Charlie Brown Gets A Drive

Charlie Brown. Picture of health for a 31 year old!

Denise takes David for a drive with Charlie Brown between the shafts.

It has been noticeable recently that 'Charlie Brown' has appeared keen to work; so yesterday we gave him the chance, Jonnie and Denise being the lightest did the driving and I hovered arround checking on 'Charlie's wellbeing.

At any sign of stress the exercise would have ended. No signs of that though....... Charlie remained keen throughout, and enjoyed the opportunity...... Equal opportunities right across the board at EHDC no discrimination or prejudice anywhere insight!!

After a year off 'Charlie Brown' looks full of life and has cantered round his field with the others, so when the farrier came last time I had him shod, with this in mind. He is retired but the occasional drive will keep him interested, and he loved his afternoon drives today.

Wally Pitt (Group Organiser)

New Tracks

Recent improvements have been made to the roads and tracks that are welcomed by all regular users of Holton Lee facilities after years of negotiating the dreadful potholes on the mile long drive and the short road down to the stables from the Barn. The drive received excellent resurfacing with a good layer of tarmac on top a layer of road planings which should last a considerable number of years.

The short unmetalled stretch of road down to the stables has been resurfaced with a good layer of stone and now provides a smooth drive for both cars and the carriages. The ditches have been cleared and all looks very tidy.

On top of that maintence job, the contractors have created a gravel track in the woods behind the Camp field which will add another route adding to the variety for our carriage drives when the path has settled. We have had a long dry spell which makes it very difficult to compact adequately even using a heavy vibrating roller.

Holton Lee Summer Fair

Jo & Sue manned a table up by The Barn to provide information and direct folk to the stables.

Perfect weather was forecast, and perfect weather was delivered for Holton Lee's summer fair, an exercise to both raise money, but probably more importantly, a PR exercise to put Holton Lee permanently on the local map. Judging by the crowds and a lot of comments that came our way, it was a great success. For more about the event click HERE to go on the Holton Lee website for their report and list of raffle ticket winners.

There were all manner of stalls, competitions, go-carts, demonstrations, tours of the estate, and a great attraction was sponsoring a Teddybear for a parachute jump!! The Dorset Fire & Rescue Service extended a ladder on one of its vehicles to its full extent infront of The Barn and a member of the Fire Service dispatched brave Teddies that were hauled up to him in a basket, on a parachute to float gracefully down to earth!

There was a lot more going on that we were not able to see as we were busy down at the stables.

Our aim, that of the East Holton Driving Centre, was to hopefully attract the interest of some more willing volunteers to help out at the stables.

We ran some short carriage drives with Marmite in the morning, taking several families round in the 4-wheel waggonnette for two hours and, after lunch, we used Felix.

We had quite a lot of interest and felt that the day was very worthwhile.

I should remind interested parties to give Wally a call on 07790912770. We welcome all comers, whether you have a disability or not.