Thursday, 27 May 2021
Twickenham's MP steps in to support Teddington's Park Lane Stables as it prepares to move from its home despite £1 million fundraiser
Park Lane Stables Riding for the
Disabled confirmed today that it is looking for a
new home, after its landlords served a notice of eviction for the end of
May 2021 when the current lease expires.
The charity was originally served with an eviction
notice on New Year’s Eve 2020, unless it paid the landlord’s £1 million
asking price to buy the property.
It ran a successful fundraising
campaign to raise £1.3 million and secure its future,
thanks to huge support from the public: locally, across the country and
the world.
But the Stables says the landlord has now increased the asking price to
the full amount raised.
After hearing the news Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham said:
“It is with great sadness that I hear the news
today of the eviction of Park Lane Stables. I know from talking to local
residents how cherished the stables are by the community in Teddington,
Twickenham and far beyond. For over 12 years,
their horse riding, carriage driving and other horse-based therapies
for adults and especially children with disabilities have been a
lifeline for many families. Every year, Park Lane Stables provides 3000
sessions for 350 local people with physical, sensory
and learning disabilities, and mental health issues.
“I visited the stables in December, soon after they
had been informed that the site would be put up for sale. Since then,
Natalie and her team have worked tirelessly on the campaign to raise
enough money to purchase the property and save
the charity, and the British public have shown overwhelming generosity.
“Everyone at the stables continues to explore all
options to reverse this eviction or find a suitable alternative site.
Given the importance of these special stables to the local community and
the limited options for development, I urge
the landlord to think again. Park Lane Stables continue to have my full
support in their efforts to retain this valued service within the area.
“
A spokesperson for the Park Lane Stables trustees said:
“Our first concern is for the Park Lane Stables
family and our horses. Thanks to the astonishing support of the public
we now have the means to secure the charity’s future and are now looking
at alternative locations within the borough,
to ensure we can maintain our RDA activities, keep accessibility easy
for all our riders, and allow us to retain our colleagues and
volunteers. We are confident we can do this but sad we have to leave our
current home, which looks set to signal the end of
at least 200 years of horses in central Teddington.”
From June the 1st they will move to Manor Farm Stables in Petersham on a temporary basis.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:56 pm
