Welcome to the first Grass e-route message of the New Year. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Boxing Day was a huge success with record crowds out with every hunt in the Eastern Region. The press coverage was outstanding with several of our MPs attending meets in their constituencies to reinforce their commitment to repeal of the Hunting Act. We should all be heartened by the message from the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Jim Paice MP, who visited the Fitzwilliam Hounds in Milton Park to record this event.

Several packs in the Eastern Region were featured in the local press and on television. Thank-you to all Masters and Hunt staff who had this added pressure to contend with on such a busy day in the Hunting calendar.

I, along with some committee members, have been out judging the finalists in the CA Awards, or the “Rural Oscars” as they are commonly referred to now. Whilst this is an extremely pleasurable task, it is also a very hard one as the standard of all our finalists is so high and the contribution that they make to their local communities is so immense. Picking the winner will not be easy, but I would like to thank everyone who nominated and congratulate all nominees on your vision for a thriving rural economy. A reminder of the finalists is below.

At the end of this message are several dates for your diaries, including the return of the CA Race Day at Newmarket on Friday 8th June 2012. This will include a charity race for Masters and Huntsmen, so make a note in your diary and come for a great day out. More details will be in the next grass e-route.

I look forward to seeing many of you over the next few weeks at point-to-points or other functions. If you would like an event publicised on this grass e-route in the future, please email me on william-burton@countryside-alliance.org.

We had several high profile campaigns running in the lead up to Christmas, which received good media coverage. These included:

FUEL DUTY: A well reported campaign, especially in the local press, in the run up to the Autumn statement with particular reference to the added cost of the rural commute and called for the postponement of the proposed added 3p increase in fuel duty.

FOOD PROCUREMENT: With particular emphasis on the amount (or lack of) British food being served up in schools and hospitals. This was well received and again achieved good media coverage.

The Countryside Alliance has today announced that Jamie Stewart is to join the Shooting Campaign as a Shooting Consultant. In his new role Jamie will be responsible for developing the Alliance training and skills programmes and expanding the network of shoots in the South West.

Founder and MD of Westcountry wildlife services - a wildlife consultancy and training enterprise - Jamie Stewart is a third generation gamekeeper/deer manager with a lifetime’s experience of managing wildlife and habitat in the UK.

Jamie said:

“I am delighted to be joining the Countryside Alliance and hope that I can contribute to the continued success of the organisation through the provision of specialist shooting, gamekeeping, deer management and conservation advice to members and the wider countryside community.”

David Taylor, Shooting Campaign Manager for the Countryside Alliance, said:

“We are very pleased to be able to announce Jamie’s appointment, which further shows what great strides the Countryside Alliance Shooting Campaign is making. Alongside myself, Moorlands Director Adrian Blackmore and fellow shooting consultant Graham Downing, the Alliance Shooting Campaign now possess a formidable team that should be the first point of call for any shooter seeking advice.”

Prior to his appointment by the Alliance, Jamie formally held the position of Director South West England for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation where he provided a credible and authoritative presence for the association in the South West of England; developing the regional strategy and a team to deliver a service whilst maintaining the highest levels of professionalism and integrity in the relationships formed with sporting shooters and the wider countryside community.

Jamie has achieved considerable success in influencing external bodies and organisations, including the securing of £1.6 million from the South West Regional Development Agency to promote the South West as a sporting desination of choice. He has a demonstrable track record in the delivering of ambitious projects and providing leadership and management for distinctly differing teams guiding them to deliver as individuals and as teams.  

The National Sporting Auction is being organised by Cheffins on behalf of the Countryside Alliance. Items donated need not be of a sporting nature; Cheffins are able to deal with a comprehensive range of lots ranging from furniture, paintings, ceramics, silver and glass to contemporary design, oriental works of art and wine, all of which may be entered to benefit the Alliance with a special highly discounted rate of commission. Entries close 11th February 2012.

The Regional finalists for the Eastern Region in the Countryside Alliance Awards are as follows. Judging is currently ongoing and the regional winners will be announced in the coming weeks. Good luck to all!

De Burgh Bassetts Supper – Friday 27th January 2012
The De Burgh & North Essex Harehounds are holding a supper on Friday January 27th 2012 at The White Hart, Great Yeldham Essex with special guest Sir Johnny Scott Bt MFH. The ‘Countryman’ side of the TV series with Clarissa Dickson –Wright; Johnny is the President of the UCSW and Joint Master of the North Pennine Foxhounds.
Cost of the supper is £28 / head for a 3 course meal; Roast Pork, Chocolate Pudding & Cheeseboard.
Anyone wishing to book or require more information email ednaphilp@msn.com or call 01787 461029
The MBHA is celebrating it centenary in 2012 and will be organising a special Hare week for all the member packs in early February, details later.

Suffolk Committee Game Supper – Saturday 4th February 2012
The Suffolk Committee invite you to join them on Saturday 4th February 2012 for the biennial Game Supper at Glemham Hall, Suffolk, IP13 0BT. Tickets available at £35pp or £325 for table of 10 (incl welcome drink).
For further information and to book tickets (limited) please contact Philip Hope-Cobbold 01728 746219 or philip@glemhamhall.co.uk

Fakenham Race Day – Friday 17th February 2012
Fakenham Race day will take place on Friday 17th February 2012. For further information and to book tickets please see: www.fakenhamracecourse.co.uk

National Sporting Auction – March 2012
The National Sporting Auction is being organised by Cheffins on behalf of the Countryside Alliance. Items donated need not be of a sporting nature; Cheffins are able to deal with a comprehensive range of lots ranging from furniture, paintings, ceramics, silver and glass to contemporary design, oriental works of art and wine, all of which may be entered to benefit the Alliance with a special highly discounted rate of commission. Entries close 11th February 2012.