All the King’s horses… the end of an era looms with closure of Ordnance Barracks in St Johns Wood - King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery to move to Woolwich
Published: 16 April 2010
by DEMIAN SMITH
A FORMER King’s Troop gunner has spoken out about the closure of the St John’s Wood Barracks as the famous horses’ 200-year-old parade took one of its final bows.
The closure of Ordnance barracks will see the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery – one of the Army’s most prestigious regiments – move to Woolwich.
Dale Ablitt, a former gunner for the King’s Troop, now running a thoroughbred stud farm in Newmarket, said: “We’ve got to stop dreaming. The closure of the barracks was a foregone conclusion given the state of the public finances, but the Woolwich barracks offer a more comfortable environment for the horses and soldiers.”
But the move will bring the curtain down on the famous inspections of more than 100 horses in Regent’s Park.
Developers the Eyre Estate have plans to turn the site into apartments when the lease expires in 2011.
Malcolm Kafetz, chairman of the Friends of Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, said: “It’s sad. I feel we’re losing something that’s very enjoyable, even if it is only a couple of times a year.”
Defence ministry spokesman David Sievwright said: “The annual inspections will more than likely move to Woolwich as there’s a lot of green space in front of the barracks.”