JOCKEY and former Channel 4 Racing anchorman, Brough Scott, has given Romsonians a fascinating insight into his famous grandfather’s Great War mount, Warrior.

His talk on “General Jack Seely and Warrior” raised just over £2,110 for the Romsey War Horse project, which is aimed at erecting a statue in the town in tribute to the 12,000 horses and mules that were trained at Pauncefoot Hill before heading for the front line.

Event organiser, Sarah Saunders-Davies, said: “Over 200 people were at the Warrior’s War talk and all 63 books on Warrior and Galloper Jack that Brough brought along to the talk were sold. About 20 of Brough’s relatives turned up for the talk, which was fascinating and a great success.” General Seely officially opened Romsey War Memorial Park in 1921 and it is here that its is hoped to unveil a life-size bronze resin statue of a horse and trooper next year to mark the centenary of Romsey Remount Camp.

Test Valley sculptor, Amy Goodman, has been commissioned to make the memorial, which is likely to cost at least £77,000. During last Friday’s event at the Crosfield Hall, Amy handed over a cheque for £950 to the project, money raised from the sale of maquettes of the statue.

The next big fund-raiser for the War Horse Project will be on Friday, May 16, at Romsey School, when Major Sir Michael Parker, who has organised numerous royal events, as well as the Royal Tournament from 1974 to 1999 and the Ediburgh Military Tattoo between 1992 and 1994, will be giving a talk entitled “It’s All Going Horribly Wrong”.

Tickets cost £8 in advance and £10 on night and are available from Romsey Tourist Information office.

l Hampshire County Council has awarded the War Horse Project £2,000 as part of its funding for events to commemorate the Centenary of the First World War and the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.

North Baddesley Parish Council received £250 in the same round of grants to create a border of commemorative poppies at the recreation ground and other green spaces in the village.