British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre – Enhancing Community Engagement at Whinney Hill
The British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre (BTRC) has been in operation since 1991 and was the first centre in Europe dedicated to thoroughbred welfare, rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming. The Whinney Hill site was purchased in 2005, and HPA have been working with the BTRC to extend their services.
Whinney Hill comprises of 180 acres of farmland and natural woodland, with only a small amount of this land (focused around the existing buildings) being used by the BTRC for horse rehabilitation, the rest is remaining open countryside and natural woodland.
Images courtesy of the BTRC
Whinney Hill’s expansive landscape includes vast areas of open countryside and natural woodland, with only a small portion dedicated to horse rehabilitation around the existing buildings. In 2022, the BTRC established Whinney Hill Farm CIC, an initiative aimed at broadening the community’s access to this environment. Whinney Hill Farm CIC offers opportunities for groups, schools, and organizations to immerse themselves in nature, promoting mental and physical well-being. These visits educate young people and the community about the countryside, farming, and animals, emphasising sustainability and environmental stewardship. The BTRC is regularly used by many community groups such as the Lune Valley Beekeepers, Bee Adventures and University students.
HPA are delighted to be working with the BTRC to install a new temporary cabin which will be designed to be used as a Community Hub. Currently there is a lack of internal space for groups to use when they visit, and unpredictable weather can impact the services which are provided. The cabin will be a temporary solution until sufficient funds can be sought to provide a permanent building on site. The temporary cabin will offer a much-needed indoor space, ensuring that activities can continue uninterrupted regardless of weather conditions. The BTRC have obtained grant funding from the Rural England Prosperity Fund for this scheme.
