Recent news
Laing O'Rourke Corporate Day
On September 16th 2015, some keen volunteers from Laing O'Rourke visited Arrow for the day to help around the yard with various projects. Under the watchful eye of Alan (our foreman for the day), the team repainted some gates, washed down the front porch and door, and helped tidy and fix up things all over the site.
Their help was very much appreciated, and we hope to see some of them again soon!
If your company would like to come and give us a much needed hand for a day (or more!) we would love to hear fro you. Get in touch!
Val Listed in New Years Honours
Everyone at Arrow Riding Centre would love to say a huge congratulations to Group Organiser Valerie Blake for being awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s New Years Honours List, for her dedicated services to the Arrow Riding Centre!
Carol Concert 2014
The Arrow Riding Centre had its annual Christmas Carol Concert on December 7th 2014. As ever, it was very well attended, and over 400 guests braved the elements to join us for an afternoon of carols, readings and a nativity procession with a selection of our riders and ponies. The raffle was very popular with huge festive hampers and reindeer soft toys being amongst the top prizes, and the grand entrance of Father Christmas on our brand new tractor was a perfect way to end the afternoon!
We raised £5,000, so thank you to everyone involved.
Barclays Cyclopark Fundraising Event - 3rd October 2014
Eight members of the Barclays Dartford Business Team completed 120 laps (around 180 miles) of the Gravesend Cyclopark on 3rd October in aid of the Arrow Riding Centre. Only two of the riders were regular cyclists so it was a huge challenge but the team raised £1053 in sponsorship, and this was matched by Barclays giving a total of £2053 overall.
Our new tractor!
We were lucky enough to have almost the entire cost of a vital new tractor donated to us by the QBE Foundation recently - thank you!
Val Presented with Service Recognition Award
Val Blake, who runs Arrow day-to-day, was presented with a Service Recognition Award by the Rotary Club of North Downs, in acknowledgement of special service to Arrow Riding Centre. Congratulations Val - very well deserved!
Recent Donations
Arrow has been lucky enough to receive a number of generous donations recently. Many thanks to RWE Generation for their donation of £1,000, and to the Friendship Quilters for their hard work and donation of £1,500 - and this beautful quilt! (pictured right)
Congratulations Emily!
In March & April 2015, one of our riders, Emily Hall (pictured left with instructor Shannen), competed in her first able-bodied dressage competitions, coming 2nd both times in the walk and trot. In her first one she was just pipped to first place by 0.6%! See some more pictures of Emily and our other riders in the Gallery.
New Ponies
We recently welcomed two new ponies and one new horse into our team, and Beline, Tigger and Maria are settling in well. We have said a fond farewell to Silk, who has now retired, and to Tupence, who has gone to live with a new owner. Keep an eye on our Horses page to learn more about the new arrivals!
Latest News
Everyone at Arrow Riding Centre would love to say a huge congratulations to Group Organiser Valerie Blake for being awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s New Years Honours List, for her dedicated services to the Arrow Riding Centre!
The New Year's Honour list sees a total of 1,196 people receive an award, more than three quarters of whom are recognised for outstanding work in their communities, either in a voluntary or paid capacity. Other names on the list include veteran actress Barbara Windsor, musician Damon Albarn & cyclist Chris Froome.
We are sure you’ll agree it is very well deserved. We are all proud, and look forward to seeing where Val leads the Arrow next. Click on the images below to see Val's congratulatory letter, and a mention of her award in the Horse & Hound magazine (7 January 2016).
