Opening event marks new era for The Blue Cross in Northiam

28/03/2008

The Blue Cross animal charity has announced exciting plans to develop the role of its Northiam equine centre, and is inviting local people to attend the official opening event on Saturday 5th April 2008. 

After more than 50 years caring for horses in the South East, the Northiam centre is to become the charity's first rest and retirement centre for Blue Cross horses and ponies. 

While other Blue Cross equine centres will continue their work rehabilitating and rehoming horses and ponies around the country, the Northiam centre will cater mainly for retired horses that are not suitable for rehoming because they are very elderly or have medical conditions that require special care.  It will also be home to a small number of youngsters before they are ready to be transferred to one of the other centres for training and rehoming.

Debbie Heaver, Blue Cross acting sanctuary manager at Northiam, explains: The new emphasis on rest and retirement will allow us to provide specialist care where needed for Blue Cross equines into their old age, offering them a lifetime of security. 

We already have more than 500 horses and ponies in loan homes around the country, and as they get older they will need increasing levels of care that the borrower may not be able to provide.  The changes at Northiam mean that should any of our equines need to come back to us, they can spend the rest of their days in a peaceful sanctuary with the care they deserve.

The Blue Cross Rest and Retirement Centre, which features new walkways for visitors to view the residents, will be officially opened at midday on Saturday 5th April.  Members of the public and Blue Cross supporters are invited to join special guests to mark the occasion. 

The centre will open from 11.30am through to 3pm and it promises to be a fun-packed day for all the family.  Visitors are invited to come along to meet the horses and ponies at the centre and find out more about the history of The Blue Cross in Northiam.  Kids can take part in a 'hobby horse gymkhana' along with other games, and refreshments will be available. 

Members of the public will also be encouraged to visit the new Rest and Retirement centre throughout the summer and other peak seasons such as school holidays.  Previously, tours were only possible by appointment but the new walkways will allow people to visit the horses and ponies in the paddocks within the centre's opening hours*.  Large groups are also welcome but will be asked to arrange a tour with a member of staff in advance. 

For more information about the opening event, please contact The Blue Cross on 01797 253 908 or visit www.bluecross.org.uk/events. The equine centre is located at St Francis Fields, Northiam, Sussex, TN31 6LP.  Some parking will be provided on site. 

The Blue Cross equine centre in Northiam shares its site with The Blue Cross animal adoption centre which rehomes unwanted or homeless cats and dogs in the region.  This will continue operating as normal and will not be affected by the changes to the equine centre.

Ends
Notes to Editors

Media are welcome to attend the opening event, please contact the Press Office.
Images available: past and present photos of The Blue Cross in Northiam.
*The Spring opening hours of the centre will be 11am to 3pm on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.  All visitors should to report to reception and last visitors are asked to arrive by 2.30pm. 
For more than a century, The Blue Cross has been dedicated to rehabilitating and rehoming horses and ponies in need, giving them the chance of a new life in approved homes.
The Blue Cross always rehomes its horses and ponies on a 'monitored loan' basis to approved homes, which means that they remain under the ownership of the charity and can return at any time if their borrower's circumstances change or they can no longer provide the care they need.
The Rest and Retirement centre at Northiam will care for retired Blue Cross equines, but will not be able to take in other horses for retirement. 
The Blue Cross provides practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of small animal and equine adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees. 

Media contact
Laura Dobson, The Blue Cross press office, 020 7932 4065 or 07917 132 698.