History

A brief history of Camsley Grange Riding for the Disabled Group

Camsley Grange Riding for the Disabled Group was established in about 1979 at Camsley Grange Farm in Lymm.  By owning its own ponies, the Group has been able to provide rides for special schools and colleges during the day, and also evening rides for adults, and special needs children in mainstream schools.

As a registered charity, the Group has relied on fund-raising and donations for the upkeep of the ponies, and is extremely grateful for the substantial local support it has received over the years.

July 2006 saw the end of an era, when Camsley Grange Riding for the Disabled Group held its last ride at the farm it had called home for the past 27 years. The changing agricultural climate and the need to diversify had finally resulted in the owners giving the Group a generous 12 months notice in November 2005.

The trustees were acutely aware of the demand and need for an riding facility for people with disabilities in the area and immediately started the search for a new home. This proved to be a long and far from straight-forward or easy task, before the group was finally offered the opportunity to start some trial rides at Milverton Farm in March 2008.

The trial rides were successful and the Group was made extremely welcome at Milverton Farm. Much hard work hard work has since been put in to work with both the national Riding for the Disabled Association and the local authorities to ensure that the necessary planning, licensing and accreditations are in place. Since then the Group has been working hard to re-build a volunteer base and to acquire and train suitable ponies. This work is ongoing, and in the future the Group also hopes to develop its available facilities and secure Milverton Farm as another long term venue.