Beth Grant has been involved with Avon Riding Centre for many, many years and has been Chairman of our Trustees since 1989. She has contributed a huge amount of passion, energy, commitment and time to developing the Avon Riding Centre to be the fantastic facility that it is today. Recently Beth has been very busy in her career as a freelance education consultant, involving lots of overseas travel, often for extended periods of time. She feels that although her passion for the valuable work of the Centre has in no way diminished she is unable to continue to devote the amount of time that is required to an increasingly demanding role. It is with typical thoughtfulness that at the Trustees meeting on Tuesday July 16th Beth proposed that she would stand down so that a new Chairman can be sought.
The Trustees accepted Beth’s proposal with some sadness and invited Neil Truelove, one of our Trustees, to take-over from Beth as Interim Chairman until a permanent replacement can be found. Beth and Neil have begun a handover immediately so that Neil can take over fully as Interim Chairman from 1st September. Beth and the Trustees have set a deadline of April 2014 to appoint a new permanent Chairman unless someone suitable can be found sooner.
The Board of Trustees would like to express their sincere thanks on behalf of everyone associated with the Centre for the enormous amount of work that Beth has put in over the years and the amazing achievements that have been delivered under her skilful stewardship. In that time, thousands of disabled children and adults have had their lives transformed via the therapeutic benefit that comes from their tuition at the Centre. The fact that Avon Riding Centre is recognized as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for disabled riding, regionally and throughout the UK, is in large measure due to Beth’s hard work, personal commitment, and leadership since her involvement first began.
Beth has expressed a desire to continue to be associated with ARC beyond her tenure as Chairman and the Trustees are very grateful and delighted to continue to benefit from Beth’s experience, knowledge and enthusiasm into the future.
Neil Truelove will pick up the reins to continue the work begun under Beth’s leadership in supporting the Chief Executive and her staff in running the charity, and in securing the land on which the Centre is based. He will drive forward the work of the Trustees, volunteers and supporters in delivering the much needed funds for our Land Appeal.
On behalf of The Board of Trustees
July 2013