Blue Cross Rolleston: one year on

Last weekend, The Blue Cross equine welfare centre in Rolleston-on-Dove will celebrate twelve months of caring for the region's horses as it reaches its first anniversary.

The centre was officially opened on 29 September 2006 with a grand opening ceremony attended by staff and visitors from the local community. The centre was declared open by Mrs Brenda Luke and Mrs Susan Brown, great nieces of Robert Archer who bequeathed the site to The Blue Cross in memory of his late wife Hilda.

Over seventy equines helped

One year on, the charity has helped over 70 horses and ponies, of which 29 have been successfully rehomed to date. Horses coming into The Blue Cross are assessed then placed on a programme of rehabilitation to address any health, fitness or behavioural issues. They are then rehomed whenever possible into active, fulfilling new homes, where the charity continues to monitor their progress twice yearly for the rest of their lives. 

Kath Urwin, Blue Cross centre manager at Rolleston, said: "I can't believe how quickly a year has gone by, but we're all so proud to look back at what we have achieved in that time. More than 70 horses have come through the centre and many have needed a lot of work so we've certainly been busy!  Every horse is an individual and there have been some challenges along the way, but nothing compares to the satisfaction of placing a horse in a happy new home knowing that whatever their background, they will have a secure future."

Community support

Over the last year, Blue Cross staff and volunteers have been overwhelmed with support from the local community, not only from prospective horse owners but also from other visitors who have come along to the many public events that have been held at the centre. 

Participation in several Blue Cross events has meant a rise to fame for two of the ponies in the charity's care: loveable miniature Shetlands Misty and Star. 

The pair were taken to The Blue Cross when their previous owners could no longer look after them. After a timid few months, they soon settled in and showed their more sociable side. Over the summer, the cheeky ponies have been taken on a series of educational outings to local schools and they even took part in a recent Scout parade. They have built up a solid fan base and staff declare that they are now proud celebrities in their own right.

Contact details for Rolleston equine centre

October 2007