A NEW painting and cleaning regime has been launched to keep Westbury’s historic White Horse looking its best all year round.
The first step of the new regime will be paint trials, to establish which is best to use on the existing surface, before deciding how often the White Horse needs to be cleaned.
Alongside the paint trials, English Heritage, who own the site, will work with a satellite group of Westbury Rotary Club, to improve the White Horse and Bratton camp.
Free sites partnership manager west for English Heritage, Helen Allen, told White Horse News, “Following the cleaning of the White Horse last year, English Heritage is pleased to announce the establishment of a new painting and cleaning regime to ensure that this important local landmark always looks its best.
“The first step is for paint trials to be carried out to test the best method to use, while in the meantime a newly-formed volunteer group – a satellite of Westbury Rotary Club – will be working with us to improve the general appearance of the entire White Horse and Bratton camp site. We’re extremely grateful for their support and can’t wait to get started.”
White Horse News asked for clarity as to how often the White Horse would be cleaned. Helen said, “We have to test how new paints will adhere to the existing surface. There are a couple to test and they will have to be left in place to see how they weather.
“Only once we understand how the paint will behave will we be able to establish how frequently the horse will need to be cleaned.
“It’s a step by step process which will hopefully lead us to the best and most cost efficient solution.”
The White Horse was last cleaned in June last year, with the help of volunteers.
