Newsletter No 81 Fforest Uchaf Farm. Maindy Road, (Maendy) Penycoedcae, Pontypridd. R.C.T, Wales. UK. CF37 1PS Tel; 01443 480327 info@pitponies.co.uk www.pitponies.co.uk www.sponsorapony.co.uk Open to visitors; May/Oct=Sunday 11am – 4pm. Weekdays 10am – 2pm. Closed Saturdays Nov/April= by appointment, www.visitpitponies.co.uk Adults £4:00 OAP/Children £2:00 or £10:00 per car. Groups/Schools/Clubs by appointment. Special needs visitors please telephone to discuss your needs. NB All visitors it is always advisable to telephone 01443 480327 or 07798584735 before you visit.
PROVIDING TENDER LOVING CARE TO NEEDY HORSES & PONIES
What a summer that was!
The Horses & Ponies found a place down in the
woods where they could hide from the sun. The dry ground under the trees soon broke up to make multiple dirt baths just what ponies’ love. They did most of their grazing in the cooler parts of the day. The flies out in the sun were torment for them. We put fly masks on all we could and spent many hours hunting for the ones they had rubbed off and putting them back on.
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Mr & Mrs J Fisher have told us about a new Mining Art Gallery at Market Place, Bishops Auckland, Co’Durham DL14 7NP. It will be a permanent home for the Gemini Collection of Mining Art gathered by Dr Robert Manners OBE and Gillian Wales. Computer users can find out more at the auklandproject.org or you can write to the gallery. GDPR. (AKA the boring bit that we have to tell you) At Fforest Uchaf, it is important to us that you trust us with your personal data so we want to make sure that you understand what personal data we hold about you and how we collect, store and process it. Personal data is information about you that can help us identify you, such as your name, address, phone number or email address. We obtain information about you when you use our services, for example, when you contact us about our services, if you directly give us any information via forms, if you make a donation or purchase or if you sign up to receive newsletters. The nature and the type of personal data we collect will depend on why you are giving it to us. We are committed to protecting and safeguarding your personal data and as part of this commitment; we have updated our privacy policy to meet the high standards of the new European data protection law, known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Our updated privacy policy explains what personal data we collect about you, what we use your personal data for, how we protect your personal data and your rights under this new law. There is a copy of our Privacy Policy on all our websites that you can look at or download. If you would like to request other information, adjust your supporter preferences or no longer receive any communications with your supporter number all requests must be in writing so please email info@pitponies.co.uk or write to Fforest Uchaf, Maindy Road, Penycoedcae, Pontypridd. CF37 1PS. If you use a Debit or Credit card with us we shred/destroy any information used immediately after successfully processing the payment. As always, Thank you! for being part of the friends of the Ponies community and we look forward to seeing and hearing from you soon!
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A pony working at the same colliery as Dylan that they would not let us have.
Pit Pony Dylan is not
very well at the moment, He has a touch of laminitis (a bit like Gout in people) which causes painful feet. He is confined to an area without grass for a while and having soaked hay. Soaking reduces the sugars that are the culprit. . The changes of the seasons can be difficult for equines to cope with. Old age seems to magnify the problems. The grass is still growing and very rich. We have a few with mucky tails from too much rich grass. Katja is back from her summer holidays, home with her family in Germany and comes on a Sunday morning to be our Horse hairdresser. We expect Dylan to be fine soon. He looks a bit moth eaten as he is getting his winter coat like many of the native ponies he will soon have a thick woolly coat to see him through the cold wet winter. The flies this summer were beyond and we bought good quality Fly Masks for the horses & Ponies. Poor old Dylan was extremely fearful of his fly mask and it took us quite a while to persuade him that it was nothing to worry about and that he we was not going back underground. Many of the ponies took to them like ducks to water. Some others had them off in no time at all.
Rocket has summer fly trouble every year with his
Rockets missing eye.
missing eye and we thought he would appreciate his. However, he destroyed his brand new one totally ripping the hem and edge banding off the mesh using a knobbly tree. Angela spent her summer looking for the missing masks and re-fitting them where possible. Rocket would have none of it. We always try to help with lotions and potions many are frightened by the hiss of the spray bottles and it is quite a task but with patience and love we get the job done.
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https://www.giveasyoulive.com/join/pit-pony-sanctuary have come up with a new app for iphone and ipad users. Designed to help you shop faster and with less fuss from your phone or tablet. Give as you live currently has 27 supporters for the ponies who have raised £323.91 for the ponies without any cost to themselves. Well done!
What is your fondest memory of a horse? Please tell us. Aquarobics for those of you, who do not know, is an exercise work out in the shallow end of the swimming pool even non-swimmers come. Angela has been going for years as she finds the exercise regime just right for her. Chatting to other ladies one night the subject of Hip replacements came up. Angela has two new titanium hips. She asked another lady how she thought she had damaged her old hips. The reply came back “Show jumping!” Angela asked how is the horse? She replied “Oh I don’t know, I sold her on”
Bella the dog instinctively looks after the chickens.
