Introducing our new Sensory Garden

The official opening of our Sensory Garden at the Magpie Centre took place last week. The garden will be of particular benefit to Tea With a Pony participants, many of whom are living with dementia or sensory impairment.

Tea With a Pony mornings, which will re-commence in September, enable people, many of whom live in care homes, and their carers, to enjoy a social get-together, with tea and cakes, and meet some of our lovely ponies.

Thanks to the work of our loyal volunteers, the garden planting is almost complete, and the flowers and shrubs have taken well. However, to complete the Sensory Garden project, we need two hardwood tables, around which wheelchair users and their carers can be accommodated.

Also, Magpie Centre Yard Manager, Natalie Dade said: ‘Some of our yard equipment is coming to the end of its useful life, so we need to replace it.’ Items needed are: grooming kits, manure scoops, brooms, shavings forks and clipper blades.

‘Many of our ponies are cobs, with heavy coats,’ she explained, ‘so they need clipping regularly to keep them cool and comfortable in work. At up to £45 a pair for clipper blades, their maintenance does not come cheap,’ she added.

Donations, however large or small, will be gratefully received. For those who still have cheque books, cheques payable to WNRDA and sent to Magpie Centre, Wallington Hall, South Runcton, PE 33 0EP are welcome. Or, please call the Centre on 01553 810202 for (bank transfer) BACS details. Donations can also be made online via this JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jan-calvert