By Richard SmithA COLLEGE is throwing its weight behind a £4million appeal to create a new visitor attraction based around the famous Suffolk Punch horses.

Don't say we are saving the Suffolk Punch or suchlike (TH had a letter)

By Richard Smith

A COLLEGE is throwing its weight behind a £4million appeal to

create a new visitor attraction based around the famous Suffolk Punch horses.

Otley College, near Ipswich, will hold a major event to raise money for the appeal and it will continue to educate students about the benefits of working with the heavy horse.

In the past five years more than 100 students have taken part in heavy horse courses at Otley College, learning about all aspects relating to the Suffolk Punch.

William Marland, course director and a Suffolk Punch enthusiast, said: “Suffolk without these wonderful horses is like London without Big Ben, therefore we at Otley College are committed to keeping this animal at the forefront of people's minds.

“Ten per cent of people that take the course at Otley have gone on to buy a heavy horse, so there is an obvious interest in these wonderful creatures and we will be showing our support to the Suffolk Punch stud by collecting money on their behalf at our college Big Day Out on May 14.”

Up to 2,000 people are expected to visit the college on May 14, where there will be numerous events from 10am to 5pm including a horse show, an inflatable climbing wall, a craft fair, a mini farmers' market and a gun dog demonstration.

There will also be a mini version of the Crufts dog show, welly throwing and a typing competition to find the quickest fingers in Suffolk.

Up to 40,000 leaflets have been circulated to East Anglian Daily Times readers asking for their support for the appeal, which aims to buy the Suffolk Punch stud farm at Hollesley Bay open prison.

The appeal also wants to create new facilities at the stud farm, including a lecture theatre and classrooms, a heritage centre with static and interactive displays, research facilities, a covered exhibition ring, rural craft workshops and a shop and restaurant.

richard.smith@eadt.co.uk