2009 Show Special - British Driving Society

British Driving Society | Area News
LINCOLNSHIRE Cont.
BDS News | page 22
walking in from the car parks and then close to
the Fairground, so close to a thousand people
watching did not worry any of them. After a lap
of the ring we lined up for the start and waited
for the music. After a false start we completed
our routine and ended with the music. Then
Cathy Towle entered the ring
with her turnout and did a
circuit while David Faulkner
commentated on the carriage,
he did this for each of us and
then Carole Davenport led
us around the ring and out to
the collection ring while the
grooms collected donations for
the Lincolnshire & Notts Air
Ambulance. We raised £209.03
and we put Lincolnshire BDS
on the map. By the time we
got back to the box park it was
NORFOLK Website: www.norfolk.britishdrivingsociety.co.uk
AC Michael Cooke
Tel: 01493 302805 michael-a-cooke@hotmail.co.uk
OXFORDSHIRE
AC Peter Kyle
Tel: 01235 765810 peterkyle@tiscali.co.uk
SHROPSHIRE
AC Philip Holder
Tel: 01952 242495
philip@wellingtoncarriageco.co.uk
The Harness Horse Blessing took place on 3rd
of May, Helen James reports:
“The morning of the Horse Blessing dawned
and we were all pleased to see fine weather,
despite the strong breeze. The destination
this year was Adcote School, Little Ness;
just outside Baschurch. The school is in a
magnificent Victorian country house, designed
getting a bit crowded with lorries and trailers as
the Pony Clubs arrived for their show jumping
event.
With our display over we had the rest of the
day to relax and walk around the fair which
turned out to be much bigger
than we imagined. Certain female
members of the group went
The Faulkner family and groom Joss
Smith getting ready
AAC Ursula Dobrowolska Tel: 01939 250936
AAC Lester Dagge Tel: 01584 890882
in 1879 by the famous architect Norman Shaw
for Rebecca Darby, daughter of the Darby/
Wedgwood marriage. Most of the 12 turnouts
arrived in plenty of time but one or two did
get a little lost in the local lanes. There was
plenty of easy parking in the grounds and when
ready, we set ourselves in a semi-circle in the
shade of some trees. This seemed a good idea,
out several times on shopping expeditions,
apparently nothing was purchased they were
only carrying bags of freebies…..Hhmmm…
Our final booking of the season is the
Sandringham Game and Country Fair [Sept
12th & 13th] organised by Living Heritage,
not quite by Royal appointment but near
enough for us.
Waiting to go in the ring
AAC Yvonne Dobbie Tel: 01263 833719
Sunday 31st May. Lovely sunny morning and we were welcomed to
White Rails Farm, Great Melton. Six turnouts arrived and were ready
for a nice drive. We set off at 11am for a 6 to 7 mile drive around
the highways and byways of the Norfolk countryside. A nice steady
pace was maintained and traffic of all varieties was encountered and
dealt with without problems. On returning to the farm we all enjoyed
our picnic lunches in the glorious sunshine. After lunch I had set
up a small cone course for any of the members to try, including a
‘watersplash’. All took part and attempted the water, some more
successfully than others, but a good laugh was had and everyone
enjoyed themselves. Members did ask if we could go to White Rails
again and our host was gracious enough to say yes. I must thank our
host Mr R Richardson for allowing us to use his farm on the day.
At the time of going to print we should have had our drive in Thetford
Forest. This is to raise some money for the John Grant School for
children with special needs in Caister on Sea.
Dates
23rd August – Hempnall Drive
30th August – BDS Trec Forest Edge, Swaffham
20th September – Ashby Drive
21st November – Quiz Hempnall Mill Centre
All above contact Mike Cooke 01493 302805
Website: www.oxfordshire.britishdrivingsociety.co.uk
AAC Karen Harvey Tel: 01993 880445 kharvey@swets.com
Website: www.shropshire.britishdrivingsociety.co.uk
John Gibson (Rights of Way) Tel: 01952 691214
Philip Holder (Website) Tel: 01952 242495
until it was realised that the flies had also taken
to the shade. It was a bit too late to move as
the local Vicar, from Little Ness, was already
telling his story. Even the quietest of ponies,
Sally Marren, found standing still almost
impossible with all those flies (and only early
May) irritating pony and person alike! After
the blessing, the ponies set off on the option of
Photos by kind permission of Kathleen Faulkner