A PEMBROKESHIRE stud farm was advised by a Welsh Government minister to seek support from a fund for charities or zoos after falling through the cracks in the Welsh Government’s business support scheme.
Pembridge Stud, in Hebrandston, received the advice in a letter from Wales’ Economy Minister, Ken Skates, after an intervention on their behalf by local AM Angela Burns.
The Stud is not eligible for either support package as it is neither a charity nor a zoo.
The Stud was started many decades ago to conserve the critically endangered Cleveland Bays. There are only 300 of the rare breed left in the UK.
There are now Stallions bred by the stud in America Australia Europe and New Zealand and progeny competing around the Globe.
Since moving to Pembrokeshire, other ventures have developed to support the breeding programme.
Carriages in the Park, well known for pictures Horse Drawn Weddings, Tenby Carriage Rides during the season and, most recently, the Magic Pony Kingdom ,where children can come and enjoy the ponies!
All this has ceased due to COVID-19 and the business is now fundraising until it can open again.
To keep afloat, business owner Kate Telford has launched an online auction to raise funds which would help keep the long-established stud farm open.
She told The Herald: “Angela had approached him to ask if he use his discretionary powers to review what support can be offered to me.
“There was sufficient information for him to have ascertained that my businesses were based around working horses.
“Any of us in Wales whose businesses are based around animals will be in the same unfortunate position as myself.
“A working animal is a business asset. Unlike other businesses that have been forced to close. Some businesses can just close the door. We can’t. Our business assets are living and breathing.
“Horses still have to be fed, cared for and exercised. They need access to vets and farriers. Stabling, bedding and grazing, has to be supplied.”
Ms Telford explained she had used her pension to keep the horses properly looked after but with the tourist season – at best – postponed that could not continue indefinitely.
“Like many of us who are self employed, I have fallen through the net on all the schemes.
“The businesses are both iconic and seasonal, they are part of the fabric of Pembrokeshire tourism. What we earn in the summer carries us through the winter.
“This can now not possibly happen this year, so assistance is urgently required.”
The fundraising auction can be found here:
Any help from the generous Pembrokeshire public would be greatly appreciated.
