Sadly, in just a weeks time Towerlands Park will be closing its doors and will no longer be running equestrian events at the venue, with the demolition of the stable block planned for the 1st September and the golf side of the business closing early next year.
Hooked on Horses contacted Charley Nathan of Equestrian Events Ltd (who currently run the shows at Towerlands), in the hope that the closure of Towerlands was just a rumour, but sadly the news is true and as of 1st September 2011 Towerlands will be closing.
“It was a big shock to us all, when we were told,” said Charley, adding “The date has been set for the demolition of the stable block for the 1st of September.”
This will also affect many other events which were due to take place at Towerlands, such as The Monty Roberts Autumn Tour which will be held on the 24th September at Brook Farm Training Centre in Stapleford Abbotts, and The National Driving Championships which has had to be relocated to Addington Manor near Buckingham on the 1st of October.
Equestrian Events Ltd will continue to host and run shows, and as from 1st September they will be based at Norton Heath Equestrian Centre. The affiliated dates will not change but please contact Equestrian Events to find out about the unaffiliated events date changes.
“We are very upset that Towerlands will be closing,” added Charley, “but also excited about our events being held at Norton Heath. As one door closes another opens – as they say!”
Visit Equestrian Events Ltd website by clicking here to keep up to date with the latest news and show dates from Equestrian Events.
So what does this mean for equestrianism in Essex?
With another prestigious Essex venue up for sale, Norton Heath Equestrian Centre near Chelmsford in Essex, what could this mean for horse owners in and around Essex? It’s worrying to say the least, especially for those who regularly compete on the Essex circuit.
As Hooked on Horses reported in June (For the full story please click here) Norton Heath Equestrian Centre is up for sale – let us hope that the new owners, whoever they may be, will continue to keep the property as an equestrian venue, and snap it up before private buyers or developers step in.
Zoe Napier reports that Norton Heath EC is now up for sale at a revised price of £3,000,000. Visit www.inthecountryside.com to see Norton Heath Equestrian Centre.
Let us know your thoughts and please send us your memories and photographs of Towerlands over the years for the next issue of the magazine.
Email to abbey@hookedonhorses.co.uk
Voice your opinions on the ever-growing Facebook pages dedicated to Towerlands called ‘Save OUR Towerlands’ by clicking here. or here.
