Ashley & Loggerheads What's On

	Brand Hall, Norton-in-Hales, Horse Trials Event on 5, 6, 7, June 2009
This is by way of advanced notice of the Brand Hall, Norton-in-Hales, Horse Trials Event on 5, 6, 7, June 2009, about which the parish council have been informed at the meeting of 6 May 2008. It is anticipated that around 1,000 people a day will attend this prestigious Event at Brand Hall on each of the three days in June and the organisers wish it to be something the village as a whole will participate in with stalls, games, children’s painting competition, sideshows, etc. British Eventing’s Janet Plant, her husband John, Mrs Lizzie Taylor from Brand Hall, my wife Cynthia and I met for an informal discussion over lunch at the Hinds Head last Friday and we were joined later by Neil Groom. It is our wish that as many organisations in our village participate (for their own funds) and with this in mind we are holding an information evening in the Hinds Head on Tuesday 10 March 2009 at 7.30pm. Janet Plant will make a presentation and answer any questions we may have. I am attaching the exchange of emails with Janet including the two articles referred to plus the picture in order that you may have a better idea of what is involved. The circulation list of this email is intended to include – Norton-in-Hales Parish Council. The Norton In-Bloom Committee. Norton-in-Hales Website. The Jubilee Hall Committee The Norton Cricket Club The Playing Fields Committee The Parish Plan Committee The Loggerheads Community News (we wish to publicise the Event in the wider community) Cynthia and I will contact village schools, the parish church and Mucklestone Women’s Institute personally, but I request that those of you who serve on a number of village committees will bring the event to the committee’s attention and encourage a representative to attend the meeting on 10 March. I hope you will give this your support and that it will be a great weekend for the village. Regards, Ron Lucas (Chairman Norton-in-Hales Parish Council) Tel/fax 01630 652956
Organisers Diary 1 What do you do when the devastating news that the horse trials that you have been involved with for over 10 years is about to be lost to the Horse Trials calendar for ever. This was the dilemma that came about when the Sansaw Estate had a change of farming policy, the dressage field that Janet Plant and her team had lovingly mown and cared for suddenly was under threat of invasion by organic pigs. For weeks before the event in June 2007 Janet worked away trying to overturn the decision only to be told that the pig arks were booked and the pigs would be in by the end of June. As the horse trials team loaded the final portables and machinery onto the lorry the pigs arrived. The pigs were very happy as this picture shows the scenen at the dressage field after just 2 days. Janet commented we can not stand in front of progress we have had some wonderful times at Sansaw, Robin Thompson and the Estate have been very supportive to work with but a new era has arrived and the Horse Trials must look for a new site. This was to be a painful experience numerous trips to look at land and talk to perspective land owners resulted in many sites failing at the last hurdle. One afternoon Julie Leppington who some of you will know through her Guild Rosette business telephone Janet to suggest that she contacted Lizzie Taylor at Brand Hall who had shown some interest. Never one to miss an opportunity Janet telephoned to make an appointment, 10th February 2008 started the long road of meetings negotiations and approval from both land owners and British Eventing. Brand Hall were very lucky that Janet’s cross country design experience had secured the Sponsorship for the 2009 National Pony Championships and that her full Weston Park team were happy to back the new venue. Brand Hall is a Georgian house set in Shropshire with some 200 acres of rolling parkland interspersed with small wooded areas. Michael and Lizzie Taylor have owned the property for about 12 years in that time they have embarked on a programme to reinstate the parkland. Many new Oak trees have been planted into the two magnificent Oak avenues across the park. High mixed hedging now surrounds the estate which although close to the village gives you a feeling of seclusion. The North Staffordshire Hounds meet during the season at the house this is the heart of their best hunting county and many hunt fences can be seen on the estate. Janet knows the land well she had lived close by at Woore for some 10 years during the 80’s producing young horses many of which had crossed the estate learning the skills required to make Advanced Event horses. Local interest in the Horse Trial is evident with many offers of help already coming in. Situated just on the out skirts of the village an evening is planned at the Village Hall to help spread a better understanding of Eventing and what the village can expect. It is hoped that the village will run an old fashioned village fete alongside the event, which will appeal to the whole family. The new cross country course is planned and the major ground works are already under way giving the site time to establish, eventually it has the scope for three water complexes. For 2009 work has started on a sunken road area crossing the disused railway line behind the house and the smaller of the water complexes the dew pond is nearly complete, the final earthworks for 2009 will be the ditch for the trakehner. To start off with most of the course will be portables but the undulating park land gives many design opportunities which I am sure Janet will in her normal bold fashion take advantage of. Brand Hall benefits from the organisation owning much of the equipment needed so the cross country course cost will be the only large outlay for 2009 with a three year agreement already signed this could be a real future star in British Eventings new venue diary. Brand Hall 5th – 7th June 2009 Intro, Novice and National Pony Championships.
Organisers Diary 2 Although 2009’s financial climate is not the time to start a new event Janet Plant organiser of the new event at Brand Hall, looks at her hopes and fears for Sponsorship during the coming season. By the time you read my diary the season will only be a few days away. At the beginning of 2008 when Brand Hall was just a dream, the credit crunch had not been heard of. 2009 has already seen our world turned upside down, jobs, factories and Banks have been lost. We move into the spring uncertain but determined that our fighting spirit and help from our supporters can carry us through. Sponsorship has always bridged the gap between the income from entries and the cost of producing an event. Organisers must deliver promises to Sponsors, our past reputation has only been possible with financial support. I was fortunate enough to have lunch with Roy Burek, Managing Director of Charles Owen & Company, who has been manufacturing safety products for equestrian athletes world-wide since 1911. Charles Owen has been long standing supporters of the British Pony team and the British Pony Championships which is the final trial to select the team for the European Pony Squad. The conversation turned to how events could help Sponsors in return for support this is an area with a very fine balance. I cannot tell you the feeling when just a few months later Roy Burek’s statement arrived: - “We are thrilled to continue our support of such a valuable partnership, it’s so important to give our future Olympians the experience of competing for their country at this level. We are proud to build long term relationships and we continue to work with and support many of these riders as they progress through the ranks”. Previous dual, Junior European Champion Laura Collett and current European Champion Emily Llewellyn are both part of the Charles Owen team. At this point I new Brand Hall had its first titled Sponsor, we were up and running. Over Christmas plans for Weston and Brand Hall courses were completed, budgeted and scheduled into the work plan. I have a wish list, a must have and would like to have, if Sponsorship is short some plans will go on hold. This will put pressure on our Course Builders who do a fantastic job, working at more than one event, balancing their work load, allowing for weather and still each course is ready year after year, a Jack of all trades no other tradesmen I know ever come in on time. Competitors looking for value can appear disappointed, so in 2009 some understand that events will struggle when few acquiring a full Sponsorship quota. Finances are only part of the equation, supporters and volunteers are the back bone of the event. Each and every competitor can help, life is demanding and time always short but even half a day would be welcome. Kendal Ruck the father of Gina Ruck European team Silver medallist, has always supported behind the scenes. When we were under pressure he sent 2 workmen for a day they cut birch and Christmas trees and knocked hundreds of white stakes in, Kendal has already offered his support at Brand Hall. North Staffordshire Hunt’s ex Chairmen, present and ex Masters have also pledged their support. This is a great start as all sides from Equestrianism will need to hold together in 2009. Photo attached Gina Ruck 2008 National Pony Champions receiving her prize from Lisa Gregory, Charles Owen UK Sales manager.

