Greatwood Winter 2012 Newsletter

News
Winter 2012
Newsletter kindly sponsored by Elite Racing Club
Inside this issue: Page 3 - Greatwood Charity Raceday Page 4,5 – Open Day
Page 6,7 –Rehomed Horses ‘Angels & Rogues’ Page 8,9 – Education Page 10- Team
Page 13- Winter Appeal Page 14 – Gifts for Christmas
Another Tricky Year
As if two consecutively bitterly cold winters weren’t
enough, the summer of 2012 was dreadful for
everyone too. In the end, we did lose our haylage; it
had been a particularly heavy crop and the incessant
rain finally took its toll, the grass fell flat on the
ground and that was that. We were very lucky in that
Richard Oram and his family, who farm the arable
land at Greatwood, managed to get their gear into
the fields to pick it up, so at least we didn’t have the
added burden as to what to do with tons of wet,
rotten grass. Many thanks to the Oram family!
On a much brighter note, our educational
programmes have gone from strength to strength
and in 2012, we have been able to help more and
more children and young people. Working with the
horses and small animals makes an incredible
difference to even the most troubled student, the
results are tangible and never cease to amaze us.
Funding has been slow but you have been particularly
wonderful in supporting us this year, especially in the
stupendous response we have received from our
recent annual raffle and winter appeal mailing.
Greatwood would not survive without you, thanks
to you, ex-racehorses, children, and young people
can truly flourish.
Greatwood – Changing Lives, Creating Futures
May we wish
you a Merry
Christmas and a
Happy New Year,
from Michael and
Helen and all at
Greatwood
CARING FOR RETIRED RACEHORSES & CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Rainscombe Hill Farm, Clench Common, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 4DT
T: 01672 514535 E: info@greatwoodcharity.org www.greatwoodcharity.org
Registered Charity no 1117322
www.greatwoodcharity.org
T: 01672 514535
The Greatwood Team
DATES FOR
Founder & Managing Director Helen Yeadon
helen.yeadon@greatwoodcharity.org
YOUR DIARY
Charity Administrator: Celia Jones
info@greatwoodcharity.org
Monday December 17th 2012
Greatwood Christmas Raffle Draw
Equine Welfare Manager: Becky Lyons
equine@greatwoodcharity.org
Saturday 2nd March 2013
Greatwood Charity Day at
Newbury Racecourse
Fundraising: Sasha Thorbeck-Hooper
fundraiser@greatwoodcharity.org
Education Team: Chris Parmenter, Laura Sumner
education@greatwoodcharity.org
Friday May 31st May 2013
Celebration of Greatwood’s 20 Years:
Grand Opening of Sensory Garden
Celebrity Football Match
Parade of Current and Rehomed Horses
Children’s Activities
Tel: 01672 514535
www.greatwoodcharity.org
Greatwood, Rainscombe Hill Farm,
Clench Common, Marlborough,
Wiltshire, SN8 4DT
Can you give a
collection tin a
good home?
Trustees
Alison Cocks
Jeremy Hummerstone
Richard Powell
Helen Yeadon
Michael Yeadon
Raise vital funds for
Our Patrons
Kim Bailey
Nigel Bunter
Mick Fitzgerald
Russell Field
Lesley Field
Nicky Henderson
The Hon. Harry Herbert
John Jarvis CVO CBE
Jodie Kidd
Rachel King
John McCririck
Jenny McCririck
Brian Stewart-Brown
Peter Walwyn
Lady Whent
Greatwood by
placing a collection
tin in your local
shop, pub or
business.
Please call Celia on
01672 514535 for your tin.
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Greatwood Charity Raceday - October 20th
driven finish. Our grateful thanks to the riders:
Douglas Taylor, Graham Brookhouse, Hayley
Wilson, Rodger Sargent, David Blithell, Tessa
Champion, Georgie Nicholls, Mark Caswell, Kate
Johnson and Kate Hills. We are also grateful to the
owners and trainers for allowing their horses to
run: VC Ward, Mr Grassick, Chris Wilson, Fergal
O’Brien, Mr Graham McPherson, Michael
Scudamore, Paul Nicholls, Martin Keighley, Richard
Phillips and Brendan Powell, MCR Bloodstock
Agents, Mrs T Macey, Julie Wilson, The Yes No
Wait Sorries, Mr Mark Jones, Simon Daniel and
Scudamore Training, Chris Giles and Potensis,
Nicholson Racing, The Adlestrop Club and Mr Les
Gilbert.
