Magpie Eggstravaganza is a Hit!

An Easter holiday programme, piloted at the Magpie Centre, home of West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled, has proved a great success.

Seven groups of four participants, aged from five upwards, enjoyed Easter Egg hunts, held throughout the school holidays.

Starting with grooming ‘their’ ponies, the ‘hunters’ enjoyed a leisurely hack through the woodland tracks of Wallington Hall, following clues and collecting token Easter eggs.

This was followed by a craft session with an Easter theme, and finally, the token eggs were exchanged for larger eggs for the riders to take home.

The event was organised by Magpie Centre volunteer Abbie Stirling, who said: ‘Everyone who came along said they’d had a fantastic time, so we shall definitely do it again – and who knows what we can dream up for Christmas?’

A huge vote of thanks must go to Simon Rowe of Radio West Norfolk, who gave 28 eggs from the Easter Egg Appeal, and to all those individuals and businesses throughout West Norfolk, who generously donated eggs.

Dates for your diary:

Wednesdays from April through October: Tea With a Pony 11.00 am – 12 noon at Magpie Centre, Wallington Hall, PE33 0EP. An opportunity to have tea, cakes, a social chat and meet one of our gentle ponies in the wheelchair-accessible Sensory Garden (or in the marquee in bad weather). £5 per person. Booking essential. Call 01553 810202 during office hours.

Saturday June 3: Craft Fair and Have a Go Dog Agility 10.00 am – 4.00 pm at Wallington Hall, South Runcton, (on A10) PE33 0EP. Stalls, under cover in Indoor School, £10 per 3m space. To book, call 07715 467866 or email magpieccfcraft@outlook.com. Visitors: £2 entry; under 16’s free. Free parking. Refreshments available all day. Dog Agility £2. Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome. No dogs to be left in cars.

Saturday June 10: Bingo evening at Stowbridge Village Hall, Downham Road, Stowbridge PE34 3PE. Doors open 6.30 for Eyes Down 7.00 pm. Light refreshments available. For more details see Magpie Centre Facebook page. Proceeds to West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled Assn.

Sunday June 11: Sponsored ride around Wallington Hall Estate. Rides of varying lengths, including a short route for lead-rein riders. No road work. For more details visit Hoofbeats Facebook page.