GP-Equestrian Has Found A New Home At The Beeches, Sutton Veny

Thursday 26th March 2026

From the Facebook page of GP-Equestrian:

For the past two happy years, GP Equestrian has called Downlands Equestrian home. It’s been an great base for us, and we’re so grateful for our time there.

However, with our horse numbers having doubled recently, it became clear that we needed more space to continue growing and developing.

And with luck on our side we have found just that — a fantastic new home at The Beeches in Sutton Veny. Meaning we get to stay local, with our horses moving to a this incredible venue less than a mile from our house.

Our new yard offers 20 boxes and some outstanding facilities, including:

– Arena with showjumps

– Two all-weather gallops, one hill and one circular, with steeplechase fences

– Cross country fences coming soon

– A large covered walker and lunge pen

– A grass dressage arena and showjumping area

– Lots of turnout

– Great hacking

And we’re still within hacking distance of Downlands and its brilliant cross country facilities.

We feel incredibly lucky to be making this move and can’t wait to get started. From the new yard, we’ll be training our horses and offering schooling, competition, rehab, and occasional sales livery. We’ve got a few updates to make to our website about this, all coming soon.

Plus, to top it all off, we’re absolutely delighted to welcome Fi Barnett to the GP team. Fi brings a wealth of experience, having worked as an international showjumping groom, managed a livery yard, and most recently worked in equine rehabilitation and as an Equine Technician for a local vet. Her knowledge across multiple disciplines will be a huge asset to the team.

We make the move next Wednesday and, once in, we’ll also be announcing some exciting new equine arrivals very soon.

We’re so excited for this next chapter.

www.facebook.com/GPEQU
info@gp-equestrian.com

Huw And Simon Have Known Each Other Since They Were At School

Thursday 19th March 2026

Today, while out walking on the Southern Range Road (Battlesbury Spur) I met Huw Jessop with Simon. They have known each other since their schooldays in Cardiff. I took their photograph in the sunshine.

Simon (left) and Huw.

A few moments later, Huw’s wife Sarah and Simon’s wife came along, and I took their photograph as well.

Sarah (left) and Simon’s wife.

Exercise Care When Emerging

Thursday 19th March 2026

The third book in my Mortal Visible series of books featuring photographs of Warminster taken by myself is now available. The title is Exercise Care When Emerging. Published by Bedeguar Books. ISBN 978-1-872818-62-7. The book is hardback, measures 218mm x 218mm approx., and has 100 pages plus illustrated endpapers. It features 116 colour photographs of people, places and things in Warminster, taken between 2013 and 2025. Photographs have succinct captions and there is an index. Supplied brand new and shrink-wrapped.

The price is £20 per book. Free delivery locally (Warminster and surrounding villages). If you live further away I can post (postage and packing will be extra). The book will not be available in shops. Limited edition. Only available while stocks last – first come, first served. If you would like to purchase a copy or copies, please let me know – DM me on my Facebook page or email me dannyhowellnet@gmail.com Remember to include your home address or where you want your book(s) delivered to. Thank you.

Hearts Of Fire – Athenaeum Concert Location?

Friday 13th March 2026

Hearts Of Fire is a film (musical drama) starring Bob Dylan, playing the part of a faded rock star called Billy Parker. The film also stars Rupert Everett.

IMDb describes the storyline as “A reclusive musician, once a huge rock star, takes a young female protegee. While on a tour she meets a younger, more popular rocker and switches her loyalties.”

Hearts Of Fire was announced in August 1986. The film was released in the UK on 9th October 1987 but only shown in cinemas for two weeks. It was later released on video cassette. The film was panned by the critics. Dylan never seemed too interested in it and later distanced himself from it.

Wikipedia states that the concert scenes in the film were shot at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario; Colston Hall in Bristol; and Camden, North London.

But people have told me some of the minor concert scenes were shot at the Athenaeum in Warminster, the Ath being privately booked for filming. And that students from Warminster School were among those invited to be the audience.

Can anyone confirm this? Were you working at the Ath at the time? Were you a student at Warminster School and in the audience? Is there any reference in the Athenaeum Archives?

If you have information about Hearts Of Fire and an Athenaeum connection, please email: dannyhowellnet@gmail.com

www.imdb.com/title/tt0093163/

Decorated With Leaves And Berries But What Is It?

Thursday 12th March 2026

While out on an afternoon stroll with a friend the other day, we stumbled across an iron object hidden among the ivy beneath our feet in Primrose Wood (see photo above). It is about 15 inches across and resembles a lid. Whatever it was meant for or part of, someone went to the trouble of adding a decoration of leaves and berries to the ironwork. Has anyone ever seen one of these before? Does anyone know what it was used for? If you know, please email: dannyhowellnet@gmail.com

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