Norfolk’s Lord Lieutenant is ‘beyond impressed’ with South Runcton centre

Praise has been heaped on a West Norfolk charity during a visit by the King’s county representative.

Norfolk’s Lord Lieutenant Lady Dannatt visited the Magpie Centre, home of West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled Association.

At Wallington Hall, South Runcton, where the centre is based, Lady Dannatt met staff and volunteers. She enjoyed a trip round the paddocks and tracks with yard manager Natalie Dade driving the ‘gator’ who showed her where service users enjoy rides and carriage drives.

The association’s acting chairperson Chris Hitchens escorted Lady Dannatt round the sensory garden, opened in 2021 by HRH the Princess Royal.

It now includes a classroom used by home-schooled children, many of whom have learning difficulties and who attend the Magpie Nest, a facility opened in autumn 2024.

Lady Dannatt appreciated the many ways in which the centre enriches the West Norfolk community.

She said: “The Magpie Centre is amazing. It delivers on so many levels: to the service users, both physically and psychologically, and to their parents and carers, who also gain in confidence. Then the volunteers, who feel valued and combat loneliness by becoming a part of something.

“You do it all beautifully. I am beyond impressed.”

Before she left, Lady Dannatt accepted an invitation from Natalie to enjoy a carriage drive during the summer holidays.