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HorseWorld's first 60 years: new DVD launched in time for Christmas
A leading animal welfare charity based in Bristol is marking its Diamond Jubilee Year by launching a new DVD charting its history from its beginnings 60 years ago.
HorseWorld, which was founded in 1952 as The Friends of Bristol Horses Society, will celebrate its anniversary in 2012. The charity was initially formed to help working horses at Bristol Temple Meads station who were no longer needed with the advent of motor transport.
Using a mix of new and archive footage and interviews, the film explains how the organisation has grown through the years to its current position with 50 staff, 150 volunteers, 140 horses on site, some 300 on loan, and a hugely popular Visitor Centre greeting tens of thousands of people each year.
It also outlines the educational role HorseWorld plays: ranging from the way its popular Visitor Centre enables people to get up close to some of the rescued animals, to the ground-breaking Discovery Courses the charity now runs to help local young people with emotional, behavioural and learning issues.
And, in a major coup for the charity, legendary ‘horse whisperer’ Monty Roberts gave an exclusive interview for inclusion in the 63-minute DVD.
HorseWorld’s current work is based around the three ‘R’s: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Rehoming of horses, ponies and donkeys from right across the West Country and beyond.
Producer Mary Addison, who has made films with organisations including Microsoft and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, said: “It was enormous fun researching and filming this project. I quickly discovered HorseWorld is full of larger than life characters whose passion for the cause bowls you over, and I hope the DVD reflects the wonderful work the charity does.”
Alongside film of many horses in the charity’s Welfare Yard and Visitor Centre, there are interviews with staff, volunteers, horse loaners and others. The film also includes archive cine film clips – the earliest known footage of the charity at its Staunton Manor Farm, Whitchurch, base. Many older local residents will remember the organisation as ‘Bristol’s Rest Home for Horses’
HorseWorld Managing Director Mark Owen said: “The film is called ‘The First 60 Years’ because we are actively looking towards the next sixty, determined to ensure we continue to develop the proud work our founders started back when Elizabeth II was in her first year as our Queen.
“The charity was founded to help provide safe retirement for working horses. Through the years, HorseWorld has made rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming the cornerstone of its work. Yet now we’re moving into the era of the ‘modern working horse’, with animals actively involved in our exciting Discovery Courses which help young people with emotional, behavioural and learning issues.”
Priced at just £9.50 the DVD is on sale at the charity’s Visitor Centre Shop or can be ordered online here
Article By: Richard Wyatt
Date Published: 06/12/2011
