South Tyneside youngster's desperate King Charles letter plea with horse yard at risk

Fearful South Tyneside horse riders have urged King Charles to become their sovereign saviour by stepping into the breech to save their under-threat livery yard.

In a letter, he has been asked to give his Royal seal of approval to their bid to prevent West Fellgate Farm from being lost as part of a proposed 1,200-home development.

Letter to the King

It was written by horse-loving schoolgirl Scarlett Milner, 12, who has been backed by dozens of other riders who use the Fellgate facility as their base.

The farm and surrounding land are included in South Tyneside Council’s Local plan document, its strategy for housing, infrastructure and schools to the year 2040.

The plan is being scrutinised by a government inspector after twice being rejected by councillors, and the outcome of a public inquiry is awaited.

Stable users say the site has an abundance of fields for riding and is a vital resource as it boasts the only indoor show arena for miles around.

Save the livery yard

In her letter, posted first class to Buckingham Palace in mid-March, Scarlett apologises for being ‘informal’, telling the King she had only ‘ever previously written to Santa’.

She asks him to bear influence on Durham Cathedral, which owns part of the farm’s land, due to him being head of the Church of England.

Scarlett, whose dad Jon is Head of School at South Shields Marine School, also told him she wants to be like his niece, Zara Tindall, and ride at an Olympics.

The youngster, who lives around a mile from the farm in Gateshead, has yet to receive a response but said: “I hope he will do what he can to help save the livery yard.

“I have been going for almost four years and have two horses there. It is a lovely place where I can ride and make friends.

“I would love to hear back from the King, I hope he will do all that he can to help.”

Ambition to ride at the Olympics

The letter idea came to Scarlett as she sat watching TV with mum Natalie, 46, a self-employed eyelash technician.

Natalie said: “He was talking about his support for the environment, and I said that we should get him up to the farm.

“I knew that Durham Cathedral owned some of the land, and Scarlett realised he was the head of the Church of England.

“She pulled an A4 sheet of paper from her dad’s notebook and started on her letter. It would be great if King Charles positively responded.

“Scarlett’s ambition is to ride at the Olympics, and she worries about this facility being lost.

“The stables at the farm are vitally important to so many people, we have a great community there and one cherish.

“There are 52 horses there and so many owners fear what will happen if the farm goes - it is a great place.

“Riding is not just a hobby for Scarlett and the other children. It is a place of nurture and personal growth.

“It’s also the only indoor horse-riding arena in South Tyneside and it should be protected.

“It beggars belief that the farm may be lost to this dreadful housing development.”

Guy Sampson, Chief Operating Officer at Durham Cathedral said: “At Durham Cathedral we are committed to carrying out our mission, to serving the needs of our community and to care for and maintain a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“Durham Cathedral remains one of very few major cathedrals which have not introduced an entry charge, a position which helps keep us as accessible as possible to the community we serve and the visitors we welcome.

“We take seriously our role as stewards of the environment, whilst also recognising the responsibility we carry within society to be proactive in seeking to ensure the cathedral’s assets can be used to their full potential.

“Durham Cathedral and partners are pursuing options, including sale of land through engaging with the Local Plan process, to secure the cathedral’s future.”

Buckingham Palace did not respond to a request for comment.