday 28 August,and the second will be broadcast on Friday 25 September.The original broadcast is on Fridays at 3pm, then repeated on Sundays at 2pm.People can also catch up with the episodes on the BBC Sounds platform.The Donkey Sanctuary has beautiful gardens which visitors can enjoy for freeThe Donkey Sanctuary is open every day and is free to visit. Alongside a couple of hundred resident donkeys, the sanctuarys small team of dedicated gardeners look after the landscaped gardens for visitors to enjoy. The sanctuary also has its own award-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden, which was relocated to East Devon in 2019.Among those who were in the audience for the shows recording last week was The Donkey Sanctuarys Head Gardener Morley Martin. To have Gardeners Question Time at The Donkey Sanctuary is quite a thing, its a real feather in our cap, he added.More from Your HorseDoes your horse really need to wear a rug when its wet? Equine vet advisesWhat do horses do at night?Am I good enough? How to build your riding confidence and self-belief *VIDEO*Overcome bad hacking habits to become the rider your horse wantsThe post Donkey Sanctuary hosts Gardeners Question Time, with unplanned visit from four-legged friend appeared first on Your Horse.