New register of horse-drawn funeral operators
The British Driving Society (BDS) – the national, not-for-profit organisation responsible for all harness horse driving activities in the UK – has launched a new register to promote confidence in the quality standards maintained by commercial horse-drawn wedding and funeral providers.
Funeral directors can now access, free of charge, information about operators throughout the UK that can be relied on to work with due regard to safety and horse welfare.
Set up in 1957, the BDS is an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual (the Government Office for the Regulation of Qualifications) and consults with the Department for Transport about the legal aspects of providing horse-drawn vehicle services and the Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs on horse welfare. Its Awards Board is not only responsible for preparing the examinations, but also incorporates a panel of expert assessors who evaluate candidates to determine their level of competence.
“Our main aim is to provide funeral directors with an easily accessed register so they can be satisfied that a provider has the necessary expertise and qualifications to enable them to operate horse-drawn hearses safely and competently,” says BDS chairman John Parker.
Funeral directors can view the Register by visiting the BDS website http://www.nafd.org.uk/www.britishdrivingsociety.co.uk and further information is available from the Society on 01473 892001 (office hours) and via email@britishdrivingsociety.co.uk
The BDS Register will be a public record of operators’ competences and drivers can update it to reflect any additional qualifications they achieve. Any commercial horse-drawn vehicle services provider can apply to join the BDS Register. Since eligibility is based solely on the harness horse driving qualifications held, applicants do not have to be BDS members. There is an annual fee of £30 for an operator/driver and £20 for a freelance driver to cover the British Driving Society’s administration costs.
Providers who are interested in taking qualifications should contact the BDS Awards Board on 01379 388314 (office hours) or email their enquiry to bdseducation@aol.com