Cheltenham Racecourse and Sarah Oliver from the
Amateur Jockeys Association yet again came to the
aid of Greatwood by hosting and running our
charity race on Saturday October 20th. The
generosity of all involved cannot be expressed
enough. All at Cheltenham were typically
supportive by allowing this to go ahead and Sarah
worked like a whirlwind prior and during the day
to ensure that everyone had a good and exciting
time and came back safe and sound.
Also a big thank you to Hilary Brobyn who raised
£2,000 even though in the end her horse pulled up
lame and she couldn’t take part.
Many thanks to the Chairman, Robert WaleyCohen and Edward Gillespie, Christopher
Hodgson, Simon Claisse, Peter McNeil, Simon
McNeill, Andy Clifton, Victoria Bowen-Jones and
Charlie Parkin, the Medical Team and indeed
everyone who so kindly stayed on late to help with
Thanks to this immense support we raised a the race after a busy day.
magnificent £25,000.
It was an honour and a privilege to have a presence
The charity race itself was extremely exciting with on Edward Gillespie’s last day and we wish him
Mark Caswell on Sky Calling just pipping Georgie every happiness for the future.
Nicholls on Saint Roque to the post with a tight
Jubilee Woods Project: It’s a year to remember with
the London Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
And to help celebrate the Queen’s amazing feat, the
Woodland Trust have committed themselves to planting
over 1 million trees, creating many new forests for everyone to enjoy. And Greatwood are
extremely lucky to be able to be part of this. We have been fortunate enough to have 60 trees to
create our own copse on our land which we will be able to enjoy for many years to come. The
trees are a variety of Cherry, Birch, Rowan and Royal Oak. This Oak tree is extra special as it has
been grown from an acorn that has fallen from an oak tree in the grounds of a Royal House. It’s
nice to know that we are continuing the spread of native trees for everyone to enjoy. But with 60
trees to plant, many hands are needed to get them into the ground and established before the cold
hard winter months set in. And that’s where our students come in. With their skills, we will be
hard at work planting the trees over the next few weeks, ready for you all to enjoy in the summer.
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GREATWOOD OPEN YARD
Our second attempt at running the Open Yard for our Friends was a success, the sun
shone all day.
We were very happy to welcome many friendly faces back to Greatwood and although
it is always a low key day, we hope that it was enjoyable.
We ran ferret racing on the front
lawn, and we had a static display
of Wings & Talons. Our new
Shetlands, Katie and Jessica,
(following a few days of
rehearsal) were allowed to
parade with the three Amigos:
Poncho, Aaron and Toyboy. All
five ponies behaved admirably
and Chris Vine judged the best
turned out. This was awarded
to Poncho and Eloise.
Deano's refusing to go out of school
Deano’s Beeno & Robbie led the
parade of racehorses, closely
followed by Paul Cass and Gary,
Montendre was led up by Amy,
Helen took charge of Mister
Trickster, Angela led up
Malapropism and finally Tracy,
who looked after Pennybridge
before he came to Greatwood,
was proud to parade him in his
new home.
Ferret not racing
the parades prior to an event.
Deano’s loves to parade. At one
rehearsal, he was tacked up
ready to go, the heavens opened
and it was mooted to give it a
miss. Robbie told us that it
would have to go ahead because
Deano’s had his ‘game face’ on
and we would never hear the
end of it, by this time, Deano’s
was running around his box like
a mad thing and pulling all sorts
Mister Trickster, did not live up
to his name and behaved
beautifully, Deano’s Beeno’s
behaviour lived up to his
reputation. We always rehearse
Poncho & Eloise wins best
turned out
Wings & Talons
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GREATWOOD OPEN YARD
of faces. Once Deano’s is in an
arena, he struts his signature
walk and looks disdainfully at his
admiring spectators, he still
knows he is a star.
Celia’s parents, frightening them
to death, and they’re not even
horse lovers. If Blue had left Tom
to parade matter would have
been even worse so Tom spoilt
it for everybody, not least Helen
We were hoping to parade who had spent ages doing Blue’s
I’msingingtheblues (Blue), but A hair and make-up.
Few Kind Words, (Tom), threw
his toys out of the box to such On the Open Day, he was
an extent that he kicked the enjoying parading to such an
bottom bolt straight off the extent that he refused to come
bottom of his stable door which out of the arena and poor old
then whizzed past the ears of Robbie had to do several circuits
Mister Trickster and Helen
with him until he was ready to
leave the arena.
Jon Baron took up the
microphone as a last minute
emergency; Michael Yeadon was
suddenly taken ill and had to be
taken to hospital, I went with
him and left the team to it. It’s
the first time we have missed
our Open Day but it went like a
dream, all thanks to the
wonderful people we have at
Greatwood.