She keeps the fox away and the winged predators. She is very alert and does a good job. When we have a hen with chicks, the hen keeps them all warm until they are big enough to go off on their own. However, the memory of a warm mums cuddle lingers for a long time. Here some chicks has adopted Bella for a nice warm up.
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News Views and Thank you’s!
Donations have recently been received in memory of; Cheryl Roden’s Mum oO-0-Oo Mr & Mrs Nagle’s Westie “Sandy”
Mr Chris Rosling wrote; “I was given your address by the Bevin Boys Association to which I subscribe. My father Geoffrey was a Bevin Boy from I believe 1943 to 1948. He trained at Oakdale colliery and I think worked at Wyllie Colliery near Blackwood. He lodged in Pontllanfraith with Tom Sadler and his wife. Dad worked with Tom. I was privileged to meet them both in 1967, which was during a trip to family in Merthyr Tydfil. Dad and Tom took me to the Pit which was little different from 20 years earlier. Mum and Dad knew Alan Lane who also lived near Bristol his widow Anne in very much involved in the association and Mum and I attend the South West re-union. Sadly, now both my parents have passed away but I attended the re-union in May this year though here only one Bevin Boy attended. I hope these stamps enclosed will be put to good use and I will send more as I get them. It was good to read of the care you give to the Horses & Ponies.”
Mrs Beryl Ungate wrote; “Please find enclosed cheque for £25.
I raised the money by selling jewellery and would be pleased if you would print my name under donations in your next Newsletter then my friends will know I have sent the money to a good cause. Regrettably my old friend and colleague Warwick Taylor an ex Bevin Boy who was associated with The Big Pit has had a stroke and is confined to care so we will not be able to visit you again.”
Lloyds Bank. Our previously donated Bank shares now held by the Trust have just provided a £12.98 dividend for the Ponies.
Easyfundraising.org/pitpony
sent £97.62 for up-to 31st Dec 2017, £93.30 for 1st Jan till 31st March 2018 and £112.32 for commission on all the things shopped on-line for by you for 1st April up to 30th June. Thanks to all you on-line shoppers who have signed up. Bless your little cotton socks! They are currently offering an extra £5 for the ponies if you visit www.easyfundraising.org.uk/referrals/pitpony sign up and get shopping straight away.
Cheryl Roden wrote to ask our thoughts on the Purple Poppy day in memory of animals killed in war. Roy says we are such a small Charity we could only sell a very few but a very poignant idea..
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C.A.Polly wrote: “Please find enclosed cheque for £15.
I sold an old Belfast white sink from my garden and have split the proceeds between yourselves and a Cat Charity. I am hoping to have another de-clutter soon and will send some more money.” Yipee! We have put three from our garden up for sale to! Ms M.Gomm wrote:” My Late Grandmother was from Pontypool. Grandfather’s family took Pit Props to South Wales with an extra horse to pull up the hills and help hold back going down them. They hauled from Gloucestershire’s Wye Valley and on one journey he met his wife to be. Grandfather kept working Horses, Land and Stables. My Mother (their first child). I was born in 1936. Very few cars around then, -no NHS-you paid to see the Doctor-war yearsrationing. The animals in the war memorial in London is very moving. War Horses! Maybe something could be done for the Pit Ponies? Hours underground in terrible conditions. Did vets ever visit the ponies underground?” ( Not to my knowledge says Roy)
Janice Everest wrote; “ I have been saving my 20p pieces for many years in a very large Piggy Bank. As my local Bank is closing this month and the piggy bank is full right up I decided it was time to empty it and take it to the Bank. The coins were very heavy. I am 87 and had to drive 4 miles to my nearest at Hailsham. I put the coins in £10 bags and put them in my shopping trolley, as they were so very heavy. I wheeled them from the car to the Bank. What a good old shopping trolley eh? They weighed and checked them in to £120. I saved all of them for the Pit Ponies and I am so pleased to send the cheque for them. Wishing you all the very best at Fforest Uchaf. PS I love your Newsletters and am so glad you do not waste money on glossy brochures but simply tell the ponies stories yourselves. I was so sad when Jake passed away-but what a wonderful last few years he had being so loved and cared for.
The British People’s Party. sent a kind donation of £500 and asked what we thought of ritual slaughter. Roy says, It is a horrific death for the animal. Maybe one-day the religious leaders of these religions that call for such practices, will call for an end to such cruelty in the name of their God. It is my own personal opinion to which I hope I am still allowed to have.
