DARTMOOR horse rescuer Maureen Rolls has been nominated to join the prestigious 2007 Women of the Year Lunch, which takes place in London next month. The event, held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Park Lane on October 15, honours outstanding women for their contribution to society in all fields and professions. Founded in 1955, the annual lunch also presents four awards to exceptional women. Mrs Rolls founded the charity South West Equine Protection in 1996 to rescue and re-home abandoned and maltreated horses and ponies, although she has been involved in this type of work for more than 25 years, funding the rescues herself. Now boasting 200 members, the charity?s The Pony Sanctuary, based at Princetown, cares for more than 300 animals retrieved from Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor. Mrs Rolls said: ?I?m very excited about being nominated to attend the lunch ? and getting the opportunity to meet other fabulous women. It?s a great honour for me personally, but I am even more thrilled for the Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor ponies, because it helps me to highlight their plight.? Those who have been nominated to attend the lunch were chosen by a council of more than 40, including president Joan Armatrading, Maureen Lipman, wine expert Jancis Robinson, former Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade and broadcaster Floella Benjamin. Former speakers at the lunch have included designer Vivienne Westwood and Queen Noor of Jordan. This year?s special guest will be war correspondent Christiane Amanpour.
