Countryside Alliance - love the countryside

The Countryside Alliance's events listing is constantly updated and aims to keep you in touch with rural events of interest across the UK.

This list is not exhaustive. If you know of an event which you feel will be of interest to Countryside Alliance members and supporters, please email details to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Point to Point season is underway - visit the Weatherbys Point to Point website for fixtures.

Friday 19th February 2010 - The Chipstable Hunt Committee is holding a Hunt Ball at Taunton School on Friday 19th February 2010, the anniversary of the hunt ban. We are ALL still here 5 yrs on. The cost of a ticket will be £65.00 for which you will get 7 for 7.30 start, finish at 2am, carriages at 2.15am, Champagne on arrival. Top class three course meal 2 bottles of red wine, 2 bottles of white wine and 2 bottles of mineral water per table of 8/10. Live music all evening starting with a piano player and then dancing to Time Eight. Further details from Tel 01884 820994, Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Friday 19th February - The Countryside and Forces Raceday. Fakenham Racecourse is staging its eleventh annual amateur riders charity race. For the past ten years this race has raised funds for and awareness of the countryside and country sports and this year will benefit the Countryside Alliance and armed forces rehabilitation charity Help for Heroes, hence the new name. The charity race goes off at 12 noon which is, for the fourth year running, being generously sponsored by Ames Nissan from Thetford. The West Norfolk Foxhounds will parade on the course in front of the grandstands at 12.30 pm. The first of seven National Hunt race is off at 1.25pm. The cost of admission is: - Members £18; Grandstand & Paddock £13 and Course Enclosure £8 per adult with children 16 and under FREE.Amateur Race 12.00 noon, National Hunt Racing starts at 1.25 pm. Book tickets here.

Sunday 21 February 2010 - Jackson -Stops & Staff Wessex Point-to-Point - The Camels are BACK!
One of the biggest and most diverse Point-to Points-in the country, the Jackson-Stops & Staff Wessex Point-to-Point is delighted to announce the return of the inter-hunt camel race at Badbury Rings, near Wimborne, Dorset. The day repeatedly provides some of the best racing of the season and consistently attracts record entries. The event’s huge success is also based on its family appeal with children’s and rural activities, country crafts, excellent trade stands and local food stalls. Badbury Rings is renowned as one of the best point-to-point courses in the country with the whole course visible from the adjacent car park hill top and views across one of the most beautiful parts of Dorset. Gates open at 9.30am and from then on visitors can enjoy a meet of the RoyalAgriculturalCollege’s Beagles, a horn blowing competition, a silent auction, thrilling jump racing, a bouncy castle, bucking bronco, and some diverse trade stands to suit all interests. Richard Fry, Chairman of the Point-to-Point commented, “the point-to-point is now an established Wessex event and I am delighted that we are able to see the return of camels on Badbury Rings – not exactly an everyday occurance”. Charlie Bladon of Jackson-Stops & Staff added “We are delighted to support this event and raise funds for the Dorset Air Ambulance and the Countryside Alliance, both of whom do so much to support those who live in, work in and enjoy our beautiful Dorset countryside”. For more information on attending, patrons packages, entry prices and sponsorship or to bring a trade stand, please see www.countryside-alliance.org/wessexp2p

Thursday 25 February 2010 - The Devon Committee of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust invites you to an evening talk at the South Molton Rugby Club on 'Current Issues in Woodcock Conservation' The talk will be by Dr Andrew Hoodless covering his research into resident numbers, migration patterns and winter behaviour of this iconic gamebird. 6.30 pm for a 7 o'clock start and the talk will take approximately an hour. Cost is £15 a head. This includes a hot meal and a cash bar will be available. Further details contact Jamie Daniell on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 07970 524177.

Friday 12th March 2010 - Grand Military Gold Cup Day – Sandown Park, Surrey. The Grand Military Race Meeting is held each year at Sandown Park Racecourse in Surrey on the Friday before the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival. It has been held since 1841 and hosted at Sandown Park since 1881. We have again reserved a Suite with a sensational panoramic view of the racecourse and paddock. A two course lunch, afternoon tea and tote facilities are all provided. There will be an auction after lunch to raise funds for countryside campaigns. We hope that you will join us and our sponsors, Charles Stanley, on Friday 12th March in support of the Countryside Alliance and celebrate this historic day. Tickets for Members enclosure, car park, lunch and tea are available at a special rate of £85 per person. Or take a table for £800.00. A special offer is available exclusively to Countryside Alliance Members: if you do not wish to attend the lunch, buy your premier enclosure badges through the Countryside Alliance for just £20, saving £5! Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Michelle Nudds on 01903 884179

23rd March 2010. Scottish Countryside Alliance Wine and Whisky Auction and dinner. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for details of how you can be a part of this exclusive event to raise funds for the SCA.

Wednesday 31 March, 7pm - The South Oxfordshire Committee presents "A Grand National Evening" with guests Marcus Armytage, John Francome, Richard Pitman PLUS a surprise guest. Windmill Farm Conference Centre, Main Street, Clanfield, Bampton, Oxon, OX18 2SN
Tales and anecdotes from a life in racing plus insider tips for the 2010 Grand National - an evening of entertainment not to be missed! Tickets £25.00 include drinks reception with canapés - Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or send cheque to Sara Rutherford, 3 Rose Lane, Fyfield, Andover, SP11 8ER  Cheques payable to The Countryside Alliance

Sunday 18th April - Ascot Countryside Race Day. Top class National Hunt Racing and fun for all the family, including the Huntsman’s Race for Repeal, parades of hounds, ferret and duck racing,shopping, gundogs, sheepdog trials, a bucking sheep, laser shooting,bandstand sing song and much more. Tickets from £16, Children under 18 go free. Book in advance and save £6 by quoting GRASSROOTS. To book tickets call 0870 727 1234 or visit www.ascot.co.uk

Sunday 9th May 2010 - Ugbrooke Park Simulated Clay Shoot. Once again we are delighted to be holding the Ugbrooke Clay Shoot by kind permission of Lord and Lady Clifford. The day comprises teams of 4 guns shooting 5 drives around the estate grounds simulating a typical driven game day but using clays instead. The drives will include partridge, duck, pheasant, pigeon and rabbit and will be based on a 400 bird day for each team. A two course lunch is included along with tea at the end of the day. Guns can shoot any time between 10am and 4pm and there will be a break for lunch at 1pm. Tickets are £70 per person (fully inclusive) for teams of 4 guns and must be booked in advance. To reserve at team please send a cheque for £280 made payable to the Countryside Alliance and send to Borough Farm, Holbeton, Plymouth, Devon, PL8 1JJ. Enquiries to Alison Hawes on 01752 830430

Friday 23rd-Sunday 25th July - The CLA Game Fair will be held at Ragely Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire, for the first time. Click here for more information.