06 July 2026

Redwings Ambassador Olivia Bowen to open new mural at Redwings Ada Cole

A new artwork celebrating our Ada Cole Visitor Centre is being officially opened by TV personality, businesswoman and charity ambassador Olivia Bowen on Saturday (11th July) and you are invited to attend.

The mural, painted by Stacey Thompson, depicts some of our former much-loved and remembered rescued residents, alongside the centre’s namesake herself, Norfolk-born Ada Cole, who dedicated her life to improving horse welfare after the First World War.

The centre is open from 10am and the ribbon-cutting with Olivia and Stacey will take place at 11.30am.

Olivia said: “I feel so privileged to have been asked to officially unveil this beautiful new artwork. Redwings Ada Cole is my local sanctuary, and I’ve been here many times with my family.

“We sponsor Ada Cole resident Adoption Star Zippy and will be taking the opportunity to visit him and the centre’s other gorgeous horses, ponies and donkeys again on Saturday too.”

The mural, in the memorial garden, has been generously donated by the artist. Stacey said: "I feel incredibly honoured to have designed and hand-painted this mural in such a special part of the centre.

“The mural tells a story across time. On the left, I’ve depicted the role horses played during WW1 as a tribute to their strength, loyalty, and the often-forgotten sacrifices they made alongside humans.

“At the centre is a portrait of Ada Cole, accompanied by words from a sonnet written by a close friend, capturing something of her spirit and dedication.

“On the right, the story becomes more personal to the sanctuary. I’ve included some of the much-loved horses, ponies, and donkeys who have been rescued by Redwings and cared for there, who have since passed. Including them felt like a way to honour their lives and the joy they brought to so many. For me, this mural is not only about remembrance, but also about hope, how compassion carries forward, and how these stories still matter."

Ada Cole Memorial Stables was founded in 1932 and so named in memory of Ada Cole, and some of the first residents were war horses brought back from fighting overseas. The charity merged with us in 2005, and Redwings Ada Cole Visitor Centre is currently home to 70 rescue residents like Gelderlander Zippy, who is available to sponsor through the Redwings Adoption Scheme.

If you’d like to adopt like Olivia, please head across to our Adoptions page.

Olivia with Adoption Star Zippy

Date: Saturday July 11th 2026
Start time: 10:00am
Location: Redwings Ada Cole, Essex
Audience: Suitable for all ages
Duration: 6 hours
Price: Free
Tickets:

You can sponsor Zippy too

Sponsoring a horse, pony or donkey at Redwings is a fantastic way to support our charity and make a new friend in the process. From just £2 per month, you will receive an adoption pack and regular updates from your Adoption Star about their adventures at the Sanctuary!