The carriage driving section of Riding for the Disabled is looking for new stabling for its horses and secure sheds for its carriages and tack.

The charity has been based at Manor Farm at West Overton, near Marlborough, for ten years but must move by the end of the summer.

Land owner Michael Maude, whose late wife Priscilla was instrumental in the RDA carriage driving finding a new home at Manor Farm, has asked the organisers to seek a new home saying that, at the age of 75, he is tidying up his affairs and wants to ensure the group has a secure home for the future.

Mr Maude, who has farmed at Overton for ten years and previously lived at Etchilhampton, said: “I have loved having the horses here but I am at an age where I have to review my future.”

He said his wife, who died four years ago, had loved horses and rode in her young years and about 20 years ago took up carriage driving.

Mr and Mrs Maude invited the White Horse Carriage Club to use their land and events are still held at Manor Farm several times a year using the extensive network of tracks the couple had installed.

Maggie Lewis runs the group with the help of a posse of volunteers, some of them trained drivers. They run three carriages, two of which are adapted to take wheelchairs.

The group provides driving experience for a range of disabilities.

Mrs Lewis said the disabled members were able to get out into the country and learn to drive the carriages, giving them a wonderful boost to their self-confidence and self-esteem.

Mrs Lewis said: “In good weather we can get out on the tracks and the fields on the farm and we can also get onto quiet lanes, onto the byways and into the bluebell woods at West Woods.”

She said that although the group was sad that it was having to find a new home it was indebted to Mr Maude and his late wife for welcoming them to Manor Farm and allowing them to use its fields, barns and stables for so long.

The RDA carriage driving group was originally set up about 20 years ago at the former Lackham College and then moved to Stonar School, near Melksham, before Mrs Maude invited them to Manor Farm.

The group has three horses in all – two French Comtois called Perrine and Prophet and a cob called Drummer.

If anyone knows of any premises the group might be able to use for stabling and storage they should contact Mrs Lewis on 07917 406905 or e mail kennetvalleydrivinggroup@gmail.com