Autumn Reflections

The last two months have been a joy to everyone involved at the Ash Tree Stables thanks to the prolonged spell of good dry weather (not so good for the grazing area, but then we can’t have everything!). We’ve been feeding hay right through this summer except for a few short spells during the wetter times when there was a little more grass about.

The "Blackberry moult" is pretty well over now and it is time once more to stop deep grooming to allow the horses' coats to build for the winter, and time to up their hard feed ration to allow them to put on some extra condition too.

I would like to thank everyone for fantastic support that I’ve received as a very green new chairman of the EHDC. This support was particularly evident and very much appreciated in the one week’s well-deserved holiday that Wally and Denise had recently (first in 3 years!). The “team” kept a lot of the drives going, and we were able to include drives for five lovely people staying at the Barn sponsored by the Green Island Trust and one other lady staying in one of the cottages, due to a cancellation.

All in all, the joy and laughter in the yard and on the drives tells me that this is a very happy, fulfilling place to be! Long may it continue.

Wedding Drive At Holton Lee

Occasionally Marmite's services are required for a local wedding. Today the happy couple are having their wedding reception at Holton Lee and Marmite will collect the bride and groom some way up the private road and transport them the last half mile in the 4-wheel waggonette.

The first task is to shampoo the heavy feathers on Marmite's feet. Claudia , Becky and Jenny make an excellent job. He then gets a very thorough grooming with special attention from the girls to his mane and tail. He really looks very handsome and smart.

Wally attaches the traditional ribbons to the waggonette which has undergone a thorough cleaning for the occasion.

All dressed up and ready to go. Marmite, resplendant with plume, with Bradee at his head is now ready to leave the yard to go up the road to meet bride & groom.

A very happy bride steps up into her carriage while an equally happy groom waits his turn.

The happy couple on their way to the reception in the camping field with marquee.

The weather is perfect and the day offers the happy couple a fantastic start to married life - may God bless them.

It has been a busy day, but the enthusiastic help by our five junior helpers made light work of it all. A job well done and a generous donation all helps make our work worth while.

August Update

We've been pretty busy since the show. What with the fair weather giving us four driving days each week, we have had extra drives to do for members of the Green Island Trust who come to stay at the Barn each year in August and September.

By fitting them in with our regular drivers we managed ten and eleven drives for two of the days, using all four horses which means pretty slick teamwork by our trusty volunteers. Exhausting days, but so worthwhile for the fun and appreciation shown by all concerned.

Last week two potential AB Whips with their chairman, travelled up from Tavistock and spent two days to help us, and to observe how our group operates; also to get some driving tuition from Wally & Denise with two of our horses, Maggie and Charlie Brown.