at the Anchor Inn, Nayland, Suffolk
The Colchester Festival Association is pleased to support the project to save this rare breed of working horse.
Through the kindness of Mr Stephen Bunting and his family, The Great Evening Gazette Samba Ramble, to be held on Saturday 13th September 2003, is to be led by the Bunting dray, pulled by Thomas, shown here on the left.
For more information, please visit this link.
PRESS ITEM
Aeast Anglian Daily Times 29th July 2005
PRESS RELEASE
Villagers and visitors gathered last Saturday [19th July 2003] to watch heritage and conservation in motion. In Nayland at the Anchor Inn Heritage Farming Project alongside the River Stour in one of the most beautiful areas of natural beauty in the region, Suffolk Punches along with horseman Nigel Oakley and others worked to harvest the oats they planted last autumn. Using very old traditional horse drawn binders the Punches were set to work to cut the crop, while harvest helpers moved along in their wake gathering up the sheaves and forming them into stooks, or shocks if you come from Suffolk.
It was a scene from a bygone era, when the only form of motive power was provided by the gentle giants. One hundred years ago there were 3.3 million draft horses of all breeds in Great Britain but now there are sadly only 300 Suffolk Punches left, making them one of the most endangered species in the world. With less than 80 viable breeding mares in existence, a few stalwarts are working hard to help save the Suffolk Punch from extinction but they need more help. Last Saturday was a wonderful opportunity to do that and to be a part of our living heritage.
When Bunting & Sons acquired the Anchor Inn, Nayland in April 2002 and set about refurbishing it in a way that would preserve it as the last pub in the village, it was recognised that Anchor Fen and Court Knoll adjoining the pub would be the perfect place to work the Suffolk Punches and the Anchor Inn Heritage Farming Project was established.
Throughout the year the Suffolk Punches are worked on the land at every opportunity so that they can be seen in their natural setting. In this way visitors can appreciate their magnificence and, by visiting the Inn, support the sponsors of the Punches. Local interest has been tremendous and the whole of the local primary school has become involved. The children are thoroughly enjoying their contact with the Suffolk Punches and have also helped with the planting of new woodland on Bunting & Sons' estate just across the river.
The Suffolk Punches will be back at the Heritage Farming Project (weather permitting) on August 9th to "bring home" the harvest. On August 16th they will be cutting the tricicale (a wheat/rye cross) crop and one week later will be carting the stooks once again.
If you would like to take part, or just come along and soak up the atmosphere, head down to the Anchor Inn in Nayland on the Essex/Suffolk borner (just off the A134) anytime between 11am and 4pm on August 9th, August 16th, August 23rd and possibly August 30th and enjoy our heritage!
For further information please telephone 01206 272300
