Stories of the Valley of the Racehorse

There is something about horses that gets people chatting... so we spent the grey, wet winter developing a storytelling tool as part of the Happiness Horsebox resources. 

Click on the QR code to browse our local timeline, after all horseboxes have always been important in racing. It tells the story of the Valley of the Racehorse, Lambourn, starting with the famous winners and some local history. 

We launched it at Lambourn Open Day, with the lightest of touch. Just a printed QR code and a few words about the importance of community history - and connecting generations. 

The very first person to glance through started scrolling through, searching. He told me about a tale his dad used to tell, back in the 1930’s.  The police had stopped him while driving a horsebox.  “I can’t stop” he told them, “I’m taking the winner of the Derby to Epsom”.  “What on earth are you saying, it hasn't even happened yet” they mocked…

On the way home they flagged him down again- and thanked him!

Thanks to our work on the timeline of the Valley of the Racehorse, he was able to identify the horse, the trainer, the jockey and more. Thanks to After Cloud Heritage we can also record him telling his story on the timeline, even add a picture of his dad. It's living history.

Even more thanks to Winnie Wilkins  who researched and input the framework of dates with the stories of horses and people and dreams coming true. It highlights the deep heritage of people and horses in the Valley over centuries.

We have realised it will never be perfectly accurate, or even completed, so it is an example of letting go, trusting the community to shape and own it. This is real storytelling, all embedded in a QR code.  

Everyone who sees it understands its significance.  And that the Happiness Horsebox CIC is the perfect hosting venue, popping up in different parts of the Valley, private, with all the kit to relax and explore the timeline, swap stories, admire horses, all with a view out over the downs or fields, fully inclusive and accessible.   

Help us spread the word!