Countryside Alliance

[Mr. X]

"16th July 2009


1. Hunts look forward to repeal

2. DEFRA abandoning small farmers?

3. Rural Action Plan




1. Hunts look forward to repeal

The Show season is now in full swing. I have been at Ardingly recently, the Great Yorkshire is on right now and we have the Peterborough Festival of Hunting in prospect next week with Honiton to be held in August. Add the Royal Welsh and the Game Fair and the opportunities for country people to discuss what the future holds are plenty.

And as we approach an election the talk is increasingly about the future of hunting, and thus the wider countryside. Four years ago we stated our intention to fight the ban and labelled the Hunting Act a temporary law. I was even reprimanded for suggesting that hunting's future was more secure than Alun Michael's ministerial one..

Few, even of those who hunt, can have really have believed how successful the campaign against the ban would be. The positive mood shows that there is real belief in the campaign for repeal, and that the long wait could be almost over. However, let's be wary of complacency.

The Hunting Act is unique in that its effects are entirely negative. It diminishes respect for Parliament; it puts law-abiding people at risk of prosecution; it diverts police attention from real crime; it brings no benefit to the environment; it is a blatant example of political prejudice, and it does nothing for the welfare or conservation of the species it claims to "protect". It has been the consistent and determined explanation of the case for repeal that has been the key. We must never miss an opportunity to do so, and nor should organisations such as Vote OK, which co-ordinates rural networks to support sensible candidates for Parliament.

Who knows who might win the next election? But to hear William Hague, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, speak at the Masters of Foxhounds Association annual meeting in June provided significant encouragement. Mr Hague could not have been clearer about the law or his party's plans for it: "A Conservative government will give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote and in government time. This has been our position, and it will remain our position."

Importantly he explained the principles of why Governments should get rid of bad laws.

Increasing numbers of MPs and candidates from all parties understand that the law does not work and they are pledging their support to get rid of it. They also understand that, whatever they may think about hunting, the majority of people know that the law has not worked, and the UK media is now routinely calling for its demise.

So, on the eve of the Game Fair at Belvoir Castle we find ourselves as close as we have ever been to a victory in an extraordinary political battle; one that could change forever the relationship between Government and the countryside. The last furlong is, however, always the hardest and there are many obstacles still to negotiate. At the Great Yorkshire this week the hound show was moved right to the centre of the show, highlighting the fact that hunting is not separate but an integral part of the countryside. This is something our opponents have never understood, and a key part of why the Hunting Act has failed.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive

Repeal of the Hunting Act forms a key part of our Rural Manifesto, and you can sign up to it here

2. DEFRA abandoning small farmers?

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is currently running a consultation which could see small farmers eliminated from subsidies.

DEFRA is currently holding a "Consultation on implementation of the CAP health check reforms relating to the Single Payment Scheme and other direct payments". It suggests making payments only to those with five hectares or more, rather one hectare or more as at present. The consultation document suggests "a higher minimum area would lead to greater annual administrative savings for the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) as they would have fewer claims to fully process and inspect.. Farmers who do not wish to lose their entitlements could lease or purchase additional entitlements".

Even by DEFRA's standards this suggestion is astonishing. It is not rocket science that by making the criteria harder fewer people will qualify and therefore fewer payments will have to be made, but if this suggestion is implemented it will deal a body blow to small farmers. I am also concerned that any savings made would not be invested in farming but would be used to pay off the RPA's administration debts. Small holders shouldn't foot the bill for repaying the RPA's blunders by being excluded from SPS payments.

Around about 45% of holdings across England alone are five hectares or less in size, many of them struggling in this economic climate. To suggest in such a cavalier manner that they can simply "lease or purchase additional entitlements" if they don't want to lose their payments is offensive. The farming community has been paying the price for the RPA's mismanagement for too long, but now to simply cut out the most vulnerable group of claimants shows a contempt for farming that we hoped we would never see.

The consultation closes on 22nd of July and anyone can respond here.

3. Rural Action Plan

The Conservative Party has recently published a new document entitled "Rural Action: A Conservative Agenda for Rural Communities." It outlines the party's plans for the countryside should it win the General Election. Rural Action focuses on four fronts:

1. Respect rural people - by regulating only where self-regulation fails

2. Power to rural communities - by reversing the centralised Whitehall decision making process

3. Protect rural services - by recognising social value alongside economic and environmental value

4. Revive the rural economy - by delivering sustainable jobs by reducing barriers to business growth

You can read the document here. We look forward to reporting on the other parties' plans for rural Britain in due course.
"

 

[Mr. X]

Countryside Alliance - Remote Medicine Training

"2. Remote medicine training

Anyone who has experienced a medical emergency in a remote rural area will know of the importance of fast action in the event of a serious injury or condition. Now, a new course, backed by the Countryside Alliance, offers training for any person living or working in a rural environment. The First Aid Rural Medicine (FARM) course takes place over two days and is aimed specifically to deal with worst case scenarios, whether that means an injury caused by farm machinery, chainsaws or, more rarely, firearms. It also looks at coping with more obvious medical emergencies in the field such as a heart attack or diabetic coma.

