Rachel Thompson MBERiding

Quiet corners helping to meet demand for riding

VOLUNTEERS at the Riding for the Disabled group in Wellow are taking part in a project to help fill the gap whilst Covid-19 prevents their usual activities from taking place.

Quiet Corners offer users the chance to spend time with ponies and learn grooming and other skills.

The Wellow group is using Anne Allen’s yard on the edge

Ed Bracher and Lucy Nelson during their visit to Kilkenny Stables Quiet Corners are providing a vital opportunity for RDA users to enjoy spending time with ponies and horses

of Bath for the sessions which are currently attended by people aged from four to 35, including a couple of wheelchair users. A recent session was visited by RDA chief executive Ed Bracher and Lucy Nelson, Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset.

Wellow RDA hopes its usual sessions will resume in June and is appealing for more volunteers to help out both at the Quiet Corners.

For details, call Anne on 07713 639125 or email: anneallen9@me.com

Expansion plans at riding school

DIVOKY Riding School at Downhead, near Shepton Mallet, is seeking to increase its staffing levels as well as its number of horses to cope with the current level of demand. As lockdown continues to ease, the team at Divoky, headed by Pat Divoky proprietor Pat Bishop Bishop, has seen a particular increase in families wanting to start lessons for very young children and also mature adults returning to riding. Some other schools have surrendered their licences in the wake of the pandemic and new legislation.

Pat said: “It is always tricky to find the right sort of horses that will cope with the demands of the work, but they have a very good home for life with us. We are very careful to make sure everything is right before they even start to work so new members of the horse team will see the vet, the dentist, the saddler, the loriner and have a full MOT before being schooled by our staff riders. This ensures the horses are used to working together and familiar with the surroundings.”

Pat said recent months had been challenging but added: “Running a riding school is demanding, the new licensing rules have put many proprietors off running this type of business but with the guidance and training we receive from the British Horse Society and with the support of a very understanding bank we have made it through the pandemic and we are looking forward to the future.”

An award-winning riding school in the heart of Mendip

WANTED We are looking to buy horses and ponies for the school. Must be fit and well and able to pass a vetting to work immediately. Aged over 5 years, no vices WANTED We are looking for a full-time groom. Ideally qualified to BHS level 2 willing to work towards level 3. Sunday-ursday (40hr week). CV: pat.divoky@gmail.com WANTED We are looking for a full-time instructor. BHS qualified coach level 2 (min), must have first aid, safeguarding and

DBS. Sunday - ursday (40hr week). *No accommodation so own transport is essential. CV: pat.divoky@gmail.com

Divoky Riding School, Manor Farm, Downhead, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4LG www.divoky.co.uk T: 01749 880233 • M: 07971 207037

Pedal power soars in pandemic

ONeof the unexpected effects of the pandemic has been a huge surge in the demand for new bicycles, with CYCLING with EDMUND demand outstripping supply. According to LODITE the national trade association for the UK cycle industry, sales grew by 60% in 2020.

In the same period electric bike (ebike) sales more than doubled and one pound in every five spent on bicycles was spent on e-bikes. That growth looks set to rise exponentially bringing the UK in line with many of our advanced european neighbours.

A few years ago, I hardly knew or saw that many people with an e-bike. But now they are more visible offering fresh opportunities for many people to enjoy the benefits of cycling.

I’d never tried an e-bike before yet, in existing or unused bicycle can be transmitted from the pedals. the last month I have had two chances converted easily and affordably into an Steve told me he had collected the to experience the benefit of pedal e-bike, by replacing the front wheel and bike and then cycled it home via the assisted power – and I have to say I was attaching components to the frame. Old Bristol Road out of wells, which is surprisingly impressed. As we chatted about the bike, Dave no mean feat. I thought it’s a great

The first happened by chance at a café kindly offered me the chance to take the example of how e-bikes can suddenly on a walk from Chewton Mendip. A bike for a spin. From the first few pedal open new opportunities and experiences. customer (I think his name was Dave) strokes the power assist kicked in giving when I popped round to look at his turned up to pick up some bread on a me a slightly faster experience than I bike my first impressions were of the Brompton foldaway bike. would normally expect on a bike. sleek styling and smart engineering.

I noticed the bike had been converted when I returned, he told me he and Steve let me have a quick ride on his into an e-bike by replacing the front his wife had moved from London where bike. It felt very stable due to the even wheel with a motorised one containing a they had used the Brompton bikes for distribution of weight and a lower hub motor. That and the battery pack on commuting and now needed some centre of gravity. Out on the road, the the handlebars came from a Swytch e- assistance to cope with the hills in the motor adapted responsively to the effort bike kit. west Country. The conversion kit had I put in and to be honest it felt like

This approach means almost any been a perfect solution, allowing them riding an unpowered bike, just a bit to continue cycling and had given their faster. bikes a second lease of life. It seems to me that the benefits of Steve, who was on that walk with me, riding an e-bike are that you can cycle then happened to take delivery of an e- further, it builds fitness, is cheaper than bike a couple of weeks later. having not running a car and means that hills and cycled since he was younger, he had the wind are no longer a problem. done his research and had opted for a You’re left to just enjoy the ride – and purpose-built electric bike (Scott). here if you happen to pass someone panting the technology works by using a motor out of breath on a hill climb, try not to in the bottom bracket to assist the power smile!

Rugby first

Chew Valley Rugby Club is attracting attention in the rugby world with a new scheme to help youngsters who are in need of support.

The STAR scheme aims to show how rugby clubs can help youngsters with mental health issues or other challenges through the support of a rugby “family”.

One youngster who has been mentored for six years, has been invited to join the Bristol Bears Academy. Full story P73.

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