A riding stables in Greater Manchester which burnt down in a fire nine months ago has been largely rebuilt- thanks to local support.
Husteads Riding School in Dobcross is hoping to open its new building, which includes five loose boxes, by the New Year.
Owner Judith Liversidge told H&H: “Riders, members of the community and friends have all been here labouring on the building.
“It wasn’t just the money that helped – having all those people behind us was really uplifting and spurred us on.”
The fire broke out on the evening of 10 February in the hay barn shortly after Mrs Liversidge had done evening feeds.
She was alerted to the fire by a neighbour and was able to free the eight horses, a donkey and a dog from the burning stables before the fire crews arrived.
It took 30 firefighters 36 hours to quench the blaze.
Fifteen of the 23 stables were destroyed, as well as two hay barns, two tackrooms and a feedroom. Although they lost all their hay, Husteads was able to salvage two thirds of its tack.
The riding school has stayed open for business since the blaze despite the limited stabling.
“We weren’t insured and so to raise the money [an estimated £125,00] we held two sponsored rides, cashed in our savings and people gave us donations,” Mrs Liversidge told H&H.
“It would have been too great for me, and my husband to do it alone.”
To thank the people who helped either financially or physically, the couple held a hog roast party last month for nearly 200 hundred guests.
