2025 is going to be an exciting year as we celebrate our 70th Anniversary.
The History
Frank and Flora Welch bought Broadlands in 1946 on his discharge from the RAF. Initially, Frank’s aim in buying the estate was to get children of all nations to spend time together. To get underway it was run as a Guest House and provided guardianship and country holidays for children from overseas or whose parents were abroad. At this time the estate was overgrown with various wooden chalets as accommodation.
Flora was a keen equestrian and had great interest, particularly after the polio epidemic in the early 1950’s, in the role of riding as a form of rehabilitation. In 1955 she held her first group of riders from Woodlarks in Farnham, a care home and activity centre for people with a range of disabilities. They were the first group to ride regularly at Broadlands. At the same time Flora had set up a riding school which helped to fund the riding for the disabled and the student holidays.
Towards the end of the 1950’s a big storm blew the roof off the old wooden stables and Frank and Flora debated whether it was worth keeping the ponies. Their decision was to continue and the present stables were built with the covered school erected in 1963. There was no proper surface only sawdust and shavings from the stables until 1999 when a proper surface was put down.
In 1960, Suzanne, their daughter, was working in Bognor Regis as an assistant Matron. On her return she gained her BHSAI qualifications and began regularly teaching the disabled as well as able bodied children. She went on to receive the Torch Award for services to sport and the disabled.
In 1964 Broadlands became one of the original members of the Advisory Council of Riding for the Disabled, the forerunner of the RDA which was established in 1969.
In 1969 Broadlands teamed up with Florence Treloar School in Holybourne and students came regularly to ride and it was a huge success. This relationship has been maintained with students coming to ride and those who cannot ride visiting the ponies and enjoying wonderful relationships with them. We continue to welcome students from local schools both to ride and enjoy the calm, countryside environment.
Sadly in 1975, Flora Welch died and her daughter Suzanne took over the running of Broadlands and is still involved today.
Suzanne encouraged students from Treloar and Shepherds Down to compete in local shows and had a definite ‘can do’ attitude which was so important and encouraging.
In 1984, it was wonderful to welcome HRH Princess Anne to Broadlands. A helicopter landed in the Big Field. Those participating did a display and Princess Anne spent time chatting to them and presented each with rosettes.
The RDA then became a Federation of Groups and each Group had to register as a Charity in its own right with an independent Charity Number. Trustees were appointed with a more formal constitution and had to negotiate the demands of the Charities Commission. The set up is still the same today.
2002 saw a huge change for Broadlands when Suzanne decided to stop taking children for riding holidays and to close the Riding Centre. This meant that the Group would have to fund-raise to support the ponies for the Riding for the Disabled. Incredibly, thanks to local businesses, generous supporters and available grants Broadlands have been able to keep the centre operational. In 2006, we were able to install an hydraulic platform which has made mounting a pony much easier for riders with physical difficulties.
The most difficult time since then has been during the COVID epidemic when the Centre had to be closed for long periods but thanks to the determination and passion of the Trustees, Staff and supporters we were able to continue.
Today
As we move into 2025, Broadlands is one of the longest established Riding for the Disabled groups in the UK. We are dedicated to supporting the physical and emotional wellbeing of adults and children with a wide range of disabilities by using the horses and facilities at Broadlands. Our ponies are selected for their calm, caring nature and are exercised and trained for the work we do. Our RDA qualified coaches work at the pace to suit each rider, helping them to improve their lives through working with a pony.
We have extended our support from riding to now include equine therapy and hippo therapy for the under 5’s. Ponies enjoy building a bond with us, they help by lowering anxiety, gaining of confidence, improved happiness and creating a purpose to come and see them.
The Group currently has up to 60 participants weekly who come and enjoy being with the ponies along with 70 regular volunteers. Broadlands continues to go from strength to strength.
Our aim for our Anniversary Year, in addition to securing the £120,000 funding required to cover our normal annual operating costs, is to raise an additional £30,000 to purchase, equip and train three new ponies to RDA compliant standards.
We currently have 10 ponies. Two of our ponies are over 23 years old and, with the average retirement age for a pony being 25, we are mindful that we will need to add new ponies to our team and train them to RDA compliant standards.
If you think you could help us in this special year to raise the additional funds, we would be delighted to hear from you.
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