ACTIVE
Saddle p for success With more and more people taking up horse riding, one local school has reopened its state-of-the-art equestrian facilities so pupils can get the horsey habit early on
Welsh junior international showjumper Ruth Hogan, from Trefnant, has four children at the school, including Thomas in Year 12 who has followed in his mother’s tracks to represent Wales – and daughter Sophia, 11, wil join them in September. “The school was very keen to bring the facilities here back into use and it was also important to us as a family,” Ruth says. “We’re delighted with the results and Myddelton now has some of the finest facilities in north for riding and competing in equestrian “The equestrian Wales events. We already have a showjumping team centre was here at the school and hope soon to have dressage and eventing teams as well.” originally
opened by Anne”
Princess school in Denbigh has made caring for horses part of the syllabus to keep its horse-mad pupils keen. Pupils at Myddelton College can now bring their ponies with them, thanks to the reopening of its equestrian centre following a £30,000 renovation, which comes 15 years after Olympic eventing gold medallist Princess Anne opened the facilities. Myddelton College’s 37 acres of grounds already have extensive sporting facilities including tennis and squash courts, a gym and a climbing wall as well as cricket, football and rugby pitches, which are also used by local clubs. Parent and former
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A stable education
The equestrian centre has stabling for up to 10 horses and ponies, two 20ft by 40ft all-weather arenas, a 10-acre field and easy access to a network of bridle paths in the surrounding Vale of Clwyd. The school can also organise specialist training for riding for all levels of abilities, including taster sessions for novice riders. “The centre has now been restored and we’re very pleased with the new facilities, which mean pupils can even stable their ponies and horses here,” says headmaster Andrew Allman. “While there is currently accommodation for 10, there is also room for expansion.”
Wild good Chase
training solders for the trenches of the First World War, and there is a German war cemetery in nearby Brocton as well as the National Memorial Arboretum at Lichfield. Visitor centres are a good place to start any walk, as they provide ample parking and information. Birches Valley Our resident rambler Forest Centre (WS15 2UQ) is no exception, and the centre Clive Williams explores at Marquis Drive (WS12 4PW) offers alternative routes. Staffordshire’s magical and For a more peaceful approach and walk on the vast heathland, try Glacial Boulder car park (WS15 2UA). There mysterious Cannock Chase are lots of paths to explore here, annock Chase is fantastic somewhere I wanted “The area to visit ever since seeing views and an item about it on plenty of played a big BBC’s Countryfile in wildlife, role in training including a 1989. Having access soldiers for the large herd to so many walks in my own backyard First World War” of fallow of Wales meant deer. Local I didn’t get round to visiting landmarks to look out for include there until recently, but I’m glad I finally did! the 96m tall Pye Green Known locally as “The Chase”, Cannock Chase is a large expanse of upland heathland, forest BT tower, which during the Cold War was part of and woodland in Staffordshire, with a sandstone a secret communication plateau covering 63 per cent and the rest being farmland. It covers 26 square miles in total, making it the smallest network for use during Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the UK. a nuclear war. Will you spot Big foot – or a UFO The Chase is shrouded in mysteries, including UFO – while exploring Cannock Chase? sightings and even spottings of Bigfoot. There is also a For further details, visit strong military connection – the area played a big part in www.cannock-chase.co.uk
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September/October 2021 | SHIRE MAGAZINE 97
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27/08/2021 08:41
