Countryside Alliance

[Finnish]

29th September 2005


1. Simon Hart on Party Conference season


2. Hunting Act - Countryside Alliance strategy for repeal

3. Radio 5 Live debate and The Last Waterloo Cup

4. The Big Countryside Quiz - Friday 25th November

5. Raise money for the Alliance with The Present Finder

6. Remember to buy your game licence

1. Simon Hart on Party Conference season


This week saw the Alliance in Brighton for the Labour Party Conference, which was a very different affair to last year’s event. Whilst there were no big demonstrations on the outside of the conference centre, there was plenty of activity on the inside. The Alliance was involved in numerous discussions with MPs, Ministers and delegates on a range of subjects from affordable housing in rural areas to the emerging shambles of the Hunting Act.

DEFRA Minister Jim Knight MP did his best to get around the conference, reassuring us and others of the Government’s desire to make peace with rural communities still wary of their real intentions.

What a contrast to the behaviour of Minister of Culture, David Lammy MP, who stunned Fabian Society members at their fringe meeting with an extremely insulting (and unfunny) jibe at Alliance members – sad proof that lurking under the skin of even the most modern Ministers are some old class warriors. Alliance Chairman elect, Kate Hoey MP, extracted an immediate apology.

For the second year running, late night – and drunken – delegates, managed to damage the Alliance stand which, once repaired, led to extensive media opportunities for the Alliance to put the case for the countryside.

Elsewhere at the conference there were a range of fringe meetings on rural issues and the Alliance was delighted to welcome Cherie Blair on to the stand, lending her support to our ongoing Best Rural Retailer competition.

On Sunday we move to the Conservative conference at Blackpool where we will welcome Big Brother star Derek Laud, Shadow DEFRA Minister Oliver Letwin MP and Neil Parish MEP to our fringe meeting entitled ‘The Power of Minorities’.

2. Hunting Act - Countryside Alliance strategy for repeal

All members of the Alliance will shortly be receiving in the post their quarterly Campaign Update. We have enclosed with this mailing the updated strategy paper ‘Hunting Forward not Back’, which sets out, in conjunction with the Council of Hunting Associations, the outline of how we intend to tackle this subject.

Could I urge members and supporters to make as many friends in the hunting world aware of this document, additional copies of which can be obtained from the Alliance (email actionoffice@countryside-alliance.org) or can be found on the website. There is a way forward and the process of dismantling the Hunting Act has begun.



3. Radio 5 Live debate and phone in and The Last Waterloo Cup

Radio 5 Live Phone in - Radio 5 Live, Friday 30th September, 10am

Phil Williams will be having a debate and phone in on shooting on his 5 Live radio show on Friday 30th September. He will be joined by a panel including Alliance Campaigns Director Rob Gray. Call the show with your comments free on 0500 909693 or text 85058.

The Last Waterloo Cup
BBC Two, Friday 30th September, 9pm

Paul Yule’s film documents last season’s coursing culminating in the three day Waterloo Cup in Lancashire.

As Radio Times puts it “by the end of the film it is hard not to feel that theirs [the antis] may be a hollow victory”.

4. The National Big Quiz - Friday 25th November

Quiz enthusiasts nationwide will have to get their thinking caps on to be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prices in the Countryside Alliance's first ever National Big Quiz. The rural-themed quiz, which will take place across the country on Friday 25th November, will test general countryside knowledge with questions on country sports, farming, conservation and other topics covering all aspects of the countryside. Get a team of six together and test your knowledge of rural Britain to see how much you and your team really know about our countryside.

To enter your team of six, contact your Regional Director (click on your region on the map.) Entry is £5 per person (£30) Make a date in your diary now.

5. Raise money for the Alliance with The Present Finder

The Countryside Alliance has linked up with The Present Finder to help raise funds for the Alliance's campaigning activities. The Present Finder sells more than 1,600 upmarket and unusual presents for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. They include many hunting, shooting and fishing type presents, which can be sent out all over the world and beautifully gift-wrapped.

Between now and Christmas, The Present Finder will donate to the Alliance 5% of the value of all orders placed on The Present Finder website (less VAT and shipping) by someone who has clicked through from the Countryside Alliance website.

