In May 2020 an attempt was made to steal the the pony located on the A181 roundabout at Wheatley Hill. Thankfully the pony was recovered by a local resident. Due to the Covid pandemic work to repair the pony and have it re-sited had to be deferred.
Due to the level of damage to the pony the Parish Council contacted the Mid Durham Projects Group, who had originally supplied and installed the pony in 2012.
The Mid Durham Projects Group, now known as The Peoples Project, agreed to restore and re-site the pony at a cost of £2,300.
Trimdon Foundry and Thornley Parish Councils were asked if they would be willing to contribute towards the cost of the restoration work. Trimdon Foundry Parish Council gave a very generous donation of £750 towards the costs.
The pony is now back home where he belongs on the roundabout on the A181. The Parish Council would like to thank everyone involved in the rescue, restoration and re-siting of the pony.