Speculation has been rife about the future of Teddington's Park Lane Stables since they were forced to leave their home in Park Lane by their landlord and set up a temporary base at Manor Farm near Ham Polo Club.

The Stables mounted a massive SOS (Save Our Stables) crowd-funding campaign and raised over £1.3m with donations from all over the world and generated publicity across TV, radio and print in an effort to buy the stables and keep their home in Park Lane, sadly without success.

Now the incoming Park lane Stables Trustee, Rachel Maund has given a reassuring update on the stables' future.

In a post on social network site NextDoor Rachel wrote:" There have been questions raised on Next Door about what's happening at Park Lane Stables.

"As an incoming trustee who's been closely involved over the course of 2021 I want to respond to anyone who's concerned.

"Firstly, the £1.3m raised by the Crowdfunder campaign has not been touched.

"It was raised to buy our home, and that is what it will do. We have not given up on returning to the Park Lane site, but while negotiation continues it would be inappropriate (for both parties) for us to share details publicly.

"We remain committed to Teddington, our home for 13 years, and to all the participants we serve.

"This has not, and will not, change, even if we are unable to secure Park Lane as our permanent home.

"Regular updates are posted to our website as well as our social channels, and we invite anyone with questions to check there first as the most accurate source of answers.

"Thank you for the support and trust you've placed in us."

The post was met with a supportive response by people who had donated to the fundraiser.

Amy Louise from Hampton Wick wrote: "I supported the campaign to stay in Teddington however, after seeing the fantastic place you're in now I realise I supported finding the horses and stables a safe and lovely home that was accessible to Teddington residents, and that doesn't mean it has to be in Teddington!

"The venue in Ham is so much safer and you can feel this from the moment you step into the gated grounds. No cars, no risk of stranger danger. It's perfect.

"My daughter who has autism and gets stressed by chaos, tight spaces and noise had a much better time at the new stables. I hope you get to stay there! We don't have a car at the moment but it's only a quick bike ride, nice walk or quick bus ride to get to."

North Teddington resident Robert Davies commented: "Thank you Rachel. Transparency is always reassuring.

"Very happy to have donated to the appeal, and very happy to be patient while the charity finds the best long-term home, whether that is in Park Lane or at another site."

Another wrote: '"I'm disappointed the purchase of the Park Lane Stables hasn't gone through - my children learnt to ride there and hoped the Stables could carry on doing all their fantastic work in Teddington. I contributed to the Crowdfunding on that basis.

"However I'm very glad they've been given a temporary home in Ham."