An iconic landmark on the North Yorkshire hills near Thirsk is getting a fresh coat of bright white paint.

The Kilburn White Horse sits on land managed by Forestry England who took over responsibility for the its maintenance in 2018.

Since then, it has had annual weeding and brash management and nearby paths and fencing are maintained regularly. 

And this week the White Horse is being spray-painted by qualified contractors as part of a program of maintenance to maintain the integrity of the landmark.

The Horse was created in 1857 and constructed by a local schoolteacher and his students.

The Northern Echo: The Kilburn White Horse landmark near Thirsk Picture: Stuart BoultonThe Kilburn White Horse landmark near Thirsk Picture: Stuart Boulton

For many years it was managed by the Kilburn White Horse Association until Forestry England took over responsibility in 2018.

Due to the steep nature of the feature, access to the surface needs to be by rope and anchor.

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This needs relevant professional training and certification, which is why Forestry England cannot use volunteers for weeding and painting.

The Horse was last painted by the Kilburn White Horse Association.

After recent weeding, Forestry England now has the weather conditions to have contractors on site and the Horse is receiving a fresh coat of white paint over the next four days, at a cost of over £20,000.

Ed Woollard, at Forestry England – Yorkshire District, said: “The Kilburn White Horse is a landmark which symbolises Forestry England’s relationship with the history of the land we manage.

The Northern Echo: Workers painting the Kilburn White Horse Picture: Stuart BoultonWorkers painting the Kilburn White Horse Picture: Stuart Boulton

"The Kilburn White Horse Association maintained the Horse over many years, and we will continue their good work to safeguard this landscape feature.

"With key groundwork delivered over the last few years and the White Horse once more glistening under its coat of new white paint we can look forward to a regular programme of maintenance.

"Whilst safety regulations limit volunteer involvement directly on the Horse, we look forward to establishing new opportunities with the community in the near future.”

The Northern Echo: Workers painting the Kilburn White Horse Picture: Stuart BoultonWorkers painting the Kilburn White Horse Picture: Stuart Boulton

Michael Graham, of the North York Moors National Park Authority said: “The Kilburn White Horse is among the most iconic sights in Yorkshire and one of the many reasons people come to the North York Moors and Sutton Bank National Park Centre.

"We know the work that Forestry England puts into maintaining the area, the weeding and repairs, but there’s nothing like a new coat of paint to get it looking its absolute best for all those who see and cherish it.

“The National Park Authority continues to work in partnership with Forestry England to provide opportunities for people to get out into nature and boost their mental and physical wellbeing.

The Northern Echo: Workers painting the Kilburn White Horse Picture: Stuart BoultonWorkers painting the Kilburn White Horse Picture: Stuart Boulton

"Visiting areas such as the Kilburn White Horse is a brilliant and low-cost way to do just that, and we greatly look forward to seeing it fully restored and refreshed.”

The paint used to re-spray the horse has been supplied by local firm, Thirsk Decorating Centre, who provided around 2,000 litres to the contractor.

The family business is now run by Jamie Etherington who is the third generation at the helm.

He is the driving force behind the firm's success in achieving carbon neutral status by embracing green energy such as solar panels and replacing solvent-based products with water-based alternatives.

The Northern Echo: Thirsk Decorating Centre MD Jamie Etherington with the paint they supplied to paint the Kilburn White Horse. Photograph: Stuart BoultonThirsk Decorating Centre MD Jamie Etherington with the paint they supplied to paint the Kilburn White Horse. Photograph: Stuart Boulton

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