Lambing season is already underway and I notice a few of our dairy famers in particular are busy calving. The shooting season is coming to a close and last minute days are being booked up in haste to get one more in before February. Boxing Day and New Year’s Day meets saw record crowds and weather was far kinder than last year. 2012 has had a pretty good start - including the Countryside Alliance Awards reception at the Senedd last week - here I am with Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development Mr John Griffiths AM who kindly presented the Awards.

Last few tickets remain for this popular event. This year, we take our very own “pop-up restaurant” to one of last year’s Award winners – Myddfai Hall in Carmarthenshire. Word got about before the flyers were printed and there are only a handful of tickets remaining. Three course lunch with tea and coffee for £16 per person cooked by our very own Racing Chef Matty Thomas. The Countryside Alliance pop up bar will also make an appearance with very reasonable prices charged. Please e-mail rachel-evans@countryside-alliance.org or phone 07825337978 to reserve your tickets.

• Local Food category Champion: Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, Hawarden, Flintshire,01244 533442 http://hawardenestate.co.uk 
• Second place: Beacons Farm Shop, Middlewood Farm, Brecon, Powys, 01874 730929, http://www.beaconsfarmshop.co.uk/Beacons-Farm-Shop-About-Us.html 
• Commended: Goetre Farm Shop, Llandysul, Carmarthenshire, 01570 480671, www.goetrefarm.co.uk 

• Village Shop category Champion: Cwm Trannon, Trefeglwys, Caersws, Powys, 01686 430430, www.cwmtrannon.co.uk 
• Second place: The Village Stores, Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire, 01267 241756
• Commended: Tregaron Post Office, Tregaron, Ceredigion, 08457 22 33 44
• Commended: Merlins Bridge Post Office, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, 01437 762521

• Enterprise category Champion: Bob Valentine Shooting School, Wern Newydd, Llanbedrog, Gwynedd, 01758 740 810, http://www.theshootingschool.com 
• Second place: Caroline's Real Bread Company, Merthyr Cynog, Brecon, Powys, 01874 690 378, www.carolinesrealbreadcompany.co.uk 
• Commended: Pethau Melys, Yr Harbwr, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, 01766 512569
• Commended: The Golden Lion, Llangynhafal, Denbigh, Clwyd, 01824 790451 www.thegoldenlioninn.com 

• Butcher category Champion: T.J. Roberts Butchers, Bala, Gwynedd, 01678 520471
• Second place: William Lloyd Williams, Machynlleth, Powys 01654 702106 www.wil-lloyd.co.uk 
• Commended: W J George Butchers, Talgarth, Powys, 01874 711233, www.talgarthmeat.com 
• Commended: Martin Player Butcher, Whitchurch, Cardiff, 02920 616094 www.martinplayer.com

Young Rhys Wilson from Powys has been selected to run this years London Marathon for us and we are delighted to have this country enthusiast on board. Rhys, who is studying at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester really needs your support so please do sponsor him as he is running for the future and protection of our countryside.
You can sponsor Rhys by card payment either from our web page or by contacting our head office on 020 7840 9258 where Hester Abbatt will be able to take your call and inform Rhys of his sponsors. 

The Welsh Government has announced the second consultation on their proposals to introduce legislation that was initially set out to combat puppy farming. Although our lobbying has been effective and we see some improvements for those who keep working dogs, elements of the legislation still remain a concern.

I am particularly keen to hear from those of you with veterinary experience and canine behaviour but please do contact me if you have the time to assist us with making a formal response to the consultation whether you are a vet or not. I suggest you e-mail me or call me to discuss if you feel that you can help. The consultation closes in March but we need you to register your support as soon as possible. I look forward to hearing from you.

Diolch am eich cefnogaeth cyson, mae’r Cynghrair Cefn Gwlad yn mynd o nerth i nerth. Edrychwn ymlaen i 2012 ac i’r gwaith a wnewn ni i gofalu a hysbysebu cefn gwlad.

Thank you for your continued support, The Countryside Alliance goes form strength to strength. We look forward to 2012 and to our work that protects and promotes our countryside.