Malapropism and Angela
Chris Vine judging best turned out
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Angels and Rogues
We’ve got him working well in his
trot now but we’re still working on
his canter, he’s a little stiff on the
right rein so finds it very hard work.
He’ll start moaning & groaning then
he’ll just pop in a buck or two, he
always thinks he can’t do it but as
soon as you reassure him that he
can he just gets on with it.
My instructor is very pleased with
him, 3wks in a row now she’s said
that it’s the best he’s done yet. She
said the other week that when she
Hiya, just thought id send you this first saw him she thought he would
pic, Aggy was a superstar at the never be able to get to the standard
Nepal Charity Dressage show he’s at now (I’m glad she didn’t tell
yesterday, he came second in both me that at the time!) Dad & I love
Novice and Elementary and received watching him on a Sunday morning
a lovely sash, rosette and medal and in the school going through his
behaved amazingly for the photo paces, he looks so beautiful when
shoot.
he’s working (except when he goes
Merrist wood have asked if they can sideways & bucks that is!) My
use the video I posted on Facebook instructor works with him first for
20-30mins & then I get on. I really
on their website.
He's such a little superstar, doesn't look forward to the lesson’s & even
he look fabulous, I know I have a though he gets worked quite hard I
biased opinion. My dressage coach think Willi does too’.
was well pleased.
AGITANDO
Ciao for now Love Sue
thank god i did......... she looked like
she was a wild 3 year old not a 15
year old!!! Anyway we had a lovely
hack (she is like sitting in my old
favorite arm chair!) I promise to take
more and forward them to you.
Hope you are all well.
Ed, Wendy and the girls xxx
FAIRFAX FLICKER
ROSIE
WILLHEGO
Gay writes to us with news
about Willhego:
‘I’ve just got some new pictures of
“His lordship” & I thought you might
like to see them. The previous one’s
I sent you were taken Oct beginning Dec 2011 these are from
this month.
Hi Helen
I had the camera on me and
managed to capture her yawning
whilst waiting for grass. (she is still
in her fat camp, with she went for a
little hack the other day, luckily i
lunged her beforehand as she hadnt
been sat on since last august, and
6
Hi - here are a few pictures of Flick.
They were taken in July at a BD
training event. She was a superstar
on the day - but I didn't really expect
anything else from her. I have taken
her out to a couple of dressage
events since then and got marks in
the high 60's on both occasions. The
judges seem to love her and I get
great comments - apparently she is
a" lovely horse with bags of
potential" - which of course I know
already, but it is nice to hear it from
a dressage judge!
Lesley
www.greatwoodcharity.org
ZABARI
T: 01672 514535
HARRIET
DEVINE COMMAND
STRONG VISION
Hi Helen
More pictures! This one is from
camp 2 weeks ago, think he looks
gorgeous.
THAT MAN CARTER
MERRYMADCAP
ISLE
MISTRESS
ARRIVAL
POLLY
You asked for an amusing story,
went to feed the boys supper one
evening and Nipper comes over
'wearing' some decorative foliage
on his ear. He was looking pretty
sheepish, had obviously been
sticking his head over the fence
where he shouldn't.
Ken
7
ON
WITH
MISTRESS POLLY
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EDUCATION at
As the days are getting shorter, our programmes are getting busier. With the introduction of 2 new full day courses,
each lasting for 36 weeks, our timetable is jam packed with students attending 5 days a week. These new courses
have enabled students from Year 8-11, the opportunity to learn about our ancient woodlands, our animals and
have a go at producing their own vegetables. We will keep you posted on how well the vegetables go, and you may
never know, perhaps you will be able to purchase some of their produce next summer.
PAST STUDENTS: As part of
our service to students, we always
follow up on their progress once
they have left Greatwood, and we
are pleased to announce that we
have some good news to share.
From last year’s KS4 cohorts, all
have gone on to further education,
gained a job or have returned to
Greatwood on the Progression
course. And from the Princes
Trust ‘Get Going’ course which
ran in July, 1 student is now
working hard at the Northern
Racing College training to become
a jockey and another has signed
onto a local college course. So
huge congratulations to all of our
students for persevering and
working hard to get to where you
are today. Well done!
RECENT SUCCESSES: Not
only do we have to recognise the
hard work and achievements of
past students, but also our current
cohort who are finding that the
Greatwood
educational
programmes are really making a
difference to their lives and
education. We have seen several
students complete our Horse
Power and 10 week OCN
courses, and then continue with us
on full day programmes, working
with other students that will help
with their confidence and team
working skills in a familiar and safe
environment.
numbers increase and lots of
familiar faces returning.
