The challenge
Margaret Haes Riding Centre is a well-established charity that supports individuals with learning, physical, and mental health disabilities, as well as emotional and social challenges, to lead active, healthy, and fulfilling lives through participation in equestrian activities.
For almost 60 years, they have been providing everyone from 4-year-old children to retirees with the opportunity to interact with horses for proven benefits to their health and well-being. They provide an essential avenue for learning outside the classroom for children with Special Education Needs (SEN). They deliver the nationally recognised British Horse Society’s Changing Lives Through Horses programme, which supports children with SEN to develop life skills and gain awards.
The riding centre is located within a natural conservation area on the West Pennine Moors in the Holcombe area of Bury. Although it is stunning, their rural location presents its own challenges. The entrance to the facility is an unmade bridleway that was in such a poor state, it caused access difficulties for riders, volunteers, teachers, carers, as well as deliveries and essential services. Things came to a head after a rider sustained suspected back and neck injuries after falling off a horse. The attending ambulance had difficulty accessing the site, and the rider’s subsequent journey to the hospital was bumpy and uncomfortable.
Something had to be done.
Our approach
The charity had to adhere to natural conservation regulations regarding the materials used for the road repair. To ensure compliance, Debra Batchelor, a Director and Trustee of the Margaret Haes Riding Centre, sought help and guidance from a local Councillor and David Chadwick, Public Rights of Way Officer for Bury Council. The Council’s Engineering Services became involved, and the suggestion was made that the charity approach Marshalls for help. We responded to the request within 24 hours, and the delivery was completed within six weeks – and it would have been sooner if the Christmas break hadn’t arrived!
Fortunately, we were able to provide a solution that was fully compliant with the requirements of a designated area of natural conservation. The Type 1 CL803 sub-base from our Fletcher Bank was perfectly suitable – our quarry sits across the valley from the charity and produces aggregates and block stone made of the same material that sits beneath the Margaret Haes Riding Centre itself.
Once we knew that our material fitted the bill, Marshalls Aggregates were happy to help this fantastic charity by donating 20 tonnes of material to repair their access road. The aggregate was transported to the site on a Marshalls tipper truck, and the delivery was also free of charge. However, the driver and Annie Brouwer, Marshalls Aggregates Area Sales Manager, did receive a guided tour of the centre and a chance to take some photographs with the horses.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the enthusiastic group of National Trust volunteers who successfully carried out the repairs.
The outcome
The access road to the Margaret Haes Riding Centre has now been repaired, making it significantly easier for all visitors, deliveries, and emergency service vehicles to access the site. This improvement has benefited not only the riding centre but also the broader Ramsbottom community and visitors to Holcombe Hill and Peel Tower.
After the repairs were completed, Debra Batchelor expressed her gratitude, “We were extremely worried about the worsening state of our access along Moor Road, which was seriously impacting those using the Riding Centre. To be honest, we were at a complete loss as to what to do and had no resources for any works.
We were delighted when Marshalls agreed to donate 20 tonnes of natural stone. It was a game-changer, and action to repair our access followed quickly.
Bury Council provided the specification and oversight, as well as assistance with additional works further down the road, and an amazing team of volunteers from The National Trust completed the repairs using the natural stone donated by Marshalls. It demonstrates that communities are stronger when they work together.
A heartfelt thank you to Marshalls from everyone at Margaret Haes Riding Centre.”
