Active

Saddle p p for success for success

With more and more people taking up horse riding, one local school has reopened its state-of-the-art equestrian facilities so pupils can get the horsey habit early on

Aschool in Denbigh has made caring for horses part of the syllabus to keep its horse-mad pupils keen. Pupils at Myddelton College can now bring their ponies with them, thanks to the reopening of its equestrian centre following a £30,000 renovation, which comes 15 years after Olympic eventing gold medallist Princess Anne opened the facilities.

Myddelton College’s 37 acres of grounds already have extensive sporting facilities including tennis and squash courts, a gym and a climbing wall as well as cricket, football and rugby pitches, which are also used by local clubs. Parent and former

Welsh junior international showjumper Ruth Hogan, from Trefnant, has four children at the school, including Thomas in Year 12 who has followed in his mother’s tracks to represent Wales – and daughter Sophia, 11, wil join them in September. “The school was very keen to bring the facilities here back into use and it was also important to us as a family,” Ruth says. “We’re delighted with the results and Myddelton now has some of the fi nest facilities in north “The equestrian centre was Wales for riding and competing in equestrian events. We already have a showjumping team here at the school and hope soon to have originally dressage and eventing teams as well.” opened by Princess Anne” A stable education The equestrian centre has stabling for up to 10 horses and ponies, two 20ft by 40ft all-weather arenas, a 10-acre fi eld and easy access to a network of bridle paths in the surrounding Vale of Clwyd. The school can also organise specialist training for riding for all levels of abilities, including taster sessions for novice riders. “The centre has now been restored and we’re very pleased with the new facilities, which mean pupils can even stable their ponies and horses here,” says headmaster Andrew Allman. “While there is currently accommodation for 10, there is also room for expansion.”

Wild good Chase

Our resident rambler Clive Williams explores Staffordshire’s magical and mysterious Cannock Chase

Cannock Chase is somewhere I wanted to visit ever since seeing an item about it on BBC’s Countryfi le in 1989. Having access to so many walks in my own backyard of Wales meant I didn’t get round to visiting there until recently, but I’m glad I fi nally did! Known locally as “The Chase”, Cannock Chase is a large expanse of upland heathland, forest and woodland in Sta ordshire, with a sandstone plateau covering 63 per cent and the rest being farmland. It covers 26 square miles in total, making it the smallest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the UK.

The Chase is shrouded in mysteries, including UFO sightings and even spottings of Bigfoot. There is also a strong military connection – the area played a big part in

training solders for the trenches of the First World War, and there is a German war cemetery in nearby Brocton as well as the National Memorial Arboretum at Lichfi eld. Visitor centres are a good place to start any walk, as they provide ample parking and information. Birches Valley Forest Centre (WS15 2UQ) is no exception, and the centre at Marquis Drive (WS12 4PW) o ers alternative routes. For a more peaceful approach and walk on the vast heathland, try Glacial Boulder car park (WS15 2UA). There are lots of paths to explore here, “The area fantastic views and played a big plenty of role in training soldiers for the wildlife, including a large herd First World War” of fallow deer. Local I didn’t get round to visiting landmarks there until recently, but I’m glad I fi nally did! to look out for include Known locally as “The Chase”, Cannock Chase the 96m tall Pye Green is a large expanse of upland heathland, forest BT tower, which during and woodland in Sta ordshire, with a sandstone the Cold War was part of a secret communication network for use during a nuclear war. For further details, visit Will you spot Bigfoot – or a UFO – while exploring Cannock Chase? www.cannock-chase.co.uk