Santa parade comes under starter’s orders at Hamsterley

THE dale’s equine enthusiasts are being urged to sign up to a charity ride in December.
Now in its second year, the Mounted Santa Parade is returning for the annual horse ride at Hamsterley. Last year this fun, festive morning raised more than £600.
Barnard Castle and Teesdale Riding Club (BCTRC) and Hamsterley Riding Association (HRA) are supporting the event, which raises vital funds for Butterwick Hospice.
Hospice fundraiser Helen Kirby said the ride would cover about five miles, following a route through Hamsterley Forest and village.
The event takes place on Sunday, December 11, starting at 11am from Hamsterley Tennis Courts.
Registration takes place between 10am and 10.45am.
“We will return to the village for bacon buns kindly provided by The Cross Keys,” added Ms Kirby.
“The route will be on roads and tracks so all horses must be road safe and happy in big groups at walk and trot.
“Parking is limited please share a horse box if possible.”
Ms Kirby added: “The route is weather dependent and may be postponed – this will be notified on the riding clubs and Butterwick Hospice Facebook pages.”
Entry is £15 which includes Santa suit, bacon butty and rosette, provided by White House Tack & Feed Ltd.
All proceeds will go to support patient services in rural areas provided by Butterwick Hospice, at Bishop Auckland.
Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland provides palliative care services to the Durham Dales and Sedgefield areas.
The hospice provides day care services from its base in Bishop Auckland and also in the Richardson Hospital, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield Community Hospital and Weardale Community Hospital, in Stanhope.
A home care team is available day or night 365 days a year and Butterwick Hospice also provides a mobile aromatherapy service for multiple sclerosis patients.
Services provided to the patient and their families/carers include complementary therapies, family support, counselling and bereavement care.
All services are provided free of charge to ensure that hospice care is available to everyone.
Fundraising is a vital and essential element of ensuring the hospice is always there to serve the local community.
For more details on the Mounted Santa Parade, go to www.butterwick.org.uk/mountedsantaparade
Alternatively, contact Ms Kirby on 01388 660644, email helenkirby@butterwick.org. uk