Chorley pony club gets £3,000 new cabin to replace 'leaking and rotten' static caravan

A pony club now has a brand new clubhouse to replace its old static caravan which was “leaking and rotten and not fit for purpose.”

A Lancashire housebuilder’s workforce has donated their time to support Wheelton and District Pony Club by refurbishing, moving and installing a brand-new cabin as part of a near £3,000 project.

The club, based at The Red Cat Field in Wheelton near Chorley, sees its members take part in a variety of shows and events, such as regional championships and dressage. As a result, the club requires plenty of storage space on site for all its equipment and a facility to use during events.

The team at Barratt Homes, which is building nearby at Centurion Village in Leyland, spent time completely refurbishing, painting and installing a new cabin at the club grounds, as well as repainting all of its existing cabins to better suit a forestry theme.

Now in place, the cabin will be used during events held at the field, for dealing with entries and preparing and serving food. It is also used when the children attend training rallies, for doing workshops and eating their lunches and snacks. The Committee have already used it for holding one of their monthly meetings and will continue to do so.

Janet Berry, Fundraiser at Wheelton Pony Club, said: “The Clubhouse has been a long time coming and we cannot thank Barratt Homes enough. Nothing has been too much trouble for them. Our previous facility, a very old static caravan, was leaking and rotten and not fit for purpose. The Clubhouse has given the children a fantastic space, in which to spend time when attending Pony Club Events.”

Barratt Homes has regularly supported equine animals. including incorporating bridleways been implemented at Centurion Village to connect to a wider network in the county and keep horses and their riders safe. A subsequent donation of £1,500 was also made to the Ulnes Walton Bridleways Association (UWBA).

According to UCLA Health, working with animals offers a range of mental and physical health benefits. Petting an animal prompts the release of serotonin and can help relieve stress, it lowers anxiety levels and reduces loneliness, provides comfort and increases mental stimulation.

Rhys Nicholson, Managing Director at Barratt Homes Manchester, said: “It’s important for us to support local organisations that play such a valuable role within the community. Wheelton and District Pony Club provides fantastic opportunities for young people to develop new skills, build confidence and enjoy equestrian activities in a supportive environment.

“Through our commitment to supporting local causes, we were delighted to donate a cabin to Wheelton and District Pony Club and help to enhance its facilities for members, volunteers and visitors.”

For more information about the club and its events, visit the website at Wheelton and District Pony Club.