Last weekend (17 and 18 May), twenty members of the Wroughton Whippets running group swapped trainers for tools to give the Hackpen chalk horse a much-needed makeover.
The group spent the weekend stripping back weeds, re-edging the iconic chalk outline, and applying fresh lime to restore the sparkle.
Carved in 1838 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Victoria, the Hackpen White Horse is believed to have been cut by Henry Eatwell, parish clerk of Broad Hinton—and possibly the local publican.
James Hussey, landowner and custodian of the horse, said: “Thanks to the fantastic help of the Whippets and the generous supply of materials from Travis Perkins, the horse is well groomed once again for us all to enjoy.”
The restoration is close to the home of the Wroughton Whippets. Paul Bailey, founder of the Whippets said: “As a local running group, we love this landscape and can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning. We hope everyone loves the horse’s haircut”
The timing is perfect, as the freshly cleaned landmark will serve as a scenic backdrop for the group’s upcoming Hackpen 10k, an annual charity trail run taking place on 7 September.
The event, open to both runners and walkers with registration through EntryCentral. Visit: https://www.entrycentral.com/event/103973
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