Construction on Buxton Riding for the Disabled group's equestrian arena gets vital donation from Tarmac

A Buxton riding school for the disabled has been handed a major boost in its ambitious project to build an indoor equestrian arena courtesy of two of the town’s leading employers.
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Tarmac has donated 800 tonnes of stone from its quarry in Tunstead to the Helen Atkin Group, which hopes the arena will enable many more people of all ages to enjoy the physical and psychological benefits of horse-riding.

The stone was also delivered to the site on Fern Road free of charge by Tarmac’s haulage partner, Lomas Distribution, and will be used for the access road to the new facility and the base layers for the arena’s floor.

Wendy Howe, who chairs the riding group, said: “Both companies are local and very much involved in the community, and because both are on our doorstep, they have helped us to reduce the environmental footprint of our ambitious project.

From left, Alfie Hall and Cracker the horse, Riding for the Disabled group chair Wendy Howe, Tarmac transport manager Heidi Sherwood, riding school owners Louise and Dave Thompson, Hazel Jones of Tarmac, and Lomas Distribution driver Tracy Dronfield-Boyd.From left, Alfie Hall and Cracker the horse, Riding for the Disabled group chair Wendy Howe, Tarmac transport manager Heidi Sherwood, riding school owners Louise and Dave Thompson, Hazel Jones of Tarmac, and Lomas Distribution driver Tracy Dronfield-Boyd.
From left, Alfie Hall and Cracker the horse, Riding for the Disabled group chair Wendy Howe, Tarmac transport manager Heidi Sherwood, riding school owners Louise and Dave Thompson, Hazel Jones of Tarmac, and Lomas Distribution driver Tracy Dronfield-Boyd.

“We are also extremely grateful to Tarmac for its technical advice on the exact type of stone that would be needed to lay first-class foundations for the facilities, which the company generously supplied free of charge. It has got us off to a really solid start.”

Groundwork on the £140,000 build began at Fern Farm in April and main construction is due to be completed by the end of the year.

Tarmac’s stone and powders director Pete Butterworth said: “It was a pleasure to visit the facility earlier this year before the pandemic restrictions came in.

“The centre clearly offers many benefits for riders with disabilities, and we look forward to seeing the arena open.”

Richard Lomas, who owns Lomas Distribution, added: “We were very happy to be able to partner with Tarmac to get involved in supporting such a worthwhile cause.”

The Helen Atkin Group, which is part of the national Riding for the Disabled network, has also received support from the estate of the late David Hammond, Sport England, online crowdfunding, and fundraising activities such as a sponsored cycled ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Other local businesses such as as Howden Joinery have also donated materials, time and advice.

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