EPONA is an implementation-orientated Consultancy and Project Development Service, whose work encompasses :
•  Area Regeneration
•  Land & Resources
•  Cultural Heritage

Our main focus is Sustainable Regeneration in Regional, Urban and Rural Areas, with a particular emphasis on :
•  Sub-Regional Development
•  Planning & Property
•  Enterprise “Clusters”

We also have an interest in the Equestrian Sector, and especially in projects and others initiatives with support continued use of working horses in a variety of contexts, including heritage, sport, entertainment and recreation.

Founded in 1994, EPONA has worked for a wide range of Client Organisations and private individuals, including :
•  Private & Public Sectors
•  Independent Businesses 
•  Not-for-Profit Schemes

Clients have ranged from leading edge commercial organisations to community-based project start-ups. No job is too big or too small.

EPONA seeks to identify Robust Project Solutions, rather than merely support positioning strategies for government funding programmes, albeit that these may have an important role in securing sustainable outcomes.

Our particular strengths are in Concept Development Work and Project Start-up, where innovative and dynamic approaches are required, and diverse partners need to be involved. We work with a network of experienced associates.

The Cultural Heritage and Local Distintiveness of an area is key to our approach, and we broadly interpret this to include Craft-based and Creative Industries, as well as Historic Assets.

We are committed to Sustainable Regeneration which emphasises the re-use and re-development of the existing built environment and brownfield sites, and the restoration of degraded landscapes and wildlife habitats.

The Principle Consultant of EPONA is Janet Mackinnon MA, MSc. Janet has a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning Studies, and nearly 25 years’ experience of working for sustainable regeneration, mainly as an independent practitioner.

Between 1988-92 she was, however, employed in the corporate sector, undertaking professional training as a management consultant with one of the large firms of  business advisers. She also worked for a property development company.

Janet has worked in most of the English regions, Scotland, Central Europe and Australia. Her professional experience has covered :
•  Commercial district renewal
•  Local economic development
•  Heritage, sports & arts projects
•  Biodiversity/nature conservation
•  Regional development initiatives
•  Major waterfront regeneration
•  Complex infrastructure projects
•  Transport & the environment
•  Community & housing work

Contact Information
Email:  epona-land@hotmail.co.uk   Telephone :  +44 (0) 7990 633 190
Postal Address :  Studio 13 79 Friar Street Worcester WR1 2NT UK

EPONA will be launching a new website later in the year. In the meantime, emails can be sent to consult@crookbarrow.com  Other contact details remain the same.

EPONA’s Area Regeneration work covers :

Real/Land Economy

• Property & Construction
• Key Sectors/Clusters
• Public Administration

Cultural Heritage

• Built Environment
• Land-based Industries
• Creative Enterprise

Social Ex/Inclusion

• Education & Training
• Community/Networks
• Deprivation & Resilience

Cross-cutting Issues

• Environmental Sustainability
• Diversity & Social Cohesion
• Labour Markets & Employment

Founded in 1994, EPONA is a consultancy and project development business working primarily in Area Regeneration (Regional, Urban & Rural), but also with an interest in Equestrian Heritage. All our work stresses the importance of sustainable development.

Consultancy and Projects
Our approach to the provision of consultancy and project services is first and foremost based upon common sense. EPONA’s Principal, Janet Mackinnon, has nearly 25 years of experience across the regeneration spectrum and has been an independent consultant for most of this time. Our clients have ranged from community-based project start-ups to leading-edge commercial organisations.

Area Regeneration
Although we have been involved in physical, social and cultural regeneration, our primary mission is to help clients better understand the “Economy of Place” in a spatial and time (past, present, future) context. We take a “wide-angle” and objective interest in Regional and Local Property Markets and Land Economy, of which housing is an important part, but not exclusively so.

Equestrian Heritage
Land/Craft-based and Cultural Industries have formed part of EPONA’s consultancy portfolio since our inception. Amongst other projects, we have helped define the components of a Centre for Equestrian Excellence. Janet’s “Horse Blogs” are @ http://horsework.wordpress.com & http://horsework.blogspot.com

Sustainable Development
Janet started her career in area regeneration through working for non-governmental and community-based organisations involved with transport, social housing and the environment. Sustainable development has always been core to EPONA’s work, which emphasises the importance of economic and environmental sustainability, as the basis for sustainable community.

I am reproducing this submission to the BEF (British Equestrian Federation), which deals with the proposed location of equestrian sports in the London 2012 Oympics, because it is a subject today again in the news.

LONDON 2012 – EQUESTRIAN SPORTS & LEGACY PROPOSALS

This paper deals with 2 related matters :

1. the location of Horse Trials in the London 2012 Olympics
2. the equestrian legacy of the Games in South East London

1. Location of equestrian sports in the 2012 Olympics
Although Greenwich Park and Blackheath are identified as the focus for equestrian sports, there has been some debate about whether these sites offer the most appropriate venue. However, it is accepted here they will accommodate the show jumping and dressage components of the Games (? including Para Olympics). The Royal Artillery campus at Woolwich is to host shooting sports and it is proposed that “The Military” (the name formerly given to Horse Trials) also takes place in the vicinity of Woolwich Common/Shooters Hill (the latter area accommodating a good part of the cross country section). The equestrian component (and other parts ?) of the Modern Pentathlon might also take place at Woolwich instead of Greenwich.

The reasons for the above suggestions (in addition to the kind of issues raised in recent correspondence in the equestrian media) are as follows :

• environmental/sustainability
• regeneration/legacy

Legacy issues are covered below. Although London 2012 has made much much of its “green” and “sustainability” credentials, many people (including myself !) have questioned these. “Cramming” all equestrian sports into the Greenwich World Heritage Site is another example of the capacity of the local environment being overriden. The “Equestrian Establishment”, as represented in the British Equestrian Federation, also needs to properly tackle the imperative of environmental sustainability. There is little evidence of this to date. (I am happy to expand on this issue !)

2. Equestrian Legacy of the 2012 Games
The discussion here is primarily focussed on South East London, but it is accepted that the legacy should extend beyond this and particularly take in regeneration areas north of the river ie in the Lea Valley, London Docklands and adjoining parts of the Thames Gateway. The legacy should also acknowledge the multi-ethnic nature of local communities, and the fact that non-white groups are not well represented in equestrian sports; as well as the perception (and to some extent reality) that equestrianism (“at the higher levels”) – and particularly dressage and horse trials – is a sport for social elites.

It is therefore proposed that an “Equestrian Centre of Excellence”, with strong links to other local riding establishments, be established in the vicinity of the Royal Artillery campus at Woolwich. This Centre of Excellence should include :

• An indoor “Riding House” of great architectural as well as technical merit
• A permanent cross-country course based on the Olympic one described above
• ? Polo Grounds on Woolwich Common

In terms of its “organisation”, this Centre of Excellence would probably involve a partnership between The Army and British Equestrian Federation. It should also involve a partnership between the public, private, non-government and community-based sectors.
 

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