All of the training team for the First Aid Rural Medicine (FARM) course are ex military medics and instructors with operational experience from desert, jungle, arctic and temperate environments and currently maintain their skills as paramedics within the NHS. The course follows criteria laid out by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and has been developed with the assistance of the Royal Agricultural College Rural Skills management team.

The course is run by 7MST, part of the Surveillance Group based in Hereford. Steve Benbow from 7MST said: 'Standard first aid training, for instance, relies on a quick response from the emergency services. The FARM course challenges this by applying continuous casualty care with the assumption of a delayed NHS response due to the terrain or poor communications.

'The UK has one of the world's best health services, but unfortunately in some locations it is quicker to get a take away meal delivered than an ambulance. Fortunately some communities have addressed the short fall in response times with community first responders, who are all generally qualified with First Person on Scene (FPOS) award. The FARM course also comes with an FPOS qualification and additionally teaches you advanced techniques in haemorrhage control and extremity trauma, through to delayed evacuation and prolonged field care, keeping the casualty warm fed and watered if need be.'

For more information or to book onto a forthcoming course, contact Steve Benbow on 0845 834 0144 or email: steve@7mst.co.uk"

 

[Mr. X]

"
20th August 2009

1. Action on rural broadband
2. RSPB Nature of Farming Award - vote now
3. Hunting Act: riding towards repeal?
4. New Defra flood protection money falls short on flood defences
5. Get your views across on "Kill it, Cook it, Eat it"
1. Action on rural broadband

Improving Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is a key issue across the country, with 10 per cent of households not being able to receive the basic level of service. It is a particular problem in rural areas, where 42 per cent of households can't get a basic level of service. The Government has guaranteed broadband speeds of two megabits per second for every household by 2012, but has not ruled out higher broadband subscription charges for rural households to deliver it.

Accessing public services in remote rural communities can often be difficult, sometimes requiring long round trips to access services such as health care, banking or the Post Office. But the use of ICT can sometimes bridge the distance in miles between need and delivery.

While we all want action on bringing those areas of the country where broadband is non existent up to speed, and the Rural Services Network, of which the Countryside Alliance is a member, is currently collecting evidence on ways in which remote rural communities are using ICT and improving access to it to help rural residents' access public services.

South Witham Broadband, an award winning local Internet Service Provider, is a text book successful example of an organisation helping rural communities' access public services through ICT. They set up a community satellite broadband when BT refused to upgrade the exchange and continue to support local people and businesses. They were awarded Highly Commended in last year's Countryside Alliance Awards.

So if you, or someone you know, are involved in using ICT or providing access to it to help deliver public services please submit evidence click here.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive

2. RSPB Nature of Farming Award - vote now

The RSPB says "We've joined forces with BBC Countryfile Magazine, Plantlife and Butterfly Conservation to look for the top farms for wildlife from across the UK. Now in its second year, the Nature of Farming Award celebrates the efforts of farmers providing for wildlife. Why not vote for your favourite farm and help to decide the winner? It takes particular dedication and care to run a farm that creates terrific wildlife habitat - and be economically viable. That's why we're delighted to work with farmers who are making great efforts and who act as ambassadors for wildlife in the farming community."

There are four shortlisted candidates for this award, and there are still two weeks left in which to nominate your favourite. We are aware that Stephen Gibson, Treasurer of Ampleforth Beagles, farms in Yorkshire and is a great countryman who also shoots and fishes. His farm, Birkdale, is in the running for this award. Stephen is a great conservationist and is living, working evidence that those who hunt also truly love the countryside.

You can cast your vote here
3. Hunting Act: riding towards repeal?

The case brought under the Hunting Act against Robert McCarthy, Huntsman of the Percy Hunt in Northumberland, collapsed last week due to insufficient evidence. Mr McCarthy had been charged with illegally hunting a mammal but the District Judge Stephen Earl ruled there was insufficient evidence and threw the case out.

Robert McCarthy was charged over an alleged incident on 12th November 2008 and three days had been set aside at South East Northumberland Magistrates to hear it. Following the collapse of the case Mr McCarthy has been awarded costs.

Robert's case is yet another publicly funded fiasco that should never have happened. He has had the threat of this prosecution hanging over him for nine months for a case that should never have got to court in the first place. Questions must now be asked about how much this has cost the public purse. Judge Stephen Earl said in court that the prosecution's evidence was "thin" and we are gratified that he has thrown the case out, although baffled as to why three days in court were set aside for the hearing.

