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Riding charity targeted in suspected arson attack

Richard Lawson
BBC News, Bristol
Cat McCartney-Kitson Avon Fire and Rescue Service engines in a scorched field with two firefighters using hoses to extinguish the blaze.Cat McCartney-Kitson
Hundreds of pounds worth of hay was destroyed at The Avon Centre in Bristol

A riding charity that helps improve the physical and mental health of disabled and disadvantaged people has seen almost four acres of hay destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

Two fields at the Avon Centre in Henbury, Bristol, were targeted on Tuesday evening, with the charity saying "multiple fires were set deliberately".

Freshly cut hay it was waiting to bale ready for use during the winter was set alight, rendering the land useless for grazing and hacking.

A fundraising page to replace the hay lost in the blaze has now reached almost £3,000.

The centre, which operates under the umbrella of the national charity Riding for the Disabled, has been running for 40 years and supports about 280 people annually.

It provides people with physical benefits such as physiotherapy by helping them to improve their posture by sitting upright on a horse.

The fire happened at some point between 17:30 and 18:00 BST and destroyed two thirds of two fields.

A view of Jocelyn (l) and her mother Lilias (R) along with stable manager, Cat McCartney-Kitson with a horse based at the centre.
The centre been running for 40 years and supports about 300 people annually

Cat McCartney-Kitson, the stable manager, said: "We have lost valuable hay which we grow ourselves, to feed our herd of horses over the winter - horses which provide riding lessons to disabled and disadvantaged riders from the local and wider Bristol community.

"In addition to the loss of hay, the fields that have been damaged are part of our hacking track and cross country field.

"This is hired out to riders, to raise valuable income for our charity."

The charity praised those who helped extinguish the blaze following fears it could have spread to nearby woodland.

Ms McCartney-Kitson said: "We would like to extend a huge heartfelt thank you to our bordering neighbours who spotted the smoke and called the fire brigade.

"We are so grateful to have many wonderful supporters in our local community."

Avon and Somerset Police said it is investigating the suspected arson attack and is appealing for CCTV, dashcam and doorbell footage.

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