Photography by Sonia Turkington
A PIECE of Denton green space is getting ready to show off what can really be done after growing in its community.
The Friends of the Horses’ Field Association (FHFA) hopes to secure green belt status after lodging an application to have the site on Thornley Lane South in Dane Bank added in February.
Now on Sunday, July 17, it will open up the area for a fun-filled afternoon for the first time since 2019, with recent additions Jubilee Rose and Legacy sure to be star attractions.
But FHFA secretary Jan Bunner believes it will be about much more than enjoying the horses’ company.
She said: “It shows how important the field has become to the area.
“When the pandemic hit, we noticed lots of people taking their daily walks on there and a lot more dog walkers – it seems to have continued, even though things seem to be a lot more back to normal.
“A lot of people have adopted newer habits and hopefully they’ll stick around.
“We’ve a lovely new leaseholder who brought some new horses on – and we’ve got two lovely new foals.
“They’ve settled in really well. Chester, who’s 18 years old, is the only male on the field – he must feel henpecked to death!
“There’s four-year-old Pumpkin and there’s the Shire horse, Cloud, who’s just had her foal, Jubilee Rose.
“Finally, there’s Minnie and her foal, Legacy and they’re making friends. It’s great to get the field back to what its purpose is.
“It is good to have horses on the Horses’ Field!”
As well as the traditional open day events, like a tombola and raffle, this year’s open day will have added elements, including some where locals can show off their competitive side.
There will also be an educational element, mostly about how to behave around the animals.
Jan added: “It’s a great relationship and the leaseholder will be helping out at the open day, giving out some activity packs and give an insight into what horses are all about and how to behave around them.
“It’ll be quite educational but we’re adding a couple of extra elements, so we could do with recruiting a few people for them.
“We’re doing a Bake Off and also one for people who want to decorate cakes. It would be nice to see things with the theme of the field and things like that.
“And we’d like to offer prizes for them. There’ll also be an ice cream van for the kids, as well as a coffee van.
“We’ll also be raising money for the Welsh Pony Rescue Rehoming Charitable Trust, which one of the horse team is involved with.
“As well as it being about the field, it’s about the horses as well.”
The Friends of the Horses’ Field Association has already planted a celebratory tree to mark 30 years since campaigners save it from being developed for housing.
But Jan revealed there are plans for more, as well as hopefully securing that much desired for green bet status.
She told The Correspondent: “I’m in talks with City of Trees to get more tree planting on there. We’ll have a visit to decide what we can have and where we can have them.
“Now we’re waiting for the rubber stamp of the green belt application. Hopefully all being well, it will come to fruition.
“If it does, we’ll have a big party!”
• The Friends of the Horses’ Field Association’s open day is on Sunday, July 17, starting at 2pm.
Anyone looking to get involved in the cake baking or decorating competitions can register their interest through their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/420865904643806