NEWSLETTER - January 2008
To All Friends and Supporters.
May I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Incredible to think another year has passed by so quickly.
We had many activities over the festive period. The main event being our much enjoyed Carol Service, which was attended by about 300 people. Reverend Peter Trendall conducted the service and the guest of honour was Chairman of the Council Caroline Pond. Eric Doig played on the electric piano and Jane Morgan and Colin Tribe played the guitar and traditional carols were sung. Many of the children who ride at Chigwell Riding Trust took part in the Nativity. What also made it extra special were that two ponies (Pinza and Poppet) joined the service. A stable was built in the corner of the indoor school and all the children made the journey that Mary and Joseph made following the star. The event finished with mulled wine and hot mince pies. A collection was taken at the door and an amazing £864 was raised. It was a fantastic afternoon, the children and ponies all behaved beautifully. It really brings home what Christmas is all about with no commercialism just peace, good will and certainly the generosity of everyone.
Many of us decided not to exchange Christmas cards this year but make a donation to the Trust instead. We had a fantastic result with £238 being raised and a further £141 by new sponsorship for the ponies again instead of cards. Our pony Poppet and a lot of volunteers, riders and parents helped raise £962 by braving the cold for two days standing outside Tescos in Barkingside. Well done to one and all and very many thanks.
Riders
I am sure all the riders are happy to be back in the saddle once again following the winter break. I know we could still have some cold spells ahead of us but I am heartened by the fact the evenings are getting lighter and it will not be too long before Snow Drops and Crocuses will be showing their heads. We have our two-day event to look forward to in May and I know the riders really love the challenge. I also hope that we can attend the occasional dressage competition locally, which is good for both horses and riders.
Volunteers
All you volunteers know how much I appreciate the time and effort that you put in. Chigwell Riding Trust could not continue with its valuable work if it were not for you. It does not matter in what capacity you help. It all makes the riding school the special place it is. If any of you can think of a new way of attracting more volunteers then please do not hesitate to come forward.
Ponies and Horses
All the horses and ponies had a good Christmas enjoying the extra carrots and apples that came their way! James joined us last August and is proving very popular. He came all the way from Somerset and settled in very quickly. We also acquired Jalea (pronounced Herlayer) on 5th January. She is an ex polo pony with the kindest of temperaments. She is 17 years old and is kindly on permanent loan from Mrs Mary Reynolds.
Unfortunately Flyte did not work out and has gone to another yard where he is doing faster work and appears to be very happy.
My staff continue their constant training programme and this helps to keep the horses happy, fit and obedient (most of the time!)
Fundraising
Fundraising is always on going. We will have our annual golf tournament, which will be held on Friday 15th May at Wanstead Golf Course. Open Day will be 6th July and once again we are going to have a Barn Dance, which will be on 5th September. I am sure that there will also be other events within the year.
Grange Farm
For those of you who attend the stables you will have seen the development of Grange Farm is well under way. The final number of houses to go on the core site of Grange Farm will be 32. The contractors seem to be very considerate and are doing all they can not to cause problems for us. There will be delays when they start putting in the midi roundabout at the top of the lane. There will be single file traffic lights for about 2 months, which is unavoidable, but with forward planning hopefully you will not be inconvenienced. The entire lane will eventually be resurfaced and hopefully have control ramps all the way down to us. The whole project will take about two and a half years.
Web site
Do look at our web site. Ken regularly changes it and it is a good source of information. Chigwell Riding Trust always seems to be the first to do most things and once again we are the first to have a forum. So do look and join. It is a great way of keeping in touch with everybody and it’s great fun at the same time.
Forthcoming events
Two Day Event - formerly Dressage Day. 10 & 11 May
Wanstead Golf Tournament. 16th May
Art Exhibition. 22nd June
Open Day. 6th July
Barn Dance. 5th September
Deborah Hall (Manager Chigwell Riding Trust)