Tucked away in a paddock below Greenmeadow Community Farm is a club that makes a huge difference to the lives of people with disabilities.
WATCH a video of members talking about Ceffyl Du. CLICK play
Members of Ceffyl Du RDA Driving Group love the thrill of carriage driving. They get to take the reins of a pony and use their skills to control the carriage as it is pulled around a field. A volunteer sits with the member for safety reasons but the member is totally in control.
I spent an evening at the club and chatted to members and volunteers. The weekly meet-up every Monday from 6pm is only part of the fun. They enjoy regular social nights, picnics and trips.
Some members have been part of Ceffyl Du for over 30 years. Every member I spoke to mentioned their love of the feeling of being in control of a pony as it pulls them around a field. They also said the club is friendly and welcoming with members supporting each other.
Volunteers are an essential part of the club. It can take six to 8 people to safely support a person in a wheelchair into the carriage. Volunteers also help with getting the next member to ride ready in the waiting area and marshalling the field.
A national award
The club has just won the Carriage Driving Magazine’s Riding for the Disabled Driving Group of the Year.
Join Ceffyl Du as a member or a volunteer
Visit the club’s website to find out more about the club. New members are welcome to contact the club and go along to try it out.
You don’t need to have experience with horses or helping people with disabilities if you want to volunteer.
Contact Ceffyl Du RDA Driving Group
Email: [email protected]
Call: 07756 305177
