Z1205/207

Female. Handicapped Riding School Volunteer Charity Worker. b. 06.11.1940 SIDE A (00 mins)Born and lived in Willington all her life. Father was a local brick worker and then farmer worker; mother from Kempston. His parents were in a tied cottage, which might explain why he moved to work on the local farm, when married, to secure housing. 40-50 men worked on farms. (05 mins)Mark Young, farmer, owned a number of farms in the area including Grange Farm, near Willington crossroads, now a housing estate. Parents moved to a council house in Chapel Lane in 1957. One brother. Saw paternal grandparents all the while. (10 mins)Both parents were only children so she had didn't have cousins. Grandfather read his bible every day. Maternal grandfather worked at W.H. Allen's Engineering Works. Liked making mechanical toys and clocks in his spare time. Train service from Willington to St. John's Station, Bedford. (15 mins)As children, didn't go away for holidays. 3 shops in Willington: one in Station Road; 2 in the main road, a grocers and a butchers, where the post office is now, plus dairy in Chapel Lane. One pub and a village hall. A market garden nursery where the Garden centre is now. Village primary school in Church Road. Went to a school in Elstow by bus, from 11 until 15. (20 mins)Didn't pass the 11+ exam at 11 because she had been in hospital for many months following an accident when aged 9. Had one leg shorter than the other. Mrs. Godber let her ride a horse regularly. Mrs. Godber, Chairman of Spastics Society in Bedford, founded the Bedford and District Handicapped Riding scheme in 1961. Started with just four children and now 80 riders with disabilities a week enjoy the opportunity, now in purpose-built facilities in Willington. (25 mins)Therapeutic effect of horse riding on her damaged leg. On leaving school, she worked as a groom and gardener for Mrs. Godber, who was married to the MP for Grantham and hunted with horse and hounds. (30 mins)8 years later, a National Riding for the Disabled scheme was formed. (32 mins)End of Side A SIDE B (00 mins)Development of riding for disabled people and moved from Goldington to Moggerhanger. New indoor riding school built after fund-raising. Nearly 100 riders per week. (05 mins)Move to Willington where philanthropist built them an indoor school. Difficulties in attracting young people able to give up sufficient time to maintain heavy workload, after 42 years. Totally voluntary. (10 mins)Maximum of 10 children or adult at one time, requiring a instructor and three volunteers to lead the horse and ensure that the rider doesn't fall off. Rota of 50 volunteers. Bedford and District Handicapped Rider's Association. (15 mins)Need to keep up to 10 horses. Costs £14,000 a year to run centre (2003). Continual fund-raising needed. (20 mins)Long waiting list of disabled people who would like to ride a horse. School opens Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursdays. She is a businesswoman when not running the school. Reflections on changes over her lifetime: labour-saving devices, transport. (25 mins)Reflections on the troubles in the world and seemingly bleak future. Concern over increased housing eating up countryside. Comes from long-living family and expects to live to her nineties. Has infant grandson, which is nice. (29 mins) End of Side B ORIGINAL INTERVIEW 60 mins

18 February 2003

From: 1935 To: 2003

item

Young, Mark,
Allen,
Godber,
Handicapped Riding School

riding instructress, volunteers, charity, brick worker, farmer, Willington Grange Farm Mill, cars accidents, horses, businesses, employment of women, medicine & health physical disability, WILLINGTON, KEMPSTON, Bedford St John's Street, Moggerhanger