A delegation of Royal Arch Freemasons from Flowerden Chapter in the Province of Cumberland & Westmorland gathered this month to meet members of the Westmorland Riding for the Disabled Carriage Driving Group at the Westmorland Agricultural Society Showfield, Crooklands.
The Driving Group is part of the Riding for the Disabled Association (Westmorland Group) Charity, providing opportunities for people with disabilities, both young and old, to experience and learn how to carriage drive.
It’s an opportunity for all to experience a new sport, the beauty of the countryside and make new friends.
Earlier this year a cheque for £500 was presented to the RDA Westmorland Group by the companions of Flowerden Chapter and the meeting was the first opportunity for the respective membership, to meet one another and to gain an understanding about each other’s charitable works. It was also an opportunity to see first-hand the benefits of such donations and the excellent results achieved for its recipients and beneficiaries.
It was wonderful to watch the joy and excitement on the driver’s faces as they were being put through their paces under the watchful eye and guidance of the RDA carriage driving instructor Jenny Harris.
Trustee Shirley Martin said: “Thank you so much once again for your continued interest in and support of Westmorland Riding for the Disabled. We are delighted with the £500 donated by Flowerden Chapter to our Group. Such generosity makes so much difference.”
Josie Sanderson who is the Westmorland RDA Fundraising Officer went on to explain that the group was also in need of helpers, she said: “Westmorland Riding for the Disabled Carriage Driving group meet on Thursday mornings at the County Show Field, Crooklands, Kendal, throughout the year (with a break over the colder months). The group would welcome new helpers who are able to provide support at these sessions, which run from 9.30am to 12.00pm.
“Helpers do not need to have experience of carriage driving or be ‘horsey’ – there is a wide range of jobs to help with including setting up the driving course, welcoming drivers and their supporters, making tea, assisting drivers to safely get in and out of the carriage and small administrative tasks.
“The Westmorland RDA group also offers riding sessions for children with disabilities and special needs at Homescales Riding Centre, Old Hutton, Kendal, on Mondays from 12:45pm to 3:30pm during school term-time. Helpers are needed to assist children with physical and/or learning difficulties to ride for fun, achievement and therapy. Again, a wide range of skills are required to run these sessions so there is something for everyone and support from both those with and without experience around horses is very welcome.”
For information about volunteering at riding sessions please contact Marjorie Parsons at [email protected], Tel: 07960 606133.
To find out more about the activities of the Westmorland Riding for the Disabled Group visit the website http://westmorlandrda.org.uk/riding/
