The 2011 Countryside Alliance Awards, known as the 'Rural Oscars', are well underway and need your nominations now. Please nominate your favourite rural businesses and community heroes today. These Awards, which are our annual celebration of rural communities, businesses and produce, have fast become the awards to win and the feel good factor they deliver is inspiring. Nominate now at www.countrysideallianceawards.org.uk

The 2011 Awards will run across five categories which emphasis the scope of rural business:

1. Local Food
2. Daily Telegraph Village Shop/ Post Office
3. Enterprise
4. Butcher
5. Hunter Rural Hero

The Awards provide a window into rural life for the media and are also enthusiastically supported by politicians across the political spectrum. Their appeal lies in the fact that they are simple, positive and bring people together with a common aim of preserving and enjoying our communities and landscapes.

I look forward to judging this year's regional contenders and hope everyone nominates at least one business - there is plenty to shout about so please nominate today and help us give rural businesses a boost. Nominations must be received by 21st October.

In the current economic climate charities have to be ever-more resourceful, and The Countryside Alliance Foundation is no different. We have been working hard to create new ways for our supporters to raise money for us, but without asking for you to put your hand into your pocket again.

We are delighted to introduce you to Shop for the Countryside, an ingenious way for you to help us raise money - at no cost to you. Partnering with Give as you Live, thousands of online shops including John Lewis, Boden, and Marks & Spencer have signed up to donate a percentage of each online purchase you make to the Countryside Alliance Foundation, at no cost to you.

Simply visit www.shopforthecountryside.com which will allow thousands of other online shops to donate to us as well.

Please remember to Shop for the Countryside next time you book a train ticket, renew your car insurance or book a well-deserved holiday. During these difficult times we remain as committed as ever to the mission of The Countryside Alliance Foundation, and I thank you in advance for helping us to raise money to continue our work. 

Countryside Alliance is seeking to appoint a Campaign for Hunting Manager who will be responsible for the continued success of a distinct, inspirational and emblematic Countryside Alliance Campaign for Hunting, promoting hunting and all its positive attributes to the general public, media, politicians and rural communities. Applicants are sought who will work closely with colleagues across a range of disciplines and develop initiatives that work towards the positive image and future of hunting. Candidates with a direct involvement in hunting and commitment to the Countryside Alliance Campaign for Hunting will be at a distinct advantage.

There will be extensive day to day liaison with a wide range of stake holders as well as co-ordination and implementation of major events. The successful candidate will be an effective, professional person with well-honed personal skills and a high level of written and oral communication skills. Qualities of persuasiveness and assertiveness combined with empathy and the ability to work as part of a team will all be considered essential. This is a role for a resilient, energetic and committed person.

An attractive remuneration package is offered according to achievements and experience. This role will be based in London and the regions. The Countryside Alliance is an equal opportunities employer. ?If you are interested in applying for this role, please send a covering letter together with a CV to Kate-Horseman@Countryside-Alliance.org. The closing date of applications is Friday 28th October. Please no agencies.

The long awaited Government response to the Home Affairs Select Committee's Firearms Report was published late last week. Thanks to the hard work of the Countryside Alliance, its members and supporters, a balanced and sensible response has resulted and I am happy to update you on some of the key issues.

You will recall that the Home Affairs Select Committee Inquiry was set up to look at controls on firearms. The Countryside Alliance submitted written and oral evidence to the Committee's Inquiry, and I know thousands of you also responded to the call for evidence. Participation in the process and high levels of engagement from everyone concerned with the defence and promotion of shooting clearly made a powerful case for shooting both to the Committee and the Government.

Broadly speaking we welcome the Government's response to the Home Affairs Committee's Report and are greatly encouraged by the Government's determination to move forward on the basis of evidence rather than knee-jerk reactions. Too often there is a rush to legislate which penalises law abiding shooters while doing nothing to address the real problem of gun crime.

We welcome the Government's comments that:

• Gun crime is a social issue, and measures are being taken to address this separately though crime initiatives, dealing with the media and also by updating Home Office guidance. 
• It is not opposed to young people participating in sports shooting.
• It does not propose changing the minimum ages at which young people can possess guns. 
• The current differentiation between controls on shotguns and firearms will be maintained.

However, we are concerned that:

• The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the British Medical Association (BMA) will be drawing up guidance regarding GP involvement in firearms licensing without the explicit involvement of the shooting associations. Shooters are key stakeholders in this process and must be fully engaged in the development of any guidance for GPs.
• The Government may look at the proposal that current and ex partners should be included in the application process. This is potentially a highly emotionally charged process and would herald a field day for every vindictive ex-partner to do their worst. We continue to resist any such proposal. 
• The proposal to increase fees is not currently linked to a review of procedures to ensure that the administration of the firearms acts is both efficient and cost effective. Fee levels must be equitable and must not discourage people from entering the sport of shooting, especially in the Olympic year. 

We will continue to work closely with the Government to ensure new guidance and other proposals are fair and workable. 

13th-18th December 2011 – The London International Horse Show

This year at the London International Horse Show at Olympia there is something for everyone from the equestrian world; “Extreme Driving” a driving competition about speed, accuracy and immense skill, the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Qualifier, Jumping classes including the Alltech Puissance, The Rolex FEI World Cup Qualifier, plus Olympia favourites, Dog Agility, Shetland Pony Grand National and the Christmas Finale, plus not forgetting the shopping experience!

For further information on tickets and program please visit www.olympiahorseshow.com or call 0871 230 5580

If you would like your event listed – send date, location and contact details for the event to michelle-nudds@countryside-alliance.org