A good bet for charity

Les Leech

HORSE-MAD Les Leech is hoping he will be on to a winner when he launches Saddleworth’s first ever horse and cart spectacular on Sunday.

Les (52) is banking on fair weather for a good turn-out at the charity event which will follow a colourful route round the villages.

More than a 20 horse men and women have promised attendance at the Saddleworth drive on Sunday which will raise funds for the Oldham Mountain Rescue Team.

Idea

Father-of-two Les, who lives in Dobcross, is hopeful that if the first event is a success, then the drive could become part of Saddleworth’s summer calendar.

“I got the idea after taking part in the Walkington Victorian Hay Ride in North Yorkshire,” he explained. “It really captured the spirit of yesteryear with riders dressed in period costume and the carts decked out and polished up.

“At first, I thought there would only be a few entrants but I’m expecting up to 20 traps, rigs, drays and exercise carts on Sunday. Some riders are travelling from Yorkshire and Cheshire to attend.

“People will just be wearing ordinary clothes this time as this is something of a test bed for the idea. But if it works, I’m hoping to get support to stage a fully-fledged drive later in the year when horsemen could dress in Victorian or 1920s-themed garb.”

Les will be taking part in the ride with Billy, his 13-year-old Lakeland fell pony, who will be pulling a cream and burgundy coloured cart.

He put the event together with his friend, Jimmy Carter, another local horseman, from Scouthead, whose six-year-old grey cob, Sid, will be pulling a 1920s London trolley.

“I am very pleased with the number of people who have applied to take part. Some are coming from Yorkshire and Cheshire — it’s really captured the imagination.

“If this works, the next event will be by invitation only. But it should add another great attraction for local folk.”

The convoy will set off from The Church Inn, Church Lane, Uppermill, at noon, calling at the King William and Wellington in Greenfield, then past the Farrars Arms, via Manchester Road.

They will then proceed along Platting Road, taking the A62 to The Old Bell at Delph, for coffee before travelling via Dobcross New Road, past the Navigation to the Diggle Hotel and return to The Church Inn at about 3.30pm.

Mick Nield, of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team, said: “We are delighted to support the event and our team will be out in force with collection boxes on the day.”