This is an open letter to parents of the three young girls, who galloped their horses along the bed of the River Cray.

There is a perfectly adequate ride provided by Bexley Council, but this does not appear to appeal to the seemingly thoughtless young riders who prefer to put themselves, their mounts, and other users of the Meadows at risk by their irresponsible conduct.

The Cray River bed is littered with all manner of hazards which could seriously injure horses.

If the riders have no regard for their own safety, they might, at least, give a thought to the welfare of their mounts.

How would an insurance company view a claim for the death of a horse, for an injury to a rider or to a third party, in such a circumstances?

S John Towlson

Sidcup

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.