Timeline Stories

On 30th June 1998 the Centre was honoured once again, when HRH The Princess Royal, President of the RDA, returned to accept on behalf of the Centre, the gift of the freehold certificate from Bryant Homes, Thames Valley Ltd. 

The Centre was at a turning point in its history as the hospital in whose grounds it stands closed in 1997. Changes were bound to take place. The ex-hospital ground

In 1988 we had raised a further £44,000 in order to build a stable block for nine ponies with a feed store attached. This block opens directly into the School,

November 1983 saw the completion of an extension which was to house the toilets and office/tack room at a cost of £10,000.

The Official Opening of The Elisabeth Curtis Centre for Disabled Riders was performed by H.R.H. The Princess Royal, President of the Riding for the Disabled Association, on April 19th 1983. 

On the 1st October 1982, the Bromham Group amalgamated with the Glenbrook Group, which had been formed at premises of Glenbrook Farm, and began operating as one group under the name of the Elisabeth Curtis Centre For Disabled Riders.

 By 1981 the Group were riding two mornings per week increasing the numbers of riders from 25 to 40.  Riders, ponies and the coffee were still having to be transported to Kempston.  Continuous fund raising covered not only the running costs of the

In 1978 ‘Plans for Expansion’ were put into operation.  The aim was ‘to build a covered school on ground leased from Bromham Hospital’. The long-term objective, becoming a Riding Centre which could be used by several groups during the week, and which would

Up until 1977 the Bromham Group ( as it was called) solely relied on ponies brought in by their owners until the group were able to make their first purchase,

The early years were tough, using assorted ponies brought by their owners from all around the county and the riders being ferried from Hospital to Riding School by minibus. Weathering the difficulties admirably, the number of