Supporters safeguard HAPPA’s future
Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) is delighted to announce that the Charity is about to embark on a significant site refurbishment project.
In HAPPA’s 50th Anniversary year in Burnley, Lancashire, the charity’s Board of Trustees are delighted to announce substantial investment and enhancements at Shores Hey Farm, only made possible due to the extraordinary generosity of devoted HAPPA supporters.
Substantial gifts of funding, through legacy giving, have enabled the charity to invest in site improvements. All works will be completed from the 3rd June 2024, these include extensive refurbishments of the extremely popular onsite Café, the Walter Bartley stable block, and the opening of an onsite museum highlighting the Evolution of Equine Welfare.
Walter Bartley Stable Block Renovations
Built in 2006, the Walter Bartley memorial stable block has been integral to HAPPA’s ability to rescue and rehabilitate horses. However, the internal stabling has deteriorated over the years, with rusting metal frameworks and fragile wooden slats posing risks to both horses and staff.
The renovation plans include the replacement and extension of 16 stables, the installation of a new rubber matting system and two storerooms. The stables will be rebuilt with galvanised steel frameworks and recycled plastic slats, offering durability and low maintenance, the new rubber mats offer protection, comfort, and warmth for the horses. This planned upgrade will ensure that horses, ponies, and donkeys rescued by the charity continue to receive exemplary standards of care.
Rachael Wallace, Equine Rehabilitation and Rehoming Manager, remarked, “The Walter Bartley stable block, has served us well, but the stabling within the building is now deteriorating and becoming unfit for purpose. The much-needed upgrade to the stabling will enhance horse welfare, reduce maintenance costs, and allow us to accommodate larger horses.”
Yellow Hill Equestrian will commence the stable refurbishment works from the 3rd June 2024.
The Café at Shores Hey Farm Refurbishment
The Café at Shores Hey Farm has become a cornerstone of the local community since reopening post-pandemic, drawing supporters from near and far. The overwhelming patronage has highlighted the need for an extended kitchen to meet the growing demand and ensure allergen requests are safely managed. The planned kitchen extension and refurbishment will enhance the facilities, including the relocation of customer toilets and expansion of the second-floor space for visiting businesses utilising the adjoining meeting rooms.
Andy Black, Café, and Kitchen Manager comments, “We’re incredibly grateful for the community’s support since reopening after Covid. The Café team are excited to see the improvements come to life. We’ll all be working hard over the next couple of months to ensure we can still provide 5* customer service from our ‘Café on Wheels’ and wait eagerly to get back into the new and improved kitchen to continue to serve our customers delicious food and refreshment.’’
To facilitate these improvements, The Café will be closed from Monday 3rd June to Thursday 18th July. During this period, a ‘Café on Wheels’ will be available outside the reception area of Shores Hey Farm.
New Heritage Museum
HAPPA is excited to announce the opening of its Heritage Museum, ‘The Evolution of Equine Welfare,’ in September. The museum aims to educate visitors about the history of HAPPA and the development of horse welfare in agriculture, transport, and leisure. The project has involved extensive research into HAPPA’s heritage and the influential figures who have shaped the Charity.
Amanda Berry, Head of Equine Operations, and the longest-serving staff member at HAPPA, is spearheading the museum project. She shared, “Bringing this story to life is both satisfying and rewarding. Following the footsteps of our Founder, Mona Huskie, has been enlightening. Having worked in equine welfare all my life, this journey has been fascinating, and I am privileged to tell her story.”
The Heritage Museum will enhance the visitor experience at Shores Hey Farm, providing a rich educational resource about the evolution of equine welfare and HAPPA’s enduring impact. The museum will highlight the work of HAPPA’s founder, Miss Mona Huskie, who dedicated her life to improving the welfare of horses and combating cruel practices. More information on the opening of the new Heritage Museum will be released this, Summer.
This is an incredibly exciting period of growth for HAPPA. The upcoming improvements and additions over the next four months will significantly enhance the Charity’s efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating abused equines.
Sarah Arthur, Chief Executive Officer of HAPPA, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am deeply humbled by the support shown for HAPPA in this an important milestone for the charity. My heartfelt thanks go to those that have remembered HAPPA in their will, without your support we would simply cease to exist. It is important that we remember the generosity of those that have left a gift, in this case vital improvement will be made to the facilities at Shores Hey Farm in their memory. The site improvements will safeguard the charity’s existence for a further fifty years. Continuing the fight ‘To Give a Second Chance to Neglected, Abused, and Unwanted Equines’.”
Shores Hey Farm remains open to visitors during the refurbishment commencing from the 3rd of June and is scheduled to be completed in approximately six weeks. HAPPA hopes that supporters and friends continue to visit throughout and join them in celebrating the reopening of the new and improved Café and Walter Bartley stable block. Details in relation to how to visit during the works can be found here https://www.happa.org.uk/visit-us/
If you would like to help safeguard the future of HAPPA by leaving a gift in your will, contact Tanya Bunkham [email protected] or call 01282 455992.
Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of equines in need.