To get to The Present Finder website simply click here and you will be immediately transferred. By using this click through, you will be identified as coming from the Countryside Alliance website and we will receive 5% of the value of your order at no cost to you. If you don't use this click through, The Present Finder won't realise you've come from our site and won't be able to donate the money to us so make sure you always use this click through to access The Present Finder website.

Thank you for supporting the Alliance and happy shopping.

6. Remember to buy your game licence

Don't get caught short this season - a licence is required to take or kill game and to deal in game. Licences are available from the Post Office.

Read DEFRA's page on game licences and make sure you are well prepared for your sport this season.






This Week in Politics - for a report on recent events in Westminster and elsewhere from the Alliance's Political Department


In the News - the Alliance website brings you regularly updated topical and relevant news stories.

[Finnish]

1. Simon Hart - as hunting and shooting get underway, what is in store..?

2. The Last Waterloo Cup & The Newcastle Journal

3. Zoe rides for the Countryside Alliance

4. Cheltenham Countryside Race Day – Friday 11th November

5. Autumn/ Winter 05 Gift Catalogue

1. Simon Hart - as hunting and shooting get underway, what is in store..?

With the new seasons just starting, I thought I would take a few moments to revisit in brief our strategy and explain what we are seeking to achieve.

Firstly, I hope that the strategy paper – “Hunting, forward not back” contained within Campaign Update (this is going out to members as we speak), sets out clearly where we want to get in terms of the repeal or amendment of the Hunting Act, and as far as it is sensible to reveal it, the means by which we intend to get there. Download your updated Autumn copy of the strategy.

It deals with the ongoing legal challenges, the manner in which we can ‘keep hunting’ and the associated political objectives. Most importantly it explains how these three strands interlink.

On shooting, we have set out via our document ‘On the Front Foot’, the key issues facing shooting including opportunities as well as threats. The strategy explains the manner in which we plan to do so, and any associated costs. This is a more complicated strategy because, unlike hunting, no extensive research has gone into public attitudes and political threats. As ‘On the Front Foot’ points out this was the first part of our work, and I am pleased that shortly we will be able to publish some of the results. I am sure you will be as interested as we have been in the remarkable findings that they throw up.

On angling we are taking a proactive and educational route, and Campaigns Director, Rob Gray, will shortly be producing his plans for all members to see. In short we will be designing ways to get young people, especially from urban areas, onto river, lake or canal banks to introduce them to the pleasures we often take for granted.

So what are the other objectives of the Alliance? We remain committed to promoting a sustainable countryside; one where business, tourism, field sports, and agriculture can exist as free from political interference as possible. Where possible we will form partnerships and work with others to achieve these goals.

All this will involve active promotion of all things we find of value, as well as the defence of those things which, occasionally and often for unjust reasons, come under prejudiced assault.

Almost everywhere we go we hear people tell us that they support our campaigns “for the love of the countryside”. We plan to use this expression more widely in the coming months. Everything we do and stand for is underpinned by that simple message. It straddles any notion of a town/country divide and is equally applicable to the fanatical field sportsman as it is to the casual visitor from our cities.

The Alliance is determined to represent its members as a force for the good in rural Britain, championing the many important causes that come under our umbrella, and not being afraid to tackle hostility when we meet it.

This work will not always be visible. We have teams of people walking the political and media corridors of the UK’s four capitals – London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff, as well as an increasing and wary eye on activities in Brussels.

Our final strategic objective is to ensure that our membership services are of the highest quality. We are making considerable progress in overcoming some obstacles in the renovation of our database. We have nearly 200,000 names and addresses at our disposal, but, over years, many have become out of date or inaccurate. We cannot function as a proper membership organisation until this is rectified and we are working hard to ensure that it is.

We will be creating more commercial relationships with organisations close to our hearts to ensure that members get the best possible offers, particularly for goods and services which are relevant to the causes of the organisation. For example, our new revamped insurance package is probably the best on offer, and certainly the only one that covers every recognised field sport in the UK.

