Albert loses L-plates!

Albert joined the Group in October, replacing Bomber. Although he has been a driving pony all his life, he needed to learn some new skills to be suitable for our members. After lots of hard work over the winter from both Albert and our volunteers he passed the RDA assessment in February and is now a full member of the team.

Christmas Lunch - 5 December 2011

The Christmas lunch at the York Club was a great success with 40 people attending.

We had the usual magnificent spread with all the traditional Christmas favourites followed by a selection of delicious desserts.

This year's lunch was extra special as we were joined by two RDA guests - Anne Coney, the South Region Chairman and Mary Iliffe, the Berkshire County Chairman. Mary presented John Rackham with a 25 year service award and Pat Waller with a 35 year service award.

Mary presented Brigid Hamill with a 35 year service award and the 'Over and Above' award. Anne then presented Brigid Hamill with the Susan Dudley-Smith award. This award recognises the effort, service and self-sacrifice that people make in order to help others and highlights the achievements and efforts of volunteers involved in RDA Carriage Driving. It is very well deserved by Brigid for her contribution to the group over many years.

More photos in the Photo Gallery.

Donations

The Group has recently received two very generous donations for which we are very grateful.

Sunningdale Savoy Chorus presented Roy Smith, our secretary, with a giant cheque for £750 at their Gala Year concert in October 2011.

We also received £2,000 from Ascot Round Table.

These donations will be put to very good use, particularly as we have had to buy a new pony to replace Bomber and the cost of feed and everything else keeps going up.

Bomber

Bomber, aged 26, has been a wonderful driving pony with our Group for the past 18 years and has remained in remarkably good health for nearly all those years. He was very kindly given to us, all those years ago, by Mr. and Mrs. Blundell.

He has never let the Group down and has been driven by many of our disabled members for all those 18 years, and in the early days he was the only pony our then Instructor, Major Tommy Thompson would drive. It is only in the last three weeks that he has gone downhill rapidly and after our vet of many years came to see him, it was decided to have him put down, which happened on 11th October. It is very sad but the kindest thing to do and he will be remembered with great fondness. He was a great character, very bossy with all the other ponies, except very recently, when he had to give up his top position to our new pony, Major – after six months of being separated, otherwise war broke out!

He is irreplaceable but it is very much hoped we will soon have another pony, called Albert, to join our Group.

The two photos below show Bomber doing his favourite thing - eating!

Volunteer Award Ceremony

Sally, Ellie and Sue attended the annual Volunteers of the Year awards organised by Windsor and Maidenhead Voluntary Action held at Dorney Lake on 6th October 2011. The Group's volunteers were entered into the team category – we didn't win but received this certificate and enjoyed the evening.

Sad News

It is very sad to report that Dennis Tosland, at the age of 93, has died. He was a very long serving and loyal helper with the Driving Group, for many years driving the trailer with our ponies to many events, even when he was 90 and always on hand to help in many other ways. He will be much missed.

Alexandra Rose Day Collection - 30 July 2011

Casper and several members of the Group took to the streets of Ascot for the annual Alexandra Rose Day collection. Everyone wore pink - including Casper who was sporting a very fetching sash.  The day was a great success - everyone stayed dry and more than £250 was raised for the Group. More photos in the Photo Gallery.

Cancer Research UK relay for life - 16 July 2011

Casper joined the parade at the start of the 4th annual Cancer Research UK Relay For Life at Ascot race course.  2011 marks the 300th anniversary of Ascot Race Course so the parade had a historical theme with Maureen Kemp, a member of the Group, dressed as Queen Anne leading the parade. It was a very wet day!

Warfield Show - 3 July 2011

Two members of the Group took part in the Warfield Show, the only disabled driving group in three classes. We were helped by our usual wonderful team. Kate, with Sally as one RDA whip in the first class and Maddie in the other class, drove really well in both and was complimented on her driving by the judge.

Rebecca, accompanied by Sarah drove the concours d’elegance class and was well placed in the line up, though the field was very rough and the grass came up to the floor of the carriage!

Both turnouts looked really smart and of course, our pony, Casper, was a real star, behaved beautifully and looked persil white. The whole day was most successful with happy faces and all home by 2pm. More photos in the Photo Gallery.

Royal Windsor Horse Show - 12 May 2011

Casper, our Shetland pony driven by Kate with Sally as the RDA Whip, competed in the disabled class at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Ellie was in attendance as Groom – keeping Casper in check!

This class was divided into two sections – the first being about driver ability, turnout etc and the second part of the class being the tricky cones. There were 13 entries and we were placed fifth in the first section, which was a great achievement! Kate drove extremely well and Casper was angelic.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh watched the competition and later Sally, Kate and Ellie enjoyed a chat with him. He thought Casper looked like he was asleep! More photos in the Photo Gallery.

Thanks to Frank Rainsborough, our official photographer at the show.