Pony club will be left homeless if it can't raise £480,000 (From Your Local Guardian)

Mid Surrey Pony Club appeals for help to save its field in Hurst Road, Walton-on-the-Hill

7:20am Wednesday 18th August 2010 in Epsom By Paul Teed

A pony club that will be made homeless if it does not raise £480,000 has pleaded for help from the public.

Members of Mid Surrey Pony Club will lose their barn and cross country course if they can not stump up funds for their field in Hurst Road, Walton-on-the-Hill, by the time the lease expires in April next year.

They have already raised £50,000 in four months and will host a string of events to to try and bring in the extra cash - but will not be able to celebrate their 80th anniversary in the village next year if they do not hit their target.

Gina Kitchener, district commissioner of the Mid Surrey Pony Club, said they had a huge boost last week when a former member’s parent donated £10,000.

She said: “To lose the field would be a huge loss to us, it’s got everything, a fantastic barn, electricity and water.

“This training facility is our home really.”

She said the upheaval would have a big impact on the village’s economy and its equestrian community, which would be forced to follow the club to a new site.

Yvonne Morris, of the club’s fundraising committee, said it would lose some of its 200 members if it had to re-locate.

She said: “Over the course of the last 23 years our volunteers have strived to transform this field from an empty space into a wonderful training facility for young people.

“Unless we can raise the £480,000 asking price before our lease expires in April 2011, we will lose our barn, cross country course and the community around us.”

Major David Puckey, of the Royal Logistics Corp, will help raise money for the “save our field” fund by teaching club members the art of tent pegging and skill at arms next Tuesday.

And villagers will descend on the pony club field from 1pm on Saturday, August 28, for a community fete and dog show. Visitors will be able to buy a balloon for £1 and the one that travels farthest will win a digital camera.

The club branch was established in 1931 and has members of all ages. It holds rallies, activities, team training, shows and competitions at its Walton-on-the-Hill base.

Many riders have taken part in disciplines including dressage, show jumping and pony racing.

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/MidSurreyPonyClubAppeal