We are intending to increase the accessibility of our website and the circulation of the grass e-route. Please help us with this. Over 70% of our members have access to the internet and yet only a fraction ever visit the Alliance website. We have increased the circulation of the grass e-route by nearly 20,000 in the last three months. Please forward it to your friends and try and get them to register on this unique, frequent, and above all, cost-free means of communication.

I hope this brief resumé of the objectives of the Alliance, its individual strategic goals in terms of its campaigns, and the manner in which it intends to approach them, convinces you that our organisation is fit for the challenges that the coming months and years will almost certainly put before us.

[Finnish]

2. The Last Waterloo Cup & The Newcastle Journal

Members of the coursing community should be proud of the way in which they put their case in last week’s BBC 2 film, ‘The Last Waterloo Cup’.

Social, ecological, welfare and libertarian arguments were explained with humour and, at times, emotion, all of which resulted in an honest film about an activity that has suffered more than most from unjust assault.

It was a timely reminder for all of us in the countryside as to why we must continue our campaigning in earnest. Yes, it may be a different form of campaigning, but it is nonetheless just as important that we work for a change in the law.

Last week’s programme explained why this is so important because tricky arguments were put across skilfully by a range of passionate people. The importance of “measured advocacy” as opposed to anything aggressive and intimidating cannot be underestimated.

Another reason to be upbeat is an editorial that was published in the Newcastle Journal last Saturday. Entitled “Law has gone to the dogs”, the newspaper said “Whatever your views on fox hunting, no-one can argue that the current legal situation is a sensible one.” It argued that the Act is based on political expediency and observes that despite the Act, “so little has changed. We have effectively been left with a law that is both difficult to enforce and toothless, even if one could turn out police officers at every meet. And all because our Prime Minister threw the hunting-with-dogs bill to his backbenchers as a political sop. You do not need to be particularly for or against hunting to recognise the nonsense of this.” Read this editorial in full

3. Zoe rides for the Countryside Alliance

East Grinstead trainer, Zoe Davison is hoping to raise substantial sums for the Countryside Alliance when she rides at the Goodwood Countryside Race Day on Sunday 9th October.

Remarkably Zoe underwent an operation for breast cancer two weeks ago, and Sunday’s race comes a day before she starts chemotherapy. Her sheer grit was demonstrated at Plumpton races recently where she was to be found two days after her operation plaiting and grooming her two runners for the day.

Zoe has been in racing all her life. Her father was a trainer, and in 1999 with her partner Andy Irvine she set up Shovelstrode Racing Stables in Ashurst Wood, near East Grinstead in East Sussex.

Zoe will be riding ‘Distant Romance’ in the Translloyd Development South East Countryside Alliance Flat Race on Sunday. Distant Romance is a recent winner on the hurdles at Fontwell.
Anyone wishing to sponsor Zoe in Sunday’s race should email events@countryside-alliance.org and put “Zoe’s Fund” in the subject header. For more information on the Race Day itself, call Peter Setterfield on 01798 344720.

4. Cheltenham Countryside Race Day – Friday 11th November

Cheltenham Countryside Race Day spearheads a three day Open Meeting and provides a unique blend of top class racing and entertainment based around countryside activities.

The six sponsored races feature the Sporting Index Cross Country Chase run over hedges, timber and banks. In recent years, this has attracted contenders from Ireland, France and the Czech Republic.

From 10am, the parade ring and tented village take on the appearance of a Country Fair with attractions that include a jazz band and 80 trade stands. There is a busy programme of events and, between races, a parade of hounds.

Proceeds will be shared by the Countryside Alliance and Greatwood Caring for Retired Racehorses (www.racehorsesgreatwood.org). Countryside Alliance members are welcome to use the marquee right in the heart of the tented village where drinks and snacks are available all day. There are several restaurants and a limited number of boxes that are ideal as a base from which to enjoy the day. For full details, telephone Cheltenham Racecourse on 01242 537653.

Entry tickets cost £18 if booked before Saturday 5th November and £20 thereafter, but tickets bought online at www.cheltenham.co.uk cost just £16.

Tickets for entry to the Brunch Pavilion on Friday 11th November cost £50 + vat and include Club admission, a bucks fizz reception, brunch and afternoon tea. For all tickets, please call 01242 226226.

