Ref.10585BRYAN Read, the proprietor of the Pewsey Vale Riding Centre, at Stanton St Bernard, near Pewsey, was able to present £1,200 in cheques to local charities last week following recent fundraising events.

Mr Read handed over cheques for £300 each to Joyce Hall on behalf of Stanton Village Hall and Jean Perry for All Saints' Church. The Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal will benefit from the other £600 raised.

The cash represents the proceeds of a gymkhana and summer dance held at the riding centre at the end of July. Hundreds of local people turned up for the evening event, where the live band Episode 2 was playing. The evening was sponsored by Jeremy Sumbler of Covered Occasions Marquees and the Barge Inn at Honeystreet. Fred Swift organised the barbecue.