Half a century of tradition looks set to come to an end with a decision to pull the reins on an Angus New Year ride out.
The Rowanlea Riding School spectacle has captured the heart of all ages at the turn of each year, with dozens of riders brushing off the festive season cobwebs with a trek from Conchie’s stables at Barry around local roads.
But the venture looks like it has become a victim of its own success due to health and safety implications and the costs which would be involved in properly policing the 14-mile route around the increasingly busy local roads.
David Conchie, who with his sister, Irene, organised the ride started by his late father, David Snr, said: “It’s been getting a wee bit more difficult every year with health and safety. It’s huge.
“We’re fairly certain it’s the end, and it’s with great regret.
“We’ve had a lot of years and didn’t want to make an awful lot of it, and wanted to let it slip under the carpet.
“It’s been over 50 years, we had that in 2015.”
He added: “We were actually going to stop then, having made it to 50 years.
“The roads are getting busier all the time, even on the 2nd of January.
“My father used to go out no matter what the weather, and pick the best route possible.
“You can’t really go out when it’s icy underfoot, with health and safety.
“We’ve managed to do it uninterrupted for a solid 50 years,” he said.
The popularity of the event was illustrated on the 50th anniversary trek when almost 90 riders aged from seven to 75 braved the cold weather for a four-hour ride out.
