Chalet Safety Area.

Something just had to be done this year to the access to the HQ chalet for people who use wheelchairs that come driving. The old concrete has suffered a decade of heavy well-shod horses passing up and down a slightly too steep ramp for access in and out of the yard and the roots of the precious Ash tree had caused the concrete to lift and break up. In fact the ramp was decidedly dangerous for wheelchair users, besides being very hard work getting up & down to the chalet.

Here's a pictorial record of the various stages of the Mike Holland operation.

Enter Mike Holland, a local contractor, with two strong lads!

A major root from the Ash Tree that had caused the old concrete to lift had to be cut off in order to achieve the required slope of a minimum of 1:12 for wheelchair users. Fingers crossed the tree will survive - it provides useful shade on hot days.



At last the Ash tree is out in leaf - there's still life inspite of being minus a very large root. All the Ash trees around here were very late coming into leaf this year.
We receive high praise from all who visit now.
We like to offer everyone more than just a half hour carriage drive, so we actively encourage visitors to stay for drinks of tea or coffee, socialise and enjoy their visit to the Ash Tree Stables.

Family Drive Out.

It was a great thrill for me, now that I am a qualified AB Whip, to be able to take my 91 year old mother, accompanied by my sister, out for a drive with Marmite in the 4-wheeler to experience the delights of this little bit of paradise called Holton Lee!

Helping at the East Dorset Driving Centre offers all sorts of rewards, and this one was very special to me and my mother. Just being part of such a lovely group of people is rewarding in itself and being in a position to teach disabled people to drive is a real bonus.

Saturday Juniors

Jenny on Maggie

Alex on Felix

Felix & Maggie get a good wash and brush down after their exercise.

Hay-nets filled and soaked ready for evening feed.

Claudia cleaning the bridles.

Saturdays are devoted to teaching juniors basic horse care which involves pooh-picking the pasture, cleaning out stables, grooming, filling hay-nets and cleaning their tack. In return for this work they have the opportunity to have a bit of fun riding, or if they wish, to learn drive. These young people are the future of the group.
Alex, Becky, Claudia, and Jenny are four enthusiastic girls who came today and rode Felix & Maggie. The horses love this change from their routine - it adds interest to their week.
The girls start off in the dressage arena practising what they've learnt at outside riding schools and then take the horses out for a ride in the woods. Good fun for all!

Rain Stops Play!

The long run of summertime weather broke yesterday much to everyone's disappointment.
Most will agree that some rain is desperately needed to freshen up the near dormant pastures everywhere.

Today it was so encouraging for our group that, despite the damp skies and gloomy forecast of rain, twelve of our volunteer helpers turned out in high spirits to help with whatever needed doing.

The chalet was a buzz of cheerful chatter over cups of tea and coffee. Since there was no driving they all fell to selective chores with enthusiasm - cleaning carriages, filling haynets, checking over the escort bicycles and erecting electric fencing against the woods in the Mead to give the horses a fresh bite of grass.

Two New AB Whips

Wednesday this week was D-Day for two potential AB whips, Denise & myself.
Two SW area examiners for the RDA, accompanied by two trainee examiners/inspectors arrived at Ash Tree Stables in the afternoon and for 3 hours we were seriously grilled in everything to do with horse care, harness and harnessing up to the driving, accident procedures and much more.

However, the top class tuition that we have received from our Group Organiser, Wally Pitt, over the preceeding months stood us in good stead and we both qualified as AB whips to everyone's delight, not least our own!
At last, the 6 or 7 drives that we do each day for disabled drivers can be shared between three of us instead of Wally having to do all of them himself.

It was a weary but jubilant party that retired to the St Peter's Finger pub for a celebratory drink and a meal after we had cleared up and fed the horses their evening hay ration. Wally had done 6 drives before lunch!

It is a sad fact that there are only four RDA carriage driving centres in the whole of the SW area. It makes one realise just how very fortunate we are here to be a part of Holton Lee with the area to keep four horses on site and to have access to fields and tracks through woods and heathland. One could not wish for a better venue.

We do need more volunteers to share the wonderful experience of just helping out, making new friends or learning new skills in this bit of paradise in Dorset!