| Beginning the Northcote Centre was the original idea of Keith Sanders and his wife Ruth in 1988.
Following a long standing family hobby, the chance to have Ebony back after his working life at Young's Brewery in London; (Ebony was owned by the family from being 3 years old until the age of 7 when he went to London) stimulated the idea of creating something worthwhile. The Centre opened in July 1989.
Faith plays a major part in our life here in Rural Lincolnshire. Without faith and help and guidance from our creator we could not have survived the bad times in the mid 1990's and the "Foot & Mouth" epidemic of 2001.
We only have the money we can earn by our own merit and the help we receive from our supporters and "friends". The care problems of Big Horses with big problems are a constsnt worry.
Development of the Centre has changed direction from its simple beginings; ordained mainly by demand on the family to create a "haven of rest and tranquillity" for visitors and horses alike!
Visitors and the helpers themselves are strongly influenced by close contact with these large, impressively intelligent and calming animals.
One of the highlights of our life was in 1993 when Keith was nominated by his peers for inclusion in the Miller Reference Guide "Best of British Men". This was for his work in bringing horses and people together and improving understanding and enjoyment of heavy horses.
The most memorable and moving "happening " was when Pam Rhodes and the BBC "Songs of Praise" team arrived at the Centre to film part of the 1995 "Harvest Festival" programme.
Today, the Centre is a non profit making organisation, run entirely by voluntary helpers, with the intention of continuing the work already established here. Providing a home and caring facilities for horses with particular needs. We earnestly believe that these horses who have given their all in their working environment, should be allowed to enjoy the remainder of their lives in a happy, caring environment where they can contribute to the happiness of others.
Over the last 19 years we have positively established the fact that the horses love to work. They benefit by being needed. Working within their individual capabilities they have an increased sense of well being and contributing to the general need.
The Centre also caters for horses that are disabled but still able to enjoy a good quality of life under care.
A nucleus of fit working horses undertake most of the day to day tasks around the centre.
One unpaid manager and one unpaid deputy take care of the day to day duties with the assistance of volunteer "friends" of all ages and from all backgrounds. Many of these volunteer helpers travel huge distances each year and many give up their annual holidays to be of assistance
Funding towards our annual operating costs is made up mainly from receipts from visitors, donations from friends, fund raisng activites and income from special events.
In 2003 we created our very first MEDIAEVAL DAY. On the last Sunday of August over 800 people came to see our costume pageant with all characters and horses in authentic mediaeval garb!
The horses loved taking part in the "Riding Skills" with lance sword and javelin against quintain, quoits and various other static targets.
"Mediaeval week end" and a further fully costumed major project are now annual events.
We also take these "entertaining pageants" to other shows around the North east of England to help raise funds and awareness of our work. (Full details available)
Thank you for coming to see our pages. We would like you to visit us when you are in Lincolnshire.
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