ANNEX 3
Trustees Report July 2025
We’ve had a good year since last year’s AGM and have been pleased to continue working with Furzedown School (Winslow) and Woodlands School (previously, Walnuts School, Bletchley). Both schools have given positive feedback over the year, commenting on the children’s behaviour being very different when riding to the classroom, including a reduction in ‘stimming’ and seeming less anxious. Volunteers have also commented on the change in individual children from their initial ride, as they gain in confidence and relax on the pony. Sometimes its simply enough to see their enthusiasm and smiles once on the pony.
As in previous years, we have had a few sessions cancelled due to poor weather conditions or there being insufficient teaching staff available in the schools to enable the children to be brought along. At the end of the Summer Term in 2024, we almost had to disallow a child from riding as he was wearing shorts (in line with RDA safety guidance). Fortunately, we found a pair of trousers (albeit not the best fit!) and have subsequently invested in two pairs of joggers and sweatshirts for emergency use (kept in the RDA cupboard at Mursley Hall Farm).
The children from Furzedown School have been consistently working towards greater independence on their ponies. During the Spring and Summer term they have been confident in collecting and placing items while mounted and following the coaches instructions. Some are even confident to ‘steer’ the their pony with only the coach waling alongside them. Watching the smiles on those progressing to trot is an absolute joy!
The children from Woodlands School have very individual needs. The teaching staff who accompany them are constantly watching, responding to the behaviour of individual children when needed, and suggesting ways in which we can help individuals. They have made laminated picture cards for side-helpers to show those children who benefit from visual instruction. This has proven very helpful to communication and has helped the children with their riding.
We could not run the RDA sessions without our team of dedicated volunteers (including our coaches!). We have seen new volunteers join in the course of the year, and while a couple have not been able to continue due to changes in their lives, we now have a fairly substantial team. We will be continuing the training sessions to develop individuals awareness of what do in specific situations when leading a pony or walking as a sidehelper. We would also like to encourage volunteers to participate on-line training provided on myRDA, especially those on Health and Safety, and understanding autism.
We have been very fortunate for the continued experience and enthusiasm of Jenny Bonham and Sarah Bradbury. This particularly shows through their ability to adapt their planned activities to the individual child. We are grateful to Jenny (and Jane Bridewell) for providing suitable ponies that are presented tacked up and ready for the rides.
ANNEX 3
Irene Purse (RDA Buckinghamshire County Chair) has continued her contact and support for our group. Irene continues to be very positive about us and has introduced a new volunteer who had previously been at Irene’s RDA group.
Once again, we were welcomed into Jenny’s house for a delicious Christmas lunch. It gave a lovely and warming end to the Autumn Term after the last ride, as well as a great opportunity for socialising.
As we are coming towards the last session of the year, preparation is underway for the Wing RDA stall at the Winslow Show. Libby and Denise are already asking for contributions to the raffle and for cakes/savouries to sell. Winslow Show is a good fundraiser and we hope to repeat this again in 2025. It is also a very sociable day in terms of team work to prepare produce for sale and to spending time together while sitting up and running the stall.
While it is good to reflect on the past months, it leads us to think about the next school year and to start thinking about new children who will be selected by the schools.
Anne Hampton, Chair, Wing Group RDA
2nd July 2025
– Wing RDA AGM 2 July 2025 Treasurer’s Report
Cash Summary:
Income 1/4/24 – 31/3/25
£295 from donations (note 1) & Winslow Show £648 (note 2) £396.52 generated from interest deposit account (note 3) Total £1339.52
Expenditure 1/4/24 – 31/3/25
As indicated on cash summary page such as pony hire, certificates, badges and rosettes (note 4), sundries (note 5, see breakdown of sundry expenses)
Total £2513.36
£1339.52 income versus £2513.36 expenditure
= an excess of expenditure over income of £1173.84
Balance Sheet:
Balance as at 1/4/24: Business Acct £1635.69 Deposit Acct £27,044.50 Total Assets £28,680.19 Balance as at 31/3/25:
Business Acct £1065.33 Deposit Acct £26,441.02 Total Assets £27,506.35 (total assets, ie money in business at end of financial year 2025 after expenditure)
(£28,680.19 – £27,506.35 = £1173.84 balances to the excess of exp.over income).