A riding centre has received a £171,000 government cash boost to match fundraising efforts from its supporters and enable it to buy the property. Set in the spectacular surroundings of Holcombe Hill, the Margaret Haes Riding Centre stables 11 horses and ponies and supports around 160 riders every week, more than half of whom have a disability,
The centre secured the levelling up money from the Community Ownership Fund which ensures the much loved centre of its future. Trustees at the centre said the community fundraising and now the government grant had ‘acheived the impossible’.
They are also planning a new community room, accommodation and buy fields that surround the centre. Levelling Up minister Dehenna Davison visited to the Moor Road site to meet staff, volunteers and users and even took a 15 minute riding lesson around the paddock. which boasts stunning views across Bury, the Manchester and Salford skyline and Rossendale valley.#
The money is from a £6.7m package from the department to help institutions under threat of closure. Ms Davison said: “Coming to the Margaret Haes Riding Centre is a visit I’ve been really keen to do, the centre has benefited from £171,500 from the community ownership fund which is just one of the funds we’ve got in place through my department.
“This fund really is helping crucial local organisations save facilities that are really important to them, and around the country it’s helped a variety of places from pubs to community halls, but I think this is such a special place. I heard about the riding centre not long after first becoming a minister about four or five months ago and heard about the amazing work they do for the community here.
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“Not just people with disabilities who get the opportunity to come and ride, but for the whole community for mental wellbeing, even those with terminal illness, I’ve been hearing stories today about people which have on their bucket list to come and ride one last time and they’ve been given the opportunity to come and do that here.
“The fund is allowing the centre to secure the future of the site to actually purchase it so they’ve got it for the long term but to also do some refurbishment works as well, including a new community hall which will be a really vital asset for them and also opening up some accommodation so those who are visiting have got a place to stay. I think it’s really special and a really good example of government money going to the right things.”
Trustee at the riding centre, Debra Batchelor, said: “The response to our funding appeal from the community and wider, has been incredible, showing how much riding, or simply being with horses, at the riding centre has touched the lives of so many over the years. People wanted us to stay, to be there for them and other families, and future generations.
“This award of matching funds from the Community Ownership Fund means we can purchase the property. The impossible has now been achieved, thanks to the government’s support.
“The future is secure, and we can now unlock so many exciting opportunities to develop our facilities and experiences, and further benefit our community.”
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