Season Start

The better weather in the last two weeks has enabled us to start getting in some drives for disabled drivers at last. This year's wet spring has put everything back at least three weeks.

At the moment our Group Organiser, Wally, is the only AB Whip qualified to accompany a disabled driver, so the team of volunteers has to manage some slick pit-stop changes by having a change of horse and carriage ready waiting for when the first horse has done its stint for the day; Wally can then step down from one drive and up for the next with just enough time for a refreshing drink!

The team of volunteers we have helping now, as a result of Wally's training in the last two months, can all turn their hand to any of the many tasks in the yard from grooming, harnessing/unharnessing, putting-to (horse to carriage), loading and unloading of both ambulant and wheelchair drivers, escorting on bicycles, to the cleaning of harness. There is a lovely cheerful atmosphere in the yard which is wonderful......we all get something out of these activities!

On Monday this week we had the services of Caroline Douglas, one of the country's top BDS instructors to give myself and Denise, (candidates for the test to qualify as AB Whips) a training session and to inspect some new harness that has been made for Marmite as the result of a generous donation by one of our regular disabled drivers. All harness must be inspected and approved for use with RDA carriage driving.

Caroline Douglas LHHI is one of the best exponents of carriage driving today. She has successfully competed in both the show ring and driving trials with single and multiple turnouts. She is a senior panel judge, examiner, lecturer and trainer, with a driving and riding centre in Sussex.

Margaret Anne Newell 1931 - 2007

I first got to know Margaret not too many years ago of her 75 years spent on this earth, while acting as the charity representative for the Household Cavalry Association Dorset. After I retired I visited the centre to make a wish list of items that the association could purchase for the group, I then said, I would like to help short term while Margaret went in hospital for a heart problem and I am still there. I was on probation with Margaret at that time, and still was until the end. We didn’t see eye to eye all of the time but formed a team that stood the test. We produced the horses as required for the work that they had to do with the disabled drivers and riders, when I worked for the cavalry money wasn’t as important as it was at Ash Tree Stables the charity. I soon learned how to save money.

I quickly learned that if it meant saving bedding, you mucked out by hand, with the gloves provided, woe betide you if an unnecessary scrap went out. It was pointed out that Aubious, the bedding material, was £7 a bag - not to be wasted. Every string on the bales of hay had to then and still do, have to be cut close to the knot; this is so you get the maximum length of twine so you can recycle it. It is used for many things. There is a piece in all the carriage spares kits, it is made into loops to tie the horses to, all the hay nets are home produced using baler twine nothing was ever wasted. This skill was taught us by Margaret; Denise and Alex carry it on.

Margaret had the vision of the stable yard as we know it today. John being a builder was able to create it for her; a lot of the materials were given and scrounged, volunteers provided the labour. John was a wonderful partner for Margaret, devoted and loving. As a couple they cared about people, caring and helping many with house and pet sitting while they were away from home. In our latest News Letter I described Margaret as follows; A crusty old horsewoman with a heart of gold, There is the right way, the wrong way, and Margaret’s way and as long as you did it Margaret’s way it was fine, you could say that was because it was the right way.

Remember Margaret, straight, brusk, tough, but kind and caring; a lady with two sides. Margaret and John were not financially rich, but whatever they have they are willing to share, this was shown as recently as Christmas, when they shared their hospitality with someone living on their own. Margaret we will all miss you. With your religious belief; I was always told if you need anything at Ash Tree Stables God will provide it, the gate will open and there it will be, if Margaret gets a place on the right committee in heaven this will be better than ever. I imagine you will be the brightest star in the night sky. Perhaps it was Margaret arriving that caused the eclipse of the moon I watched on the 3rd of March! We promised Margaret three things in Poole Hospital, to look after John, feed the birds and to continue to run the group to the standard she had set. We pledge to do our best, to do that now.

Posted by Wally Pitt (EHDC Group Organiser)

Funeral of Margaret Newell

The horses say their good-byes.

I've only known Margaret for a very short time; I first met this dynamic lady tearing around on her scooter organising the Holton Lee horse show in August last year. She has been described as a "crusty old horse-woman with a heart of gold" but, in a very short time I discovered that crusty shell to be egg-shell thin and underneath was a very warm and caring person who will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

It was very fitting that Margaret should make her last journey from Holton Lee to the Poole Crematorium and the horses were all brought up to say their good-byes. Marmite, true to character, gave a brief nod of his head to Margaret as he brushed past the hearse, threading his way through the family and guests and headed out to sample the untouched lush grass around Faith House!!

Meanwhile the other three horses paid their gentle respects to Margaret and were put back within the boundaries of the Camp Field to graze. However, when they saw the privileged grazing that Marmite had assumed for himself on the wrong side of the fence they all took off at a gallop round the perimeter, drawing Marmite in to the chase until they reached the wooded area where Marmite had no choice but to jump the electric fence back into the field with the others.

With spirits high they headed back down the field to circle excitedly round Wally who was standing patiently to calm them down. They circled Wally several times as if he was lungeing them and then quite suddenly Marmite slowed to a walk and stopped by Wally's shoulder to have his head-collar taken off!

Husband John conceded that Margaret would have enjoyed such a spirited send-off and she would have had a good chuckle!

Both the Crematorium and the Lytchett Minster Chuch were packed with friends and relatives.
The Service of Thanksgiving was a lovely , moving service planned by Margaret herself, and the whole afternoon was rounded off with food and drink back at Holton Lee Farmhouse. God bless you Margaret.

Posted by Jonnie Colvile

Weather Change

At last the weather looks to be changing to a drier spell as a high pressure system moves in from the Azores.

As the ground dries out we are beginning to find the going in the fields easier. Last week the horses were really struggling to pull the carts as the narrow wheels sank in to the soft ground, but today the going was much firmer and we were able to add a little variety and interest as Denise and I practised some elements in the field around cones that will be required for the RDA proficiency test to become an AB Whip.

Maggie and Charlie Brown were an absolute delight today, so willing and responsive to our commands, they were a joy to drive.

March 2007

The recent upgrade to the ramp & safety area in front of the chalet.

Work in progress.

This week started with a visit on Monday from the vet for an annual dental check for all the horses. Their ages range from 12 year old Marmite to 25 - 28 year old Charlie Brown.
They all needed their teeth to be rasped to smooth off any rough edges that have developed during the last year.

It is incredible how trusting and tolerant these horses are for a procedure that sets most people's teeth on edge! Very little restraint is needed, though they each did manage some remarkable contortions as they backed themselves into a corner of their box! With a gag to keep his mouth open I was invited to put my hand into Felix's mouth to check his teeth when the vet had finished.

Charlie Brown's teeth have lost most of the enamel and the front incisors are well worn, but the vet complimented Wally on the excellent condition of all the horses, especially Charlie Brown - a worthy testament to the way that Wally looks after these horses.

Once Marmite was finished having his teeth done Denise was able to take him into the yard to instruct two new volunteer helpers, Angela and Amanda, in preparing and harnessing him up to go out for exercise in the four wheeler cart.

We were dogged by more wet weather until Thursday when we managed to get Marmite and Maggie out in the carts. We are very limited in tracks to use due to the prevailing wet ground conditions.

On Friday the riding group managed to get some riding in the morning which was a blessing.
However, everyone was saddened to learn that Margaret Newell died peacefully in Poole Hospital that afternoon. Margaret will be sorely missed and our hearts and prayers go out to John and their family.