Dawn Magic!

8.00 am on Monday 23rd October. Could one ask for a better start to the day?!!

RDA Green Card

It's now about 3 months since I was introduced to the wonderful facilities at East Holton Driving Centre.
Attending only two days a week I feel very much part of the team and have now completed my RDA Green Card (the volunteers basic training record card) which means that I am reasonably competent to carry out all duties in the yard. This includes loading and securing wheelchair users or assisting ambulant clients into the specially adapted Bennington carts, grooming and harnessing the horses, and "putting to" (attaching the cart to the horse).There is so much to learn for the safety of all that come to the yard.

Of course not all volunteers are required to go this far - this is my choice - helpers are required to help in any way they can, if only as a cycle escort, cleaning harness or whatever they are comfortable with. We're a lovely bunch of people!:-)
The East Holton Driving Centre values input of people at all levels, whether as drivers or helpers.

It will take a little longer for me to learn to drive proficiently enough to become an able bodied Whip.
At the end of this month the horses will take a well-earned rest until after Christmas.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Margaret Newell on celebrating her 75th birthday last week.
Margaret stepped down from Group Organiser about two years ago, handing over the reins (excuse the pun!) to Wally Pitt, the present Group Organiser.
Margaret and husband John, are still an enormous asset and fulfil a useful role helping out frequently.

Marmite Uses 4-Wheeler

Marmite....Walk on!

Marmite pulls the 4 - wheel Bennington carriage. Hydraulics allow the tail to be lowered and, with a pair of aluminium ramps that stow away under the floor, wheelchair users are able to ride up to a position alongside a qualified able bodied whip, and be secured with webbing straps to the floor. Some of our clients are excellent drivers and derive great pleasure driving round the various routes available on Holton Lee.
Marmite cuts a dashing figure decked out for occasional weddings that he is asked to attend at Faith House!
Holton Lee has a license to hold civil wedding ceremonies, baby naming and commitment ceremonies. This is another way they can share the wonderful facilities at Holton Lee and in particular the award winning building “Faith House”.

Putting to...

The carriage being put to Maggie for her first drive of the day.

Charlie Brown eagerly waits his turn to get between the shafts!

Deep grooming was stopped a couple of weeks ago to allow the winter coat to grow ready for harsher weather. None of the horses are rugged at all, so the grease is allowed to rise in the coat to give natural protection from the elements. Of course this does mean a bit more work to clean the harness, but then grooming is only a light flick over with a Dandy brush to remove any caked mud or dirt. Field shelters are accessible if they want to use them.