5. Autumn/ Winter 05 Gift Catalogue

Our Christmas catalogue is now available. Choose from a wide range of gifts and merchandise, from new stock to old favourites, and get a free pack of Christmas or greetings cards when you place an order for £10 or more via the Online Shop at www.c-ashop.co.uk between now and Christmas.

Included in the catalogue this year are Christmas and greetings cards, books calendars, wristbands, limited edition prints and Alliance favourites such as spotted hankies, dog bowls and silk and polyester ties

Members automatically receive the catalogue in the autumn member mailing. For those who have already received the catalogue please be advised that the order code for the “I ♥ the Countryside” car sticker pack is CABO330. This was missing from the initial print run of catalogues.

Request a catalogue by calling 0871 919 9177. Please note that the final despatch date to ensure orders are delivered in time for Christmas orders is Wednesday 14th December.


This Week in Politics - for a report on recent events in Westminster and elsewhere from the Alliance's Political Department


In the News - the Alliance website brings you regularly updated topical and relevant news stories.

Internet Service Providers can on occasion mistake the grass e-route for spam. If this has ever happened to you, and to ensure that it doesn't happen again, add the email address news@countryside-alliance.org to your contacts book. The grass e-route will then be recognised by your account.

[Finnish]

13th October 2005


1. Simon Hart on the Parliament Act challenge to the Hunting Act

2. A statement from the Council of Hunting Associations

3. The updated Hunting Handbook

4. CRC affordable housing inquiry

5. Beaters and Pickers-Up

1. Simon Hart on the Parliament Act challenge to the Hunting Act

In a long and detailed judgement, the House of Lords has rejected the Appeal brought by the Alliance challenging the validity of the1949 Parliament Act. There must now be concern that our parliamentary system provides no adequate check on the House of Commons, which could, if it wished, operate free of a second chamber.

We must however remember that this is just one strand of our fight to overturn the Hunting Act. Every hunt around the country is continuing to meet and use a variety of methods to hunt within the law in defiance of the ban. We must also continue to fight the Hunting Act in the political arena, where the work of Vote OK and the hunting community was complimented by delegate after delegate at the recent Conservative Party conference. The legal challenge to the Hunting Act on Human Rights grounds is also likely to be heard in the New Year.

We have always said that we will explore every legal, political and practical avenue to repeal and we must continue to do so. I fully endorse and support Stephen Lambert's comments below.

In the meantime we can be somewhat cheered by yet another scathing attack on the Government’s handling of the hunting issue. In this morning's judgement, Lord Steyn commented:

“The New Labour government decided that it would abolish the ancient liberty of the British people, regularly exercised by a great many individuals up and down the land, to take part in fox hunting. It was a deeply controversial measure”.

2. A statement from the Council of Hunting Associations

‘The Council of Hunting Associations is extremely disappointed by the final outcome of the Parliament Act Challenge. The result strikes a sombre note for the future of British democracy. As one of the Law Lords stated in his judgment: “I am deeply troubled about assenting to the validity of such an exorbitant assertion of government power”.

Nonetheless, the hunting world will continue to be robust, strongly supported by the CHA, and will continue to test the law to the full until such time as this appalling piece of legislation, which achieves absolutely nothing for animal welfare and management, is repealed or amended.’

Stephen Lambert, Chairman, Council of Hunting Associations



3. The updated Hunting Handbook


An updated version of the Hunting Handbook has been published. It outlines how hunts throughout the country can build on their experience at the end of last season, ridiculing the Hunting Act and showing their determination to continue throughout the temporary ban. Download a copy or purchase a hard copy from www.c-ashop.co.uk

Hunts around the country will continue to go out within the law to show their defiance of the Hunting Act, and their determination to maintain the infrastructure of hunts and retain the cohesion of our local communities until this ‘temporary’ ban is repealed.

4. CRC affordable housing inquiry

The Commission for Rural Communities' inquiry into the problem of affordable housing in rural areas is ongoing. Open sessions are being held in selected villages in every region in England, and more venues have been announced. Concerned members of the public are encouraged to come and talk directly with the chairman and the Rural Advocate, Stuart Burgess, and others members of the Board, to discuss ideas and concerns on affordable housing. To guarantee a place you need to register through the Commission's website.