And since the start of September,
we have had feedback from one
school that has informed us that
one of their students that attends
Greatwood has now been able to
re-integrate into Maths and
English at school as a result of
feeling more cared for and
wanted. A huge step forward for
them, well done!
So what’s next for us as we
continue on through the winter
months? Well, a bit more learning,
a little more hard work and a lot
more fun and success for all.
HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS:
Do you have young children or
know friends that do? Then
perhaps you’ll be interested in
sending
them
along
to
Greatwood’s successful holiday
workshops. These have proved a
huge hit with many local children
since Easter and with each passing
school holiday; we are seeing
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This October Half Term saw the
children mucking out our animals,
grooming the horses and
venturing into the woods where
they played many games and had
lots of laughs. It was great to see
them all enjoy their experience
with us and make lots of new
friends. Despite the chill in the air,
everyone had fun and the animals
certainly enjoyed the extra
attention for the week.
More holiday workshops are
planned for the festive period and
of course in February’s Half term
too. So make sure you keep an
eye out on the website for details
and keep spreading the word- you
would hate to miss out on all the
fun.
NEW
ADDITION:
The
education department would like
to welcome a new addition to the
team, Laura Sumner. Laura will
join Greatwood this winter to help
deliver
the
educational
programmes to our students
alongside our existing team. She
will be a welcome addition to the
team and we are very much
looking forward to Laura starting.
Laura’s ever smiling face,
approachable demeanour and outgoing personality will mean that
she will fit in well. It is important
www.greatwoodcharity.org
that the students can relate to our
staff so Laura will be a big hit. She
will be excellent at engaging them
and bringing out their best whilst
at Greatwood, enabling them to
reach their full potential.
T: 01672 514535
on opening up their future
options.
We were lucky enough to take the
students to Brian Meehans yard at
Manton and have a guided tour. It
was amazing to see the look on
PRINCES TRUST: In our drive the student’s faces when they saw
to help Post 16 students, we run a the scale of the yard and watching
week long course in conjunction the horse gallop past during their
with the Princes Trust each year morning training. This opportunity
called ‘Get Started with Horses’. certainly left a lasting impression
This course enables the students on the students as well as the staff
the chance to gain an Entry Level that accompanied them.
2 Award in Assisting with Basic
Care of Horses that is accredited The students all had a tough and
by BHEST through the Northern challenging week, but we are
Racing College. Many of these pleased to announce that they all
students are disengaged, out of passed the course with flying
work or have been in trouble with colours. Many had never set foot
the law and therefore are finding on a working equestrian yard let
it difficult to gain any work to help alone stroked a horse, so a big
them further their career. All of well done to them all for
the students that we see overcoming fears and showing
voluntarily sign up to complete the true determination in order to
week, showing us that they are complete the course.
fully committed to changing their
current situation and are focussed Due to the success of the Princes
Trust course, Greatwood are
running a further 4 weeks next
year in conjunction with the
Learning Curve, who will help us
to reach even more young adults
and try to help them on their
chosen career path with the
support and guidance that many of
them need.
LETTER FROM RICHARD PITMAN
LETTER FROM PRINCES TRUST
July 24th 2012
Dear Helen,
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for your
efforts last week in making Get Started with Horses a truly
beneficial and inspirational course. The young people left
Greatwood last week full of hope and a sense of achievement
thanks to everything that you did for them. We received such
a warm welcome from the very beginning and you could not
have done enough for us. You were always there with a ready
smile and a wonderfully positive attitude to help our young
people feel valued, cared for and respected. Your efforts and
attitude instilled in them a sense that they belonged and most
importantly, could achieve anything that they put their minds
to. I am very grateful for all your hard work in making this
course one of the best in my opinion, that The Prince’s Trust
has to offer young people who are faced with barriers that
stand in the way of them leading fulfilling lives.
My sincerest thanks to you all (including Al, Po, Seek and Lee).
Warm regards, Marguerite
Marguerite Doherty
Princes Trust, Get Into/Get Started Programme Executive
It was indeed my pleasure to join you and see
what good work you all do there. I have of
course known all about Greatwood but had
never been up close and personal before.
Besides the well being of your equines the joy
you have given to those children is inspiring. I
had a good time chatting to children, helpers
and the odd parent afterwards and one girl in
particular showed exactly how you and the
animals can totally change a life around. Sadly
I forget her name but her mother asked me to
have a photo with her and while we chatted the
daughter told me she went for many years
refusing to talk to anybody until you unlocked
the shutters that had caused her to choose
silence. We were able to chat and laugh
together and it humbled me.