Brand Hall, Norton-in-Hales, Horse Trials Event on 5, 6, 7, June 2009

This is by way of advanced notice of the Brand Hall, Norton-in-Hales, Horse Trials Event on 5, 6, 7, June 2009, about which the parish council have been informed at the meeting of 6 May 2008. It is anticipated that around 1,000 people a day will attend this prestigious Event at Brand Hall on each of the three days in June and the organisers wish it to be something the village as a whole will participate in with stalls, games, children’s painting competition, sideshows, etc. British Eventing’s Janet Plant, her husband John, Mrs Lizzie Taylor from Brand Hall, my wife Cynthia and I met for an informal discussion over lunch at the Hinds Head last Friday and we were joined later by Neil Groom.

It is our wish that as many organisations in our village participate (for their own funds) and with this in mind we are holding an information evening in the Hinds Head on Tuesday 10 March 2009 at 7.30pm. Janet Plant will make a presentation and answer any questions we may have. I am attaching the exchange of emails with Janet including the two articles referred to plus the picture in order that you may have a better idea of what is involved.

The circulation list of this email is intended to include –

Norton-in-Hales Parish Council. The Norton In-Bloom Committee.

Norton-in-Hales Website. The Jubilee Hall Committee

The Norton Cricket Club The Playing Fields Committee

The Parish Plan Committee The Loggerheads Community News (we wish to publicise the Event in the wider community)

Cynthia and I will contact village schools, the parish church and Mucklestone Women’s Institute personally, but I request that those of you who serve on a number of village committees will bring the event to the committee’s attention and encourage a representative to attend the meeting on 10 March.

I hope you will give this your support and that it will be a great weekend for the village.

Regards,

Ron Lucas

(Chairman Norton-in-Hales Parish Council)

Tel/fax 01630 652956

Organisers Diary 1

What do you do when the devastating news that the horse trials that you have been involved with for over 10 years is about to be lost to the Horse Trials calendar for ever. This was the dilemma that came about when the Sansaw Estate had a change of farming policy, the dressage field that Janet Plant and her team had lovingly mown and cared for suddenly was under threat of invasion by organic pigs.

For weeks before the event in June 2007 Janet worked away trying to overturn the decision only to be told that the pig arks were booked and the pigs would be in by the end of June. As the horse trials team loaded the final portables and machinery onto the lorry the pigs arrived. The pigs were very happy as this picture shows the scenen at the dressage field after just 2 days. Janet commented we can not stand in front of progress we have had some wonderful times at Sansaw, Robin Thompson and the Estate have been very supportive to work with but a new era has arrived and the Horse Trials must look for a new site.