All events will be held in the evening from 6.30pm to 9.00 pm. Refreshments will be provided. Where dates and venue are not confirmed, please fill in your details to express an interest. Book your place here.

South West
Monday 17th October - South Hams, Devon
East of England
Thursday 20th October - Brancaster, North Norfolk
East Midlands
Tuesday 25th October - Great Limber, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire
West Midlands
Tuesday 8th November - Vale of Evesham, Worcestershire
North East
to be confirmed
South East
Monday 21st November - Romney Marsh, Shepway

If you are unable to attend one of the events you can still register your views by filling in the online questionnaire. The Countryside Alliance would also like to hear from you regarding the problems of affordable housing in your community. Please email policy-enquiry@countryside-alliance.org

5. Beaters and Pickers-Up

The National Association of Beaters and Pickers-Up is a new organisation which has been set up to put those who need beaters and pickers-up in touch with those who want to beat and pick-up. Register now, while it is still free, by going to www.nobs.org.uk . If you are a 'keeper who is short of staff, or someone who wants to take up or get back into beating and picking up, register now.



This Week in Politics - for a report on recent events in Westminster and elsewhere from the Alliance's Political Department

In the News - the Alliance website brings you regularly updated topical and relevant news stories.

Internet Service Providers can on occasion mistake the grass e-route for spam. If this has ever happened to you, and to ensure that it doesn't happen again, add the email address news@countryside-alliance.org to your contacts book. The grass e-route will then be recognised by your account.

[Finnish]

The Countryside Alliance's Best Rural Retailer competition –

one week left to nominate



The competition will close on Tuesday 25th October.



If you have a local independent retailer that is an ambassador for local produce, let us know. The Best Rural Retailer competition, running in conjunction with British Food Fortnight and Farmers Weekly magazine, aims to celebrate the diversity, colour and vision of local retailers.



If your retailer is going that extra mile to support and promote local produce and is an essential part of your community, we want to know. We want to give a boost to all the unsung heroes who are so much a part of their communities. Nominations so far have included breweries, farm shops, PYOs, village shops, butchers, game dealers, post offices - the diversity is extraordinary and it is clear that rural people are passionate about promoting their local retailers.



To nominate, email info@countryside-alliance.org telling us who you are nominating, where they are, why they deserve to be the UK's Best Rural Retailer and, of course, who you are. Any local independent retailer is eligible.



12 regional finalists will be named before the end of November with an overall national winner being announced at a reception at the Houses of Parliament in January 2006. The overall winner will be judged by an experienced panel of experts, consisting of:



Simon Hart, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance

Zac Goldsmith, renowned rural champion and editor of the Ecologist magazine

Dr Stuart Burgess, Chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities and the Government's Rural Advocate

Mike Stones, Deputy Editor of Farmers Weekly Magazine

Alexia Robinson, Director of British Food Fortnight

[Finnish]

20th October 2005


1. Simon Hart on John Jackson

2. The Best Rural Retailer competition closes in five days – vote now

3. Cheltenham Countryside Raceday – Friday 11th November

4. Middlesex University – calling all would-be Olympians



1. Simon Hart on John Jackson

At the end of this week’s board meeting John Jackson stepped down as Alliance Chairman and Kate Hoey officially took over. In the seven years of John’s Chairmanship, the Alliance has become Britain’s pre-eminent and most recognisable rural campaigning organisation.

Over this period of time, more and more people have come to realise that individual rural activities cannot be dealt with in isolation, because the countryside is complex and interconnected. With the Alliance’s ongoing commitment to all country sports as strong as ever, we have also recognised that these activities can only be properly explained as part of a broader and deeper aspect of rural life.

John Jackson’s firm belief in the important position that hunting held in the rural community is one strong reason why public opinion and media coverage of the subject has shifted so drastically. The last few years have been turbulent and challenging ones, requiring a steady hand on the tiller.

