Two Shetland ponies who are the pets of two Northam children may have to be given away if grazing cannot be found for them.

At the moment Muppet, a seven year old mare which stands 34 inches high, and Rupert, one year younger and eight inches shorter, graze in a field at Northam.

But the land is now needed for development purposes and so far attempts to find alternative local grazing have not been successful.

The ponies belong to Dominic, aged give, and his sister, Alexandra, aged four, the children of Mr and Mrs McKerchar, who live at 24 Fore Street, Northam.

Mrs Kerry McKerchar told the Gazette: “If grazing can’t be found locally then we shall have to let the ponies go to a good home. I wouldn’t sell them after all the stories you hear about animals being slaughtered.”

Shetlands can live until they are 30 years old or more. Muppet, incidentally, is expecting a happy event in May. “But Rupert had nothing to do with that!” explained Mrs McKerchar.

“We’ve advertised for grazing without any luck but we’re still hoping some arrangement can be made so as not to upset the children” she commented.

Gazette article dated 27 January 1978