The Hunting Act is a pernicious law whose effects are entirely negative, and the collapse of Robert's case is hopefully another nail in its coffin. It is unworkable, hard to interpret and sees innocent people like Robert live under the stress of prosecution when they were trying their best to adhere to the law in the first place. The only answer is to repeal the Hunting Act. Never again should anyone have to go through the stress that Robert has had to go through.

4. New Defra flood protection money falls short on flood defences

The Countryside Alliance has branded as "way short of what is needed" Defra's announcement that £16 million is to be made available for local authorities to help them tackle surface water flooding.

This money, set aside to implement the recommendations of the Pitt Review will be directed to the 77 authorities most at risk - this works out to be only around £125,000 per authority.

The summer floods of 2007 caused £3 billion worth of damage alone effecting 57,000 homes and 7,100 businesses. The Environment Agency estimated that two thirds of these homes were flooded from surface water run off over loading drainage systems. The Government's Foresight Report estimates that currently 80,000 properties are at very high risk from surface water flooding, causing an average of £270 million of damage each year. This highlights the inadequacy of the new funding allocated by Defra.

A Local Government Association survey found that 60 per cent of councils did not have the necessary funds to fulfil their flood risk responsibilities. So considering the financial and human cost of flood damage, this money is a drop in the ocean of what local authorities need to adequately protect homes and businesses from flooding.

The Countryside Alliance believes the Defra flood money is way short of what is needed to protect hundreds of thousands of people and livelihoods. It is essential for the Government to make the right investment for adequate flood protection measures to avoid the crippling costs of floods due to increase because of climate change.

5. Get your views across on "Kill it, Cook it, Eat it"

Another series of the BBC Three series "Kill it, Cook it, Eat it" is in production and the producers of the show are looking for "intelligent, articulate people to join the debate." You will remember the last series, which dealt fairly with game and which the Countryside Alliance helped to set up.

BBC Three tell us "This new series will explore our attitudes to killing and eating farm animals. This series will cover every aspect of the process from rearing and caring for the animals through to the slaughter and preparation of meat for our consumption.

"We aim to challenge and probe your views on this issue: Why do you eat meat? Why are you vegetarian? Do you consider how your meat is sourced?

"Whether you're a vegetarian, a fast food junkie, a meat connoisseur or are curious to see for yourself the processes involved in getting meat from an animal in the field to the fork on your plate, then please get in touch.

"If you would like to be considered, simply give us a call on 020 7033 2262 or email harjeet.chhokar@dragonfly.tv."
"

 

[Mr. X]

The Countryside Alliance Awards 2009. (Forum staff member Podge got one last year):

http://www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/awards/​

 

[Mr. X]

"

Thursday, 10 September 2009​

1. Defra wrong on sporting rights
2. Hunting Newcomers Week set to be a hit
3. Win £1,000 towards your shopping with British Food Fortnight
4. Vote now in the Countryside Alliance Awards
5. What to look out for this weekend

Defra wrong on sporting rights

This week, representatives from the Countryside Alliance met the Minister for Marine and Natural Environment, Huw Irranca-Davies, to discuss the important but complex issue of the rights of owners of sporting rights under the coastal access provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, which will have its final Parliamentary stages later this Autumn. The meeting included representatives from the CLA, the Countryside Alliance, BASC and the Angling Trust.

At present, owners of sporting rights have no access to the 'independent appeals' process within the Bill an avenue open to pretty well everyone else. As it stands they can merely make a 'representation' to Natural England which will be ' summarised ' along with all other representations to the Secretary of State to consider before approving the proposals for coastal access in a given area. In practice someone who puts one sheep out to graze in someone else's field currently has more legal rights than a wildfowling club owning tens of thousands of pounds of sporting rights.

The Alliance and the CLA argued that owners of sporting rights should have full and equally statutory recognition and access to the independent appeals process in line with landowners and tenants. The Minister was only willing to offer an assurance that regulations under the Bill would ensure that representations made by owners of sporting rights would go in full to the Secretary of State and not in summary. Therefore we are forced to point out that claims by others at this meeting that 'a right of appeal to a Secretary of State' has been won are well wide of the mark., The effect of the proposed concession amounts to no more than a promise by the Secretary of State to read a letter which is sent to him, as opposed to reading a summary of that letter. It is NOT in any sense, a right of appeal.

Owners of sporting rights are ultimately being forced to rely on assurances from the Government and Natural England and will still not have full statutory recognition and protection. Past experience has shown that mere assurances are not always honoured in the longer term, which is why equality before the law is so vital in this instance. The absence of the ultimate right of recourse to the independent appeals process also means that there is a reduced "pressure" on Natural England and the Secretary of State to ensure that the legal rights of owners of sporting rights are properly respected and they are treated fairly. This should be of great concern to all shooters, holders of sporting rights, and supporters.

The outcome falls far short of what the Countryside Alliance and the CLA consider satisfactory or fair. The Alliance and the CLA lobbied strongly for all shooting interests (including wildfowling clubs, rough shoots and game shoots) who enjoