A CHARITY that retrains and rehomes former racehorses is settling into its new home for the winter.

New Beginnings moved its operation earlier this year from its former base near Acklam to Bishop Wilton, north of Pocklington.

The new site is on the Halifax estate, and Lady Halifax is a patron of the charity.

Pam Hollingworth, who set up New Beginnings in 2010 with Kevin Atkinson and is now one of the trustees, as well as managing it on a daily basis, said their patron had been very supportive of the move.

“We’ve had to move the house, the office, the stables - we’ve moved lock, stock and barrel,” she said.

“It’s been a massive project. We’re now just preparing for winter, getting some more stables built. We’re converting a grain store into ten new stables.”

The new site has more stables and better facilities, additional hacking and easier access for visitors.

The charity has 26 former racehorses which made the move. “They’ve settled in extremely well,” said Pam.

She added they had help in the move from Skybet graduates, co-ordinated by Michael Shinners, PR manager for Skybet and trustee of New Beginnings.

Supporters of the New Beginnings charity are called the Friends of New Beginnings.

“They are our lifeblood,” said Pam. “Regular monthly donations help us enormously.”

The charity also recently benefited from fundraising by Minster Equine Clinic vets, who did the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge last month.

Ten members of the team undertook the gruelling climbs in 11 hours. They raised £950 for New Beginnings and Alzheimer’s Society.

A spokesman for New Beginnings said: “On behalf of New Beginnings, thank you to everyone who has donated and made the dedicated training and efforts of our hard-working vets worthwhile.”

For more information on the charity, go to nbhorses.org.uk