A NEW path for horse riders through woodland in Rainsbrook Valley has secured Rugby Borough Council (RBC) a prestigious national award.
The council created the mile-long route for riders at Diamond Wood with the support of a £1,000 grant from the British Horse Society’s Paths for Communities Fund.
The path, which gives equestrians safe, easy access to off-road riding, was officially opened in May.
And at the British Horse Society Awards at London’s Saddlers’ Hall, the council was presented with the Access Award for excellence in delivering enhanced equestrian access.
The British Horse Society’s director of access Mark Weston (left) and access officer Mary Stephens (right) joined Coun Lisa Parker to officially open the new riding route in May.RBC environment and public realm spokeswoman Coun Lisa Parker attended the ceremony and was presented with the award by Men Behaving Badly and Doc Martin actor Martin Clunes, president of the British Horse Society.
She said: “The council planted Diamond Wood to create a natural woodland habitat for the whole community to enjoy.
“We were keen to include horse riders in our plans for the wood and, working closely with the British Horse Society, we have delivered a safe, accessible path for riders to enjoy.”
Diamond Wood was planted in the Rainsbrook Valley in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
The wood was one of only 60 nationwide to be chosen for the Woodland Trust’s flagship Jubilee Woods project and was supported by grants from the Forestry Commission worth nearly £300,000.
Horse riders can access the riding route via a specially-constructed horse-friendly gate in Onley Lane.
