Sun to set over Charlton Stables? 18Sun to set over Charlton Stables?

By Monica Chard

The Eco Park has had an effect on many of us in one way or another, whether a blight on our view, the traffic or the smells. But noise has apparently been having an impact within the immediate area of the site. The Charlton Village stables had been an area of peace and recreation for many riders and their steeds for many years. Stuart Boyle offers a mix of paid livery and keeps his own horses which he uses for riding for the disabled. Many children have enjoyed the pleasure of riding these steady horses and there are currently 20 coming regularly. The activity has put a smile on the face of many visitors, some deaf, some with autism. Riding has been recognised as a positive activity for both mental and physical health. At the start of plans for the Eco Park, the ideal would have been to find an alternative site for the stable but that did not happen. It is with a heavy heart that Stuart Boyle is seriously considering closing his stables in Charlton Village. He says noise from the Eco Park is upsetting the horses. Initially it was the construction, with a lot of impact from the piling, but lately noise is coming from alarms and deliveries. Horses are flighty animals, prone to spooking. When a horse spooks, they become unpredictable. They can buck and take flight. Stuart Boyle himself, a very experienced horseman, has been trampled several times by spooked horses, the last time resulting in 2 broken ribs. He cannot take the risk of injury to one of the young riders. Horses have also run and become entangled in electric fences. The resulting injuries to the animals was significant. Stuart has approached the Eco Park to report incidents but feels his complaints have not been taken seriously and has not felt that the impact on his animals or vulnerable riders has been fully appreciated. We spoke to a Suez spokesperson who said that there was little noise coming from the Eco Park and that there have been very few complaints about noise interference. If you have any comments, make sure you log them with Suez or the EA. The stables have been operating on the site for 25 years, largely in peace, until the construction of the Eco Park started. So, without a proposed solution, either to move the facility or ensure tranquility, he feels the only solution is to close. Stuart is having a last attempt to find a resolution but will take the decision in February. Should the Charlton Village stables close, it will mean almost certain death for 12 old horses, which have been used for riding for the disabled. Closure will mean also loss of income for the many local suppliers and services used by the stables. It will also call into question what will happen to the land. A parcel of the land is under consideration as part Spelthorne Council’s Local Plan. Would this be the final nail in the coffin?

The Eco Park has had an effect on many of us in one way or another, whether a blight on our view, the traffic or the smells. But noise has apparently been having an impact within the immediate area of the site. The Charlton Village stables had been an area of peace and recreation for many riders and their steeds for many years. Stuart Boyle offers a mix of paid livery and keeps his own horses which he uses for riding for the disabled. Many children have enjoyed the pleasure of riding these steady horses and there are currently 20 coming regularly. The activity has put a smile on the face of many visitors, some deaf, some with autism. Riding has been recognised as a positive activity for both mental and physical health. At the start of plans for the Eco Park, the ideal would have been to find an alternative site for the stable but that did not happen.Photo Nicola Jupp It is with a heavy heart that Stuart Boyle is seriously considering closing his stables in Charlton Village. He says noise from the Eco Park is upsetting the horses. Initially it was the construction, with a lot of impact from the piling, but lately noise is coming from alarms and deliveries. Horses are flighty animals, prone to spooking. When a horse spooks, they become unpredictab Boyle himself, a very experienced horseman, has been trampled several times by spooked horses, the last time resulting in 2 broken ribs. He cannot take the risk of injury to one of the young riders. Horses have also run and become entangled in electric fences. The resulting injuries to the animals was significant. www.villagematters.co.uk Stuart has approached the Eco Park to report

The Spelthorne Civic Award Trust was founded in 1983 by Alf Goddard MBE to acknowledge the work of the many local Spelthorne residents who have dedicated their time to voluntary service in the borough. The object of the Trust is to consider nominations with a view to conferring an honour to recognise long term voluntary effort by such individuals. We would therefore like to invite local residents and voluntary organisations to nominate persons they know who have given a minimum of at least 12 years’ service so that the Trustees can consider them for an award. Candidates do not have to live in the borough but the work they do should be of benefit to Spelthorne residents. The awards are presented annually in April at a Presentation evening in the Council Chamber at Knowle Green. This year, because of Covid 19 restrictions, we were not able to invite recipients and nominees to the ceremony but the presentations were recorded and can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=dnpmHV3zjBw&t=756s Nomination forms and further details on the awards are available from the Trust Secretary, David Martin (email: civicawards@gmail.com) Closing date for nominations: 31st January 2021.