Phil Jones with two of Wirral Riding Centre s horses that need your help. A POPULAR horse riding and training centre needs Globe readers help to overcome fundraising challenges caused by the pandemic. Phil Jones took over Wirral Riding Centre in 2008 and helped it become one of the biggest British Horse Society (BHS) approved venues in the UK. But over the last ten months, the Neston-based business has faced its biggest challenge ever . COVID-19 and, as a result of lockdown measures, is temporarily closed. Phil s main concern and priority is ensuring the centre s horses and ponies continue to be well looked after at the highest standard during the current crisis. To this end, he has set up a Just Giving Page and needs your support to raise £2,000 to help pay towards the daily day to day costs.
“ACV status is really important as it really strengthens our cause,” centre manager Natalie O’Rourke told
H&H.
“It buys us some time as it means that we have the right to bid and that the landlord cannot sell it to another person without first offering it to us to buy.”
The stables, which is a registered charity, serves the community as a Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and Pony Club centre, and is a safe haven for children who can be referred there by the local authority and schools. As well as offering riding lessons, Park Lane Stables also welcomes those who benefit from spending time with horses on the ground.
A LARGE part of the Tyne Valley music community nearly didn t get his New Year s honour. Stuart Stokell, who is the assistant musical director and accompanist to the Hexham Male Voice Choir and also the accompanist to the Ovingham and District Choir, was awarded the BEM for his work in the Brampton community, in which he lives and works as a freelance organist, pianist and singer and a celebrant for secular funerals. He also runs the Brampton community choir which has, in itself, raised money for charity as well as giving concerts to local organisations. As an individual, it’s estimated Stuart has raised much more than £150,000 through sky-dives, sponsored walks and other fund-raisers.
By Reg Little
Horse trials expected to set record THOUSANDS will begin heading for Woodstock for the Blenheim Palace horse trials next week, with the magic of the Olympics certain to swell crowds at the international event. This year’s Blenheim trials is to host an eventing qualifier for the London 2012 Olympics, and crowds well in excess of 60,000 people are expected over the four days. The Oxford Times is again among the sponsors of the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, which runs from Thursday, September 8, until Sunday, September 11. Organisers say they are anticipating the biggest crowds since Blenheim hosted the European Eventing Championships in 2005.
Horse & Hound
Trending: Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
A legendary former jockey, top racing figures and those who have changed lives for the better are among the list of those named in the 2021 New Year Honours List.
Bob Champion was appointed CBE for charitable services to prostate and testicular cancer research. Bob was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1979 and given weeks to live, but two years later (pictured) won the Grand National on Aldaniti, a horse who had overcome serious leg injuries.
Bob was appointed MBE after that win, which also led to the setting up of the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, as many of those who had backed him sent their winnings to the Royal Marsden Hospital. Bob paid tribute to all those at the trust, which has raised some £15m, for the honour, adding that he was very surprised but “absolutely chuffed”.