"Mounted on Mr Jenkins (an ex police horse) and accompanied by his stablemates, we set out in fine style from Hildreth’s Garden Centre to All Saints Church, Prestwood. The church hall there is home to the Missenden area Childrens’ Centre. Some very young children plus Mums (and one Dad) were very excited to see four horsemen ride into the churchyard. Their squeals of delight turned to shyness when confronted by the disounted High sheriff in her funny hat. Clare Pritchard, the manager had set up a tent where lots of busy hands were glueing, moulding and building. Given the proximity of the Raoul Dahl Museum, Clare and I thought it would be appropriate for me to read a story. A task I took great pleasure in, although I think they all found watching the horses more exciting.
Despite the myriad of footpahs and lanes in this part of the world, bridleways and tracks are not very good at connecting with each other. We had a lot of help from friendly farmer and thus were able to ride along the Misbourne Valley on the South Bucks Way before ascending the steep, flinty hills to emerge at Mop End and the Amersham Field Centre. This is part of the Field Studies Council, a national organisation with centres dotted about the UK dedicated to teaching conservation and outdoor studies. Most of these Centres are based in rugged national parks Buckinghamshire is lucky to have one in Amersham. The centre has the use of 70 acres of woodland, wildflower meadows, ponds, two indoor classrooms and a beautifully constructed Yurt where we had a cup of tea! They run a fantastic variety of day courses and holiday camps for both primary and secondary schools, A Level scientific modules a speciality. This is bound to be a fun, educational day out - judging by what the children say, they love getting dirty!
A shortish ride through woods and the Shardeloes Equestrian grounds (for which many thanks to Shardeloes), brought us to MARES. An establishment set up to provide horse-based therapy for any number of dehabilitating conditions. They have a wonderful, spacious site on the edge of Amersham where they aim to make riding (western style), carriage driving, horse management and even vegetable growing part of a healing process. The atmosphere is very relaxed and many clients return to help as volunteers, so supportive is the concept and Sue Holland, who runs it. We lingered over tea and cake, watched two of the horses in action and thanks to the Mayor of Amersham I briefly held an Olympic torch on horseback!"
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