Dr Neil Hudson, Member of Parliament for Epping Forest and Shadow DEFRA Minister, recently visited Redwings Ada Cole Horse Sanctuary in Nazeing to meet staff, tour the facilities, and spend time with some of the rescued horses.
Dr Hudson was welcomed by Redwings Chief Executive Lynn Cutress, Campaigns and Policy Manager Helen Whitelegg, and Centre Manager Jo, who guided him around the site and outlined the sanctuary’s vital work caring for rescued and rehomed horses.
Originally founded as the Ada Cole Memorial Stables, the site later became part of Redwings Horse Sanctuary, which now operates 12 centres across England. The charity cares for more than 1,500 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules and employs around 300 staff nationwide. Around 200 of the animals are currently suitable for rehoming, while others remain in lifelong care due to age, complex health conditions or behavioural needs. The sanctuary’s café and gift shop also play an important role in raising funds to support its ongoing welfare work.
During the visit, Dr Hudson and the Redwings team discussed a range of pressing issues affecting the equine and animal welfare sector, including biosecurity, equine identification, and the urgent need to modernise the Veterinary Surgeons Act. As the first veterinary surgeon elected to the House of Commons since 1884, Dr Hudson has consistently championed improvements to animal health and welfare legislation, most recently raising reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act during DEFRA Oral Questions.
They also discussed preparations for potential disease threats such as West Nile Virus and African Horse Sickness, highlighting the importance of strong biosecurity.
Redwings raised concerns about the impact of high-decibel fireworks on horses and other animals. While supportive of organised public displays, the charity is calling for tighter regulation of private firework use and for the maximum legal noise limit to be reduced to 120 decibels to minimise animal distress. Dr Hudson reiterated his support for stronger safeguards and agreed to continue pressing Ministers on the issue, building on cross-party efforts already underway in Parliament.
The charity also highlighted financial pressures facing the sector, including the impact of rising National Insurance contributions and increases in the National Living Wage, and stressed the need for greater recognition of the essential role charities play in safeguarding animal welfare.
Redwings Campaigns and Policy Manager, Helen Whitelegg, said:
“Redwings was delighted to welcome Dr Neil Hudson MP to our Ada Cole centre and introduce him to some of our rescued residents and the team that looks after them. The site offers a vital resource to both the horses that live there and local residents, schools and community groups who can visit for free.
“It was also a great opportunity to talk to Neil about Redwings’ fireworks campaign and thank him for his continued support for calls for tighter fireworks regulations through his parliamentary roles. We also appreciated being able to discuss some of the current economic challenges affecting so many charities like Redwings.”
Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, Dr Neil Hudson, said:
“It was a privilege to visit Redwings Ada Cole and see first-hand the exceptional care, professionalism and compassion shown by the team. Their work rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses makes a huge difference to animal welfare, both here in Epping Forest and across the country.
“As a veterinary surgeon, I know how vital it is that Government policy keeps pace with the challenges facing the sector. I will continue to work in Parliament to ensure the voices of sanctuaries like Redwings are heard and that they receive the support they need.”
