It is possibly something that many of us think about, but what happens to a Racehorse or a Military horse when it is retired from service, or a horse owner is diagnosed terminally ill but needs to ensure their beloved animal is cared for, maybe a horse needed convalescence for malnutrition? Lots of questions when the phone rang and a lady, so passionate for her project spoke ending the conversation with “we may lose everything”!
 
 

It was a bright Saturday morning on the 20th March that I responded to my invitation to visit Norwood Hill, a small tranquil part of the East Surrey countryside within the boundaries of Mole Valley, yet London Gatwick Airport is visible only a few miles away and the few aircraft departing gleamed like great eagles as they rose in height yet far enough that it was silent, with the birds twittering in the surrounding trees. A gated entrance welcomed me, beyond that a small collection of field huts or transportable stables set in a horseshoe shape, A small cat came and said “hello” as cats do brushing around my lower leg as a lady approached waving and saying “Hi Neil, welcome to Kilmarnock Horse Rescue”.

Carol Jackson is the founder and chair of The Horse Rescue that moved here a few years earlier from an industrial site on the donation of a small piece of land to continue their good work. I`m guided in and immediately all the residents popped their heads out over their half doors, The horses almost smiling if that’s the right term and pleased to see someone different, Carol explained that they normally see children with learning difficulties during normal times, some on the autistic spectrum. The horses were rescued by the centre on the request of police forces or individual owners rather than be put to sleep. It’s a retirement home for the horse, fresh hay, a dry stable and good company sounds a welcome prospect but animals don’t have voices, we two legged humans are the animal’s voice in horse rights!

But amongst this wonderful situation all is not as it seems. It seems advice was given saying transportable structures would be acceptable, then planning was demanded, which was refused before it made committee consideration, an appeal is being made, in the meantime an eviction notice has been found attached to the gate. The passion to save the centre is strong, invites for councillors to visit in a safe socially distanced manner have been offered but no one has come. It seems during this pandemic I am the first to visit, ask questions, take pictures and record an interview with Carol. I can I`m classed as a key worker acting as a reporter for a broadcaster but councillors and planning members can in the course of performing their duties. The green belt is unfortunately being built on, bricks and mortar everywhere but with an airport parking company close by, an events company just yonder is not a few mobile transportable field shelters acting as stables for up to twenty four rescue horses in keeping with the countryside. Or is this townies that think they know? That’s the question.

I spoke to Carol at length, I`ve had to re-record my questions due to a levels glitch working with a boom pole with the mic on the end but Carol`s answers are in their entirety.

I learnt at the conclusion that it was Carol`s birthday that day, That showed me her passion, being at the stables making sure all her residents were clean, groomed, fed and watered and awaiting me to do the interview.

Let us hope this is not the end but the beginning of another chapter we will know more in the next few days.

© Neil Munday

Social Media and support information
Facebook: @kilmarnockhorserescue
GoFundMe: Kilmarnocks Fight Fund
Change.Org Petition:
Help save Kilmarnock Animal Rescue from eviction
Email: kilmarnockhorserescue@gmail.com