A splendid morning in Newmarket

Good to be back blogging after what feels like quite a break, over the past few weeks my spare time has been taken up with family matters with a very poorly mum who thankfully seems to be on the mend.

on Newmarket Warren Hill Gallops discussing the role of the public facilities

A couple of weeks ago I along with the SCC cabinet was invited to visit Newmarket racing establishments by the Jockey Club. In some ways this is ‘coals to Newcastle’ as I was born in Newmarket and half my family are based in the town, but it’s useful to chat about the town and its predominate industry with those involved in the various aspects from Trainers such as John Berry, to Amy Starkey CE of the Race Courses and to discuss with them and William Gittus, our host for the morning some of the issues facing this important industry for Suffolk.

We visited the famous Warren Hill Gallops (hence the pictures) and had a presentation at the British Horse Racing School on aspects of the courses they run.

looking down the gallop into Newmarket

At lunch I caught up with Chris Garibaldi who is leading the Home of Horse Racing project and was pleased to hear they are about to break ground. SCC have committed £1m to the project that without the vision of FHDC’s original decision to save Palace House and provide the land and Palace house stables would never have happened.

I do believe that this project once open with have a significant positive effect on the economy of Newmarket and the vision of FHDC Councillors, led at the time of the original decision by Cllr. Geoffrey Jaggard and its CE David Burnip, will over time, be forgotten but not by those of us who were around the political scene these past few years such as myself. At we had lunch in the splendid surroundings of the Jockey Club rooms it struck me one day I will take a final stroll round a mature and world renowned museum and remember their vision, but for now can’t wait for it to open.