This was to be a painful experience numerous trips to look at land and talk to perspective land owners resulted in many sites failing at the last hurdle. One afternoon Julie Leppington who some of you will know through her Guild Rosette business telephone Janet to suggest that she contacted Lizzie Taylor at Brand Hall who had shown some interest. Never one to miss an opportunity Janet telephoned to make an appointment, 10th February 2008 started the long road of meetings negotiations and approval from both land owners and British Eventing. Brand Hall were very lucky that Janet’s cross country design experience had secured the Sponsorship for the 2009 National Pony Championships and that her full Weston Park team were happy to back the new venue.

Brand Hall is a Georgian house set in Shropshire with some 200 acres of rolling parkland interspersed with small wooded areas. Michael and Lizzie Taylor have owned the property for about 12 years in that time they have embarked on a programme to reinstate the parkland. Many new Oak trees have been planted into the two magnificent Oak avenues across the park. High mixed hedging now surrounds the estate which although close to the village gives you a feeling of seclusion. The North Staffordshire Hounds meet during the season at the house this is the heart of their best hunting county and many hunt fences can be seen on the estate. Janet knows the land

well she had lived close by at Woore for some 10 years during the 80’s producing young horses many of which had crossed the estate learning the skills required to make Advanced Event horses.

Local interest in the Horse Trial is evident with many offers of help already coming in. Situated just on the out skirts of the village an evening is planned at the Village Hall to help spread a better understanding of Eventing and what the village can expect. It is hoped that the village will run an old fashioned village fete alongside the event, which will appeal to the whole family.

The new cross country course is planned and the major ground works are already under way giving the site time to establish, eventually it has the scope for three water complexes. For 2009 work has started on a sunken road area crossing the disused railway line behind the house and the smaller of the water complexes the dew pond is nearly complete, the final earthworks for 2009 will be the ditch for the trakehner. To start off with most of the course will be portables but the undulating park land gives many design opportunities which I am sure Janet will in her normal bold fashion take advantage of. Brand Hall benefits from the organisation owning much of the equipment needed so the cross country course cost will be the only large outlay for 2009 with a three year agreement already signed this could be a real future star in British Eventings new venue diary.
Brand Hall 5th – 7th June 2009 Intro, Novice and National Pony Championships.

Organisers Diary 2

Although 2009’s financial climate is not the time to start a new event Janet Plant organiser of the new event at Brand Hall, looks at her hopes and fears for Sponsorship during the coming season.

By the time you read my diary the season will only be a few days away. At the beginning of 2008 when Brand Hall was just a dream, the credit crunch had not been heard of. 2009 has already seen our world turned upside down, jobs, factories and Banks have been lost. We move into the spring uncertain but determined that our fighting spirit and help from our supporters can carry us through.

Sponsorship has always bridged the gap between the income from entries and the cost of producing an event. Organisers must deliver promises to Sponsors, our past reputation has only been possible with financial support.

I was fortunate enough to have lunch with Roy Burek, Managing Director of Charles Owen & Company, who has been manufacturing safety products for equestrian athletes world-wide since 1911. Charles Owen has been long standing supporters of the British Pony team and the British Pony Championships which is the final trial to select the team for the European Pony Squad. The conversation turned to how events could help Sponsors in return for support this is an area with a very fine balance. I cannot tell you the feeling when just a few months later Roy Burek’s statement arrived: - “We are thrilled to continue our support of such a valuable partnership, it’s so important to give our future Olympians the experience of competing for their country at this level. We are proud to build long term relationships and we continue to work with and support many of these riders as they progress through the ranks”. Previous dual, Junior European Champion Laura Collett and current European Champion Emily Llewellyn are both part of the Charles Owen team. At this point I new Brand Hall had its first titled Sponsor, we were up and running.

Over Christmas plans for Weston and Brand Hall courses were completed, budgeted and scheduled into the work plan. I have a wish list, a must have and would like to have, if Sponsorship is short some plans will go on hold. This will put pressure on our Course Builders who do a fantastic job, working at more than one event, balancing their work load, allowing for weather and still each course is ready year after year, a Jack of all trades no other tradesmen I know ever come in on time.

Competitors looking for value can appear disappointed, so in 2009 some understand that events will struggle when few acquiring a full Sponsorship quota. Finances are only part of the equation, supporters and volunteers are the back bone of the event. Each and every competitor can help, life is demanding and time always short but even half a day would be welcome.

Kendal Ruck the father of Gina Ruck European team Silver medallist, has always supported behind the scenes. When we were under pressure he sent 2 workmen for a day they cut birch and Christmas trees and knocked hundreds of white stakes in, Kendal has already offered his support at Brand Hall. North Staffordshire Hunt’s ex Chairmen, present and ex Masters have also pledged their support. This is a great start as all sides from Equestrianism will need to hold together in 2009.

Photo attached
Gina Ruck 2008 National Pony Champions receiving her prize from Lisa Gregory, Charles Owen UK Sales manager.