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Newsletters>
Pony Express 1
December 7, 2009
A Happy Christmas to all our Members!
HOLIDAY OPENING HOURS
The committee would like to extend their best wishes for a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year to everybody at CRDA. The centre will be closed from 10th December, with rides commencing Tuesday 12th January 2010.
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Not Goodbye Leslie, just Au Revoir!
On Thursday 3rd December at the Causeway Coast arena, Leslie Cole, well-loved character and long serving member, hung up his chairman’s hat and said his farewells to a large group of friends and supporters.
“RDA Coleraine has been a part of my life for the past 35 years, and although I regret that I cannot continue in office for health & family reasons, I will still maintain my interest, and drop in from time to time, even if only to say hello, and drink coffee, so keep the sugar handy!”
Our new Chair, Christine Hankin thanked Leslie for his commitment and leadership over the years, and spoke of CRDA’s commitment to developing our existing riders and welcoming new riders into the group. Christine also welcomed the new Sports Development Officer, Michelle Scott.
Michelle joins us from a sports management background and her main role is the development of disability sports through our new facility. She will be liasing with local councils, sporting bodies and groups to achieve this aim.
Denise Doherty, one of our parents, has been appointed to the post of Treasurer. Denise brings with her extensive experience in book-keeping.
Debbie Tasker has been appointed our new Organiser and will play an active role in supporting the smooth running and development of the centre.
Thanks to both for agreeing to accept the posts and the Committee wishes them good luck in their new roles.
We have three new trainee instructors currently working with various rides, Debbie Tasker, Sian Hankin and Julie Boyd. All three are ‘horsey’ people and committed to ensuring that our rider instruction is maintained at the highest level. You can see Sian and Julie here in full Christmas spirit. Don’t be fooled, once in the arena they are actually very responsible!
Good luck to them all in obtaining Instructors Badges soon.
Thanks to Albert for organising the press and guests at this event, which Leslie appreciated so much. Also many thanks to Jean and Mary for the lovely spread of refreshments, which our distinguished guests enjoyed greatly.
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The Annual RDA Christmas Party will be held on 10th December this year, at 10.00am in Coleraine Rugby Club, kindly granted. Come along for fun and festive cheer! Tickets for the Christmas Raffle to be drawn on 17th December are still available. Many thanks to all those who have been selling them.
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North Antrim Riding Club, one of our supporting user groups, have extended an invitation to all RDA riders to join them at their Xmas get together on the 18th of December at the arena, commencing at 7.00pm. We thank them for this very kind offer.
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Leslie’s Farewell Address
Going back to the beginning, I became a member of the Committee in November 1974, and have been so ever since. I have been in the Chair from 1987 – 90 & 1994 – present. So I have been through all the ups and downs – I might add, mostly ups, and very few downs.
I saw the Group established, and was there during the planning & building of the Arena at 155A, now the Cyril Lee Arena, state of the art in its day, and even today quite a few Groups would find it eminently acceptable.
However, legislation changes and increasing demands, brought about the need for reconsideration of our facilities, and after a few false starts, we now have the RDA Causeway Coast Arena. I am pleased to say that with Kevin McCaughan as advisor, and Helen Donnelly of SportNI, who guided us to the position of clearly finding out what was needed, we had no doubts that we would have a successful outcome. All this, together with the introduction of our new Manager/Sports Development Officer this very week, means that I can safely leave the Group in the knowledge that they have facilities suitable for the next 35 years, and the Committee to take them some of that time! And I tell you what! You don’t know the half of what is being cooked up for the future.
But perhaps the biggest shock to the system was the way costs spiralled – I can’t say what the original Arena cost, but for the Causeway Coast, our plans went from £300,000 +VAT for a refurbishment, to £500,000 for a new build – to £1.75 million for this Arena – thanks to SportNI, Coleraine BC for the building & especially to the contributions by the public of the whole district who made it possible for us to buy ‘the site’, all 13 ½ acres. I think I should say, however, that ALL the contributions by these bodies have been used for the build – we have received NOTHING for running costs – they tell me that the telephone bill has gone up for £4 to over £50 monthly BEFORE CALLS – so I am asking that all who have contributed to RDA since 1975, continue to maintain their generosity – because, the premises will lead to increasing opportunities for sporting activities for persons with a disability – at increasing cost. We intend to maintain a ‘no-charge’ service to our clients in all our disability sports – and believe that eventually the ‘other users’ of the Arena, from riding & jumping, through football, to archery, will generate sufficient income to keep the facility viable. That being said, I know that YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IS NEEDED NOW.
I would like to thank the Group and the Committee and especially the Officers for their support and work over the past 6/7 years, culminating in the new Arena – I wish you well for the future, and you can be sure that I will be visiting regularly.
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RDA Open Day 2009
The Open Day was attended by nearly 100 Friends, Parents and Riders. The Special Guests were Mr & Mrs Gregory Campbell, MP, MLA, Ms Fran Warden, Team Ulster Equestrian Co-ordinator for the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games in Limerick, and Mr Chris McFadyan & members of The Causeway Company of Archers, who gave this years 'other users' demonstration.
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Operation Horsebox
Some sad persons unknown broke down the door at RDA Coleraine recently, and stole our green Ifor Williams Horsebox - but left behind its divider. It may not have been a pristine or even very modern box, but it was ours, and the only one we had.
It would be nice to think it might be recovered, but realistically we have to accept that it is gone!
Debbie, one of our members has had an inspiration - Operation Horsebox - inviting work colleagues andof RDA Coleraine to make a small subscription - a £ or two towards the cost of a.new box. You can request an official Sponsorship Form at the Arena or download it from our website.
If lots of people respond, then we don't need much from each. To see how to make your donation and you can make the most of your subscriptions by using the Gift Aid system. You can get a Gift Aid form from our website www.rdacoleraine.org.
Thanks to Radio Ulster & Wendy Austin raising this problem on 11th November, and giving our Secretary the chance to highlight the problems this theft has caused RDA Coleraine, and to talk about the work that is carried out in the Causeway Coast Arena. Thanks also to The Coleraine Chronicle for their sympathetic reporting of our problem.
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Keep up to date with all that’s happening,
www.rdacoleraine.org Riding for the Disabled Association (Coleraine & District Group) Ltd
Registered Company No in Northern Ireland NI068236 – trading as RDA Coleraine
N I Charity/HMRC No XN45690/1
A Member of Riding for the Disabled Association incorporating Carriage Driving.
Registered under Charity Number 244108.
President: HRH The Princess Royal KG GCVO
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