AN AVON and Somerset police horse is to be officially named after Wellington in a ceremony to take place next week.

The newly qualified member of the mounted section, currently known as Rolo, will officially be renamed at an informal ceremony to which the public are warmly invited to attend, at 11.00 a.m. on Thursday, March 5.

The town’s mayor, Councillor Janet Lloyd, will officially name Wellington and present his rider Hannah Clark with a horse blanket sponsored by Wellington Town Council and proudly bearing the Town Crest.

 The event will take place at the Wellington Monument, built after the Duke of Wellington’s success at the battle of Waterloo.  The Duke himself was a keen horse enthusiast with his best known and heroic stead “Copenhagen” being his favourite ,both in battle and retirement.  The monument is currently undergoing major repair work for which the National Trust has raised £3 million of the £3.45 target.

 Eight year old police horse (PH) Rolo, soon to be Wellington, is a dark bay Irish-bred gelding, standing at 17 hands high. Generally a well-behaved horse, he is known to ‘horse around’ on training days to keep his riders on their toes!

He is a friendly member of the mounted team and thoroughly enjoys his duties, from policed demonstrations and football matches to school visits.

 Within his stables and on social media, Rolo has become famous for lying flat out and snoring loudly! He is undergoing continued development to become an excellent police horse.

Avon and Somerset Police has a tradition of naming its horses after places or people within the force area, as well as having two horses named by Her Majesty The Queen during previous visits to Somerset.

Rolo’s stablemate PH Windsor, ridden by PC Helen du Heaume, will accompany him to the ceremony. 

 Mounted Section Sergeant Ed Amor explains: “Naming our horse Wellington in tribute to one of our most rural areas will help ensure the town is frequently mentioned in relation to its police force and helps demonstrate its importance to us.”

Janet Lloyd said: “Wellington Town Councillors are excited to have organised the naming of Wellington, in conjunction with the National Trust, in honour of the town and monument.   

“Local school children will join the Mayor and invitees in a parade to the monument from the car park from 10.30 onwards.  We encourage everyone to dress for the weather with more wellingtons potentially required on the day!”

Anyone who would like to attend the ceremony is asked to gather at the monument shortly before 11.00 a.m. Walking or car-sharing to the event is encouraged.