Monday 27th May
.
Castle Coombe racing
Hot hatches and saloon
Maclaren and a Lambo
A fast paced afternoon
.
A sprinkling of light rain
To make it more exciting
The GT championship
Pole position, they’re fighting
.
Love you poppet
My darling Angel son
Speedy González
A real fast one
.
xxxxxx
. 
A Noble ~ winner
MC Sport Special… Procomp LA Gold 
A Formula Ford
Lamborghini Gallardo 
The red Viper
Nissan GTR
The Maclaren
Audi R8
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)
Tuesday 26th January
“We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle.”
When you were sixteen and had finished school, you went to an amazing place in the New Forest, called the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy. You spent three marvellous years gaining a qualification: Further Education through Horsemanship.
Here you progressed with your riding skills, improved your literacy and numeracy, worked on your social skills, leading towards an independent and fulfilling life.
Every summer there was a presentation day, where the students would put on riding exhibitions, show parents around the stables and the many facilities, rounded off with prize-giving.
You, in the indoor arena
Riding in the indoor arena
Every year you received an award.
Here you are being presented with the Wheeler Cup for Kindness.
You always wanted to help others, making sure that everything was all right with them.
Receiving the Wheeler Cup for Kindness
In other years you also received a cup for Humour, and one for Teamwork.
It really was quite prestigious for you, although sometimes you ran away and hid during the presentation ceremonies, as you didn’t like being the centre of attention, or going up to shake hands with a dignitary and accept your award.
Waiting patiently during the ceremony
Receiving your Further Education through Horsemanship certificate
Holding your trophies
An award for Humour, and a silly face
Mr Funny Face
What a wonderful opportunity you had here, you really flourished among such a caring group of educators, and relished your life with the horses.
My Angel horseman.
Riding on high.
Dearest son.
Love you.
xxxxxxx
The Journey of My Left Foot (whilst remembering my son) 