Sunday 20th November
Today we attended the Ruby Anniversary of the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy (located in the New Forest); celebrating forty years of educating young people, for whom life has proved a challenge. Our son Frank attended in 2001, on a three year Further Education Through Horsemanship course.
Life skills are taught with the interaction of horses: whether grooming, keeping a tidy stable, measuring feed and weighing hay nets, exercise, or discipline. Numeracy, literary, and social skills, and the ability to achieve success, where this had previously been lacking, brought such a change to Frank’s life.
Frank had an amazing time at FCRT, where living, caring for and working with the horses improved his social skills, his confidence and of course, his horse riding.
We were welcomed by the director, who remembered Frank so fondly, and when we all moved outdoors for the dedication of a Founder’s Garden, she spoke affectionately about our son, bringing tears to my eyes. Frank really made an impression on everyone he met.
We love you, my darling.
Miss you so very much.
Our heavenly horseman in heaven.
xxxxxx
http://www.fortunecentre.org/home/
‘Fortune’ the original pony, after whom the centre was named
Meeting with Martin Clunes, one of the patrons of the Fortune Centre
William, one of the horses at FCRT, with a beautiful temperament
The splendid colours of the New Forest
My new pal, Doc Martin. (I do look quite surprised)
The Journey of My Left Foot (whilst remembering my son) 