In early April the local press carried a report "A magnificent life-size sculpture of a horse with its handler has been unveiled as a new addition to a popular tourist attraction near Coalville" thus marking yet another successful achievement by the Trust.Visitors inspecting our Horse Gin and headstocks on the Gorse Field often asked when we would get our horse, so we had considered installing a horse sculpture, adjacent to the Gin, to commemorate the effective service of horses to the mining industry.

We dismissed our first idea of having a wicker horse as being vandal-prone.Then,becoming aware of funding from the National Forest's Landshapes Project, we decided on a metal sculpture and, in searching for a suitable sculptor, we discovered local men Phil Eames and Trevor Cooper, of "Sculptura" at Moira Furnace. They agreed to quote for a scheme based upon an 18th century illustration of horses operating a gin, particularly selecting a "lively horse and its handler."

We accepted the third quotation of £2,750 and Planning consent was given in time for the sculptors to begin their creative task in early January 2006.

Starting with the horse's legs, the body and head were soon completed, providing an exciting impression of the "Lively Horse" they had first visualised.

Next, having carefully studied appropriate working clothing, the handler was fabricated and was attached to the horse to complete the sculpture. The sculptors required the horse to have a rusted finish and, this having been achieved, the sculpture was mounted on a concrete base, previously made by Trust volunteers, ready for the proposed unveiling.

Sophie Churchill admires the sculpture.

Sophie Churchill, the newly appointed Chief Executive of the National Forest, readily agreed to unveil the sculpture at a ceremony on 2nd April. Our local MP, local government representatives and officials, representatives of the mining industry, members of the Trust and members of the public were all invited to attend.

The opening of the ceremony.

Both the National Forest Company and the Trust contacted the Media and the event was advertised on the Trust's Website. We received both local and national coverage by the BBC.

Lucy launches the horse!

The Chairman of the Trust welcomed the large number of people attending. He noted that the Trust's continuing development was both nationally and locally recognized. He invited Sophie Churchill to "unveil" the landmark sculpture (by removing a horse blanket) and Lucy Ashworth, of Landshapes, was given the privilege of "launching" it. Those attending were invited to partake of refreshments served at the nearby Hough Windmill.

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