|

MPs visits Barnsley's Riding for the Disabled Centre

MPs visits Barnsley's Riding for the Disabled Centre

24 September 2008

Local MPs, Eric Illsley and Michael Clapham, recently met staff and riders at the Riding for the Disabled Centre at Oakwell Stables on Pontefract Rd. The stables, which has just received a grant of over £8,000 from the Coalfield Regeneration Trust, is to use the grant to increase its popular Riding for the Disabled service.

Currently, some 80 disabled people, adults and children, both mentally and/or physically handicapped have riding lessons at Barnsley RDA at Oakwell Stables. The new funding will mean that the centre will be able to employ an additional instructor so that even more people in the area can enjoy riding either in a carefully planned lesson or riding out into the Oaks Park, part of the relandscaped site of the old Barnsley Main Colliery.

The MPs were given a tour of the premises which included the stables and the centre's outdoor riding arena. However, the centre plans to build on the expansion funded by Coalfield Regeneration Trust and is hoping to raise enough money to build an indoor riding arena so that in future they will be able offer more lessons regardless of the weather.

Mr Illsley and Mr. Clapham commented:

"This is a fantastic facility where disabled and able bodied people can mix in an enjoyable, relaxed atmosphere. Disabled riders and their families can spend a whole day here providing many with a welcome break from their daily routine. Riding is a great recreational activity and I am delighted that the Coalfield Regeneration Trust is so generously supporting the centre's bid to make even greater provision for local young people with disabilities."