Tintern horse rescue charity site sale to be agreed (From Free Press Series)

Tintern horse rescue charity site sale to be agreed

12:20pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News

A CHARITY has told its supporters that the sale of its Monmouthshire site is imminent.

The Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) has confirmed Brockweir’s Gregory Farm will not reopen and has made eight full-time, four part-time and a number of casual staff redundant.

The final decision comes after reports in January that the centre closed mysteriously amid accusations and counter-accusations, including some that staff were being criticised for doing their jobs.

The week afterwards a HAPPA spokeswoman said there were false allegations about the euthanasia of horses, and said the closure was necessary because well-meaning people might have removed their animals.

The board of directors announced the farm would be shut while an internal consultation was completed.

The 83.3-acre site was then put up for sale at £600,000.

In a letter to members and supporters, dated January 28, 2013, HAPPA chairman Ken Cranage said the charity’s decision to focus its work in the North of England would “appear fairly shocking” to many.

“We now have a number of potential purchasers who are keen to buy the site and hope to be in a position to accept and progress an offer within the next few weeks,” he wrote.

Mr Cranage went on to say the closure will have “alienated several good people” and regular visitors to Gregory Farm.

“We are truly saddened by this and hope that over time you will accept our decision and reignite your support,” he told them.

Mr Cranage thanked Gregory Farm’s supporters and confirmed the horses and ponies have been rehomed or transferred to Shores Hey Farm Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Briercliffe, near Burnley.

Ruth Sinfield, chairwoman of the Save Gregory Farm action group, said Mr Cranage was right in his assessment of the situation.

She said: “The way the whole thing was handled was so stressful and upsetting for a lot of people.

I am so sad a resource that was in the hub of our community, well supported and offering employment, has closed.

“I think it’s totally true about them alienating people. I think they went too far,” she added.

Adopters who have not received information about their horse or pony should contact Julie Rickwood-Gan on 01282 455992.