A MORPETH couple are offering people a chance to enjoy the thrill of husky sled racing in a Northumberland forest.
The call of the wild comes courtesy of The Forestry Commission through its 155,000-acre woodland at Kielder.
Husky racing duo Malcolm and Rachel Bateman, from Morpeth, will be mushing dogs, pulling a specially adapted two man-sled along forest trails.
Bookings are being taken for rides starting at Kielder Castle on the weekends of 8/9 and 15/16 December between 10.30am and 3.30pm – but places are strictly limited.
Kielder has a long history of hosting husky racing, going back many decades. When snow is in short supply, enthusiasts fix wheels onto rigs to enjoy an authentic slice of wilderness in Britain’s biggest forest.
Events Ranger Laura Hull said: “Kielder is a great location to experience tranquillity, but it’s also just the place if you want a bit of exhilarating action. There’s no better way to blow away the cobwebs than taking a whiz through the forest on a husky dog rig.”
Mr Batemen, a 42-year-old motor vehicle engineer, started racing ten years ago and is a member of the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain.
He regularly uses Kielder for training and competes in races around the UK. His wife, a former veterinary nurse
, took up the sport last year and the couple now have ten dogs — all of them recruited from husky rescue centres.
They will be sharing mushing duties at Kielder with fellow racer Steven Studley, from Thrunton.
Mr Bateman said: “People don’t realise that a husky needs lots of exercise and open spaces and often find they can’t really cope with them. But we love giving the dogs a second chance to take part in an activity they were bred for. We’re looking forward to giving people chance to experience the thrill of the sport.”
Booking is strictly required on 01434 250209 and rides cost £5 Children must be at least ten years old to take part. Rides last about ten minutes.
Kielder Castle is open for Christmas tree sales from 11am to 4pm at weekends until 16 December and also on Monday December 3 and 10 and Friday December 14. Further details at www.forestry.gov.uk/northeastengland
Source: Morpeth Herald
One Response to “Enjoy the thrill of a Husky sled ride”
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December 11th, 2007 at 3:15 am
This weekend the sled dogs from Snopeak will be attending this event on behalf of Sled Dog Welfare which is the UK’s 1st and Only Registered Sled Dog Charity - Registered Number SC 037452
Further information on the Charity can be fount at http://www.sleddogwelfare.org.uk