Norman wrote; “ Hello I expect you are pleased that the weather this summer has been good. I often think of you and the ponies in the long wet winters. I used to be a volunteer working with horses. Trudging through the snow, losing a welly boot in the mud resulting in a frozen wet foot/feet, fingers frozen to the core. In the summer flies in my ears, up my nose, mozzie bites, horse fly bites. Now due to a medical condition I have been forced to give it all up. Miss it like mad! strange? Miss the lovely smell of the horses. Oh well! Now I have been on a bit of a fundraising spree and sold many odds n ends raising a total on £51. which I enclose made up with a donation to £75. I hope my Sponsor Horse Winston is well? Can you please give him a few extra carrots from Norman? It’s only nice people like yourselves that make the world a good enough place to live in! PS In the summer, I attend a few stem rallies and country shows. Would you have any small leaflets etc. I could offer people to take and maybe send a donation.” Angela says; when I was a girl I was forbidden to go to the stables. I still went and couldn’t understand how my Mum always knew I had been. I guess I stank!
Hay shortage? There is some serious talk about a Hay and Straw shortage this winter due to the dry spring/early summer. Certainly, there are adverts seriously profiteering,
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This seasons Special Offer. The Pit Pony Sanctuary Laser engraved Pen just £3:50 Including Post & Packing. A classic twist action retractable, black medium point ball pen, laser engraved in gold on a bottle green metal case with Gold coloured appointments. Bearing the legend “The Pit Pony Sanctuary” “ +44 ( 0) 1443 480327” “ web: www.pitponies.co.uk”
A little Taste of Wales. Traditional Welsh White Cheesecake Flan. “Gwyn Gaws Fflan”. For the pastry; 125g/4oz wholemeal flour. Pinch of salt. 30g/1oz butter. 30g/1oz white vegetable fat For the filling; 125g/4oz Caerphilly cheese (crumbled) 125g/40z soft Welsh goat’s cheese. 142ml carton soured cream. Pinch of dry mustard powder. Salt & freshly ground black pepper. 2 level tablespoons plain flour. 3 x medium eggs. Salad leaves to serve. 18cm/7inch sandwich or flan tin. Method. Make the pastry; Tip the flour into a bowl and add the salt, add the butter, add the white vegetable fat, and rub in until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add about two tablespoons water and bind together into a firm pastry dough. Roll out on a lightly floured surface and use it to line the pan. Prick the base and chill for 15 minutes. Set the oven to heat gas mark 7 or 220C. Heat a baking sheet in the oven for 5 minutes then bake the pastry case blind for 12-15 minutes until cooked. Remove from the oven and put aside, reduce the temperature of the oven to moderate, Gas mark 4 or 180C. To make the filling; Beat together the Caerphilly cheese, goats cheese, soured cream, mustard powder, seasoning and flour, then lightly beat in the eggs. Pour the mixture into the flan case, return the tin to the baking sheet in the centre. Place the centre of the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the filling has just set in the centre. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for at least 10-15 minutes, then transfer the flan to a wire rack to cool completely. To serve; Serve the flan warm or cold garnished with some salad leaves. (NB not suitable for freezing) Mwynhewch y pryd! (Enjoy your meal
A typical Pit Ponies supper.
1 measure Veteran Mix, 1 measure Hi Fibre cubes, 1 measure chaff, ½ measure crushed oats, Vitamin & Mineral supplements, stirred not shaken, garnished with sliced apples, carrots and mints, served in a large bowl in a nice dry warm stable. Mmmmmnn!
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This is a picture of our Charity stall at Twinwood music festival 2018 at the RAF base where Glen Miller flew from in WWII. We need your help to continue our fundraising this way. We are there turning your donated jewellery, clothes bric a brac etc. into cash to help feed and care for the ponies. The show attracts thousands over the three days and we have a chance to get some of the visitors visiting our stall to help us help the ponies. Please ask your friends and contacts to search out some items for us. Keep an eye out for clothing patterns with the old pounds shillings and pence prices as that is a good guide they are the right age for the shows. This year was a wash out. Although many people came, it was wet and windy so browsing the stalls was only for the brave or during the odd dry spells as when this picture was taken. From our side of the stall we see many people enjoying dressing up. Brigadiers, Generals, Giggly Land Army Girls, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen. People dressed for the 1920’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Uniforms, Spiv suits are popular for the men, 1950’s Rock n Roll style skirts, Skirt suits, uniforms are popular for the girls, Many of the other stalls have reproduction stuff. We have a little rail of genuine articles you have donated and a few bags, hats, gloves etc. Most of the stall is a display of your donated jewellery watches etc. The two flags with Spikes portrait on in the picture ask visitors to sponsor a pony. The round white table at the front is a display of hand-decorated horseshoes and flyers etc. telling of the Charities work. If you fancy a day out or camping weekend tickets sell out most years so book it sooner rather than later
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