Richard Pitman
BBC Broadcaster & Author
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New Team Events for Greatwood
HORSELESS PEOPLE CHASES
BARBURY
Organised by the Marlborough and District Rotary Club, the
first Horseless People Chase took place by kind permission
of Nigel Bunter on Sunday 30th September. The races were
over two and half miles and five miles respectively with half
the entry fee being donated to Greatwood.
Greatwood enjoyed this opportunity to increase awareness
of the Charity with an exhibition stand. Most impressively two
of our brave members of staff, Becky Lyons and Angela Ray
ran the two and half mile course. Those who are familiar with
the Barbury cross country course, will know just what a
challenge this is, with the steep hills and testing fences to
scramble over.
BADMINTON
Barbury was just a warm up - the following week was the Badminton Horseless Team Event organised
by the Cotswold Rotary Club. Greatwood entered a team of thirteen comprising of staff and volunteers,
along with three Greatwood dogs. This involved
walking or running a course through the beautiful
Badminton estate over five, nine or thirteen miles.
As a sponsored event Greatwood set a fund
raising target of £1,000, the result
was
tremendous, surpassing all expectations with
over £2,100 raised in sponsorship, thank you so
much to all those who gave their support.
Both these events are now a permanent fixture in
our diary, the Greatwood walkers and runners are
fired up and will be back in training next year,
rising to the challenge of running further with the
aim of increasing awareness and most importantly
fund raising for Greatwood.
Thank You!
Some of you may not be aware that John and Jenny
McCririck have done a huge amount to support
our work at Greatwood; John’s appearance in ‘Big
Brother’ raised a tremendous £20,000 for us, and
Jenny works tirelessly behind the scenes to raise
awareness of Greatwood and helps us enormously
with our Newbury Raceday. As is the case with so
many of us, 2012 hasn’t been a great year for them.
We would like to express our support and
gratitude for their continued endeavours on behalf
of Greatwood and wish them all the best for 2013.
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11
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WINTER APPEAL
Christmas Cards
for Sale
Donkey in snow
Help us to overwinter our equine charges, Mister
Trickster and all his friends require a snug winter
straw bed with daily feeds.
Adoration
Owing to the appalling wet summer we lost our
haylage this year, thankfully we saved a load from
last year to cater for 2012.
Now we are preparing for the Winter of 2012
with more inclement weather approaching and
the fields no longer viable for the 48 horses here
at Greatwood, it is time for them to come in.
£3.25 per pack of 10
£2.95 per pack of 10
Garden Geese
Three Robins
Please help us with the basic winter costs of
stabling each Greatwood horse whether they are
here to be retrained for a new career, participate
in our Horse Power Programme assisting our
young persons with Special Educational Needs or
they simply have a place in our sanctuary.
One aspect is universal to all our Horses –
They all deserve to be well fed, warm and
comfortable.
How can you help? We are looking for donations
to cover basic bedding and hard feed through the
winter months:
£2.95 per pack of 10
£3.25 per
pack of 10
Straw £125 per horse x 48 horses = £6,000
Feed £192 per horse x 48 horses = £9,216
If you would like to order these Christmas Cards,
please telephone the office on 01672 514535
Please help us to reach
our target of £15,216
WILLING TO GIVE
Sometimes it just isn’t possible to give as much as you would like during your lifetime to help Greatwood, but leaving
a legacy through your Will makes it possible for you to support Greatwood for generations to come - as an enduring
memorial.
Making a Will: People usually make their will at particular milestones in their life, for example when they marry,
have children or retire but it is very easy to add a simple codicil to your Will at any time to make a lasting gift to
Greatwood. You can pledge a fixed amount, a proportion of your estate or indeed a special gift.
Tax Advantages: Giving to Greatwood through your Will in this way has tax advantages for your estate too ask your Accountant!
What to do Next: To include Greatwood in your Will requires special wording therefore we advise you to talk
to a Solicitor who will know about prevailing legislative requirements.
What will happen to your legacy: Every penny that we come by is gratefully received and used entirely to
the benefit of the children and young people with special educational needs and the ex-racehorses at Greatwood.
So please think about what a difference you can make to Greatwood in the future, speak to your Solicitor and
make your pledge.
Make a gift of the residue of your estate. After making provision for your family and friends, you can leave
the remainder or a proportions of your estate to Greatwood
Ask for family flowers only and donations to Greatwood
Many people request that at their funeral they would like family flowers only; mourners can be asked to make
a cash donation to your favourite charity.
Thank you for your support.
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