Pamela Binns loved horses all her life, buying her first pony at the age of 10. As a teenager she started an acting career that was to last over 60 years, and included working with two James Bond heroes – Roger Moore and Sean Connery. Her last role before she retired at the age of 86 was Philomena in East Enders.

Meeting Marcus for the first time at the cuddle door

In 2021 she saw Natalie on TV talking about a pony at the ‘cuddle door’ at Park Lane Stables in Teddington for anyone in need of a pony cuddle during the tough weeks of lockdown. ‘That’s me!’ she said, and from that moment on she visited us whenever she was able, thanks to the kindness of helpers and friends to overcome her mobility issues. Being back in the saddle was the best therapy, and she fell in love first with Marcus and then with Dougie. We watched her bury her face in their manes as she rode the tracks around Petersham, inhaling the best smell in the world.

Pamela had been in poor health this year, and not able to visit, though regular Facetime calls with Natalie and the team at the yard kept her in touch with her new horsey family. Being well enough to visit the new Stables in Teddington was a huge goal that sustained her as she struggled to recover, but sadly in June 2024 she died at the age of 93. She’d have loved to have seen her named brick, positioned right next to the cuddle door where her Park Lane Stables story started.

Pamela’s love of horses was a constant in her life and we’d like to think that she’ll be reunited with Marcus, both of them young enough again to gallop across fields into the sunset.

A few months ago Pamela came second in the RDA Creative Writing Competition with her poem My Riding Life. She wanted to share it with Park Lane Stables readers and supporters, so here it is now. We’re only sorry that she didn’t get to see it.

My Riding Life

When I was ten my Granny died.
I was so sad, I cried and cried.
She left me some money. I bought a pony,
So that I would never be lonely.

I got Pippin from the wild hills of Wales,
She was half broken, half price in the sales.
Her nerves were broken, and rough and raw,
She shied at everything she saw.

I talked and soothed until she was calm,
And I could lead her without harm.
I had to be careful that nothing rushed her,
My strawberry roan. Daily I brushed her.

Pamela’s brick next to the new cuddle door

Grampa bought Gypsy when Pip I outgrew,
So then I had these ponies two.
Gyp knew she was smart, she loved to show off, She really was a bit of a Toff.

I rode her at shows, she’d career around,
Her little shod hooves churning up the ground,
But other days she was full of grace,
Winning rosettes, often topmost place.

And I loved them both, as they loved each other,
So when I sold them, I sold them together.
My life had changed, I had to stop riding,
I shunted that off to a different siding.

By the time I was ninety I was very disabled
And had not been near to anything stabled,
But I saw on TV ‘To hug a horse’,
And my dear friend Cessa said she’d take me, of course.

So we found Park Lane, and the ponies there,
And the owner, Nat, had an hour to spare.
We settled in to a wonderful talk,
I explained that I could hardly walk.

But it seems I’d found the RDA
And help would come in every way.
There are no policies, rules or side,
Just help for people who want to ride.

So now I ride whenever I am able,
With helping hands from within the stable,
And I’m still the little girl who bought a pony,
So that I would never be lonely.

Read Pamela’s wonderful blog: “When I was 10 I Bought a Pony for £10”. Her memoir, Little Good Luck, was published in 2018

We say goodbye to Park Lane’s oldest regular visitor

And the RDA Equine of the Year Award goes to…

Park Lane opens its doors – and a pony returns briefly to the cuddle door