If the Hunting Act is to be repealed or improved it is essential that all of the arguments in favour of hunting continue to be won. It is therefore no coincidence that this week the BBC is reporting that support for hunts in some areas has grown despite the Hunting Act (read the story here), and that hunts are testing the law with determination. This is a strong practical and moral platform from which our new Chairman, Kate Hoey, can continue to champion the causes that we all stand for and achieve the objectives that we have set.


2. The Best Rural Retailer competition closes in five days – vote now

The Alliance’s Best Rural Retailer competition closes in five days time, so please ensure that if your local retailer is an ambassador for local produce, you have told us. Only those nominated can be judged, so if your retailer doesn’t make the cut and you didn’t tell us, don’t blame us! Simply email info@countryside-alliance.org and tell us who you are, who your retailer is, where it is and why that retailer should be named Best Rural Retailer.

Thank you to the hundreds of you from all over the UK who have nominated so far – there has been a huge diversity of nominations, with evidence that retailers are going that extra mile to serve their community. 12 regional winners will be announced by the end of November and will go forward to the national final. The overall national winner will be judged by:

1. Simon Hart, Chief Executive, Countryside Alliance
2. Zac Goldsmith, rural champion and editor of the Ecologist magazine
3. Dr Stuart Burgess, Chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities and the Government’s Rural Advocate
4. Alexia Robinson, Director, British Food Fortnight
5. Mike Stones, Deputy Editor, Farmer Weekly magazine

3. Cheltenham Countryside Raceday – Friday 11th November

Tickets are still available for our Cheltenham Countryside Race Day on Friday 11th November.

With six sponsored races, a tented shopping and entertainment village, and a parade of hounds this promises to be a great day out.

Proceeds will be shared by the Countryside Alliance and Greatwood Caring for Retired Racehorses.

Tickets for entry to the Brunch Pavilion on Friday 11th November cost £50 + vat and include Club admission, a bucks fizz reception, brunch and afternoon tea. For all tickets, please call 01242 226226. Entry tickets cost £18 if booked before Saturday 5th November and £20 thereafter, but tickets bought online at www.cheltenham.co.uk cost just £16.

4. Middlesex University – calling all would-be Olympians

Middlesex University is offering two £30,000 Future Gold scholarships to UK full-time undergraduate students who join Middlesex in September 2006. These scholarships are aimed at developing potential Olympic talent in time for the 2012 London Olympics, and is a perfect opportunity for young competitive shots.

The University’s website says that this is all you have to do:
· apply for any Middlesex undergraduate programme
· put Middlesex as one of your UCAS choices
· when it’s time to make a first and second final choice, put Middlesex first
· enrol in September 2006 at Middlesex
· successfully complete your first semester assessment
· ask the coach or mentor who knows your sports standing best to help you complete the application form
· you will need a letter of support from your sport’s national body, indicating your potential as a 2012 Olympian for Great Britain

The two Middlesex Future Gold Scholars will be chosen in January 2007. You receive a £30,000 scholarship over three years, provided you continue to participate in your sport at national level, and, of course, complete your academic work successfully each year.
Read more here




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In the News - the Alliance website brings you regularly updated topical and relevant news stories.

Internet Service Providers can on occasion mistake the grass e-route for spam. If this has ever happened to you, and to ensure that it doesn't happen again, add the email address news@countryside-alliance.org to your contacts book. The grass e-route will then be recognised by your account.

[OutFlying]

Lee,
Since you have some form of contact with the CA, why not ask them why the Hunts are endangering the sport of falconry with the use of bops with the hounds and the Countryside Alliance are doing nothing about it ? Hardly an Alliance but a Pro Fox Hunting Political voice that doesn't care as much about minority field sports.

Jim.

[Kevin Massey]

fair comment that jim

[Finnish]

Jim i have no contact with them i just keep getting e-mails from them. Don't even no how they got my e-mail address. But i will send them an e-mail asking them why.

Lee

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

Just to remember, a few fox hunters are also falconers and will happy follow the hunt with a falcon/hawk/owl whatever on the hand to use the "falconry loophole". So dont go down to hard on the fox hunters until you have all the facts right behind it, who is to blame, fox hunter, falconer, gouverment, antis etc etc???