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Bracken and Bramble put their hooves up!Redwings is looking forward to the arrival of two special Shire horses later this yearWe’re very excited to be able to tell you that after the Summer we’ll be giving a home to two gorgeous Shires, who have been owned by and working for Bracknell Forest Borough Council for 16 years. They will be retiring to Redwings in September for a well-deserved rest! Bracken and Bramble are about to embark on a ‘farewell Summer’ as they are much loved by the general public in Bracknell who see them most days. But we are sure our supporters will join us in assuring the people of Bracknell that Bracken and Bramble will be much loved at Redwings, and we hope people will make the journey to come and see visit them next Summer. A big welcome is promised!
So who are these big-hearted fellows who are looking forward to life in Norfolk? Well, Bracken is a 17.3hh bay gelding who is 22 years old. He was one of the lead horses when Colin Horler of Radford Shires broke the world record when one man drove twenty horses! Bramble is a little younger, at 19, and is also a 17.3hh bay gelding. They were purchased by Bracknell Forest Borough Council and on their arrival, a competition was held in a local newspaper to name them. Since then Bracken and Bramble have become local celebrities, regularly appearing in the local press. They love people and fuss, as you’d expect! They have become a common sight around the Bracknell Forest area since they started working for the borough in May 1992. Their work included collecting landscaping waste, pulling grass-cutting equipment and watering the town centre’s floral displays. At weekends ‘the boys’ regularly attended school fetes and fun days and at Christmas they have given even Father Christmas a ride to his grotto!
After an initial assessment period, Redwings is hoping to give Bracken and Bramble a few months' rest over the Winter before they go to our Caldecott Visitor Centre in Norfolk next season. It’s open every year from April to October so the Shires will be able to meet the public and perhaps even keep their ‘hooves in’ by taking visitors for gentle horse drawn tours of the site. As soon as they arrive – no doubt making a ‘big entrance’ – we’ll let you know, plus update you as to how they are settling in. In the meantime, we wish them a lovely Summer when we know they will get lots of pats and fuss - they deserve it! Do you live in Bracknell and have fond memories or pictures of Bracken and Bramble from the last 16 years? We’d love to know! You can email us by clicking here >>>>>>, or write to us at: Communications Team, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Hapton, Norwich, NR15 1SP. (We may wish to publish your words or photos to share your experiences on this website or in our newsletter.) | 
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