A local Teddington artist is selling her work to try to help save Park Lane Stables, a Riding for the Disabled Association Centre, which faces closure because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Artists and photographer, Jennie Meadows said: "The Teddington-based stables is at serious risk of closure. This essential facility has been forced to temporarily close their doors to the public and cease all activities until further notice in line with government guidelines.

"This means around 350 disabled children and adults will not receive their much-needed equine therapy. Not to mention all their other riders and Pony Club members who will not be able to ride for the foreseeable future.

"Park Lane Stables relies entirely on participants paying for their riding sessions and donations for their survival. They do not have any reserves and all income goes straight into feeding and looking after their horses and ponies. So, without any income, they cannot feed their horses or pay their staff to look after them."

The horses and their riders are a familiar and impressive sight in nearby Bushy Park but all riding and stable activities have ceased over the last three weeks. The stables, which date back to 1830, also provides riding facilities and experiences for children and adults with a wide range of disabilities, learning difficulties and mental health issues and offers the opportunity to ride, carriage drive and feed and care for horses.

The stables in Park Lane said in a short statement: "Following the latest government advice, we regret that Park Lane Stables is now temporarily closed to the public until further notice.

"Please continue to support us by sponsoring a pony for one week so we can continue to feed and care for our horses through these difficult times. Thank you so much!"

Jennie added: "To help them raise funds, I will be teaming up with Park Lane Stables and The Print Foundry to sell my work.

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"This action was initiated when I came across one of the horses, Mini, while walking through Teddington. I found out about the stable's plight and decided to help in a way that would benefit all those involved."

She is selling five images which are abstract photographs of Bushy Park trees for £75 each and the full profits will be donated to the charity which runs the stables.

Jennie said: "I initially produced this collection while studying photography at Richmond Art School. These images were as a result and inspired by my frequent walks through Bushy Park."

The Print Foundry will professionally print and frame these images to order.

Each order will be delivered directly to the purchaser via Royal Mail for £12. Please note this delivery charge will be for each order, up to three items.

To place an order or if you have any questions regarding these prints, please contact Jennie Meadows, via email at [email protected].

See all Jennie's images

For details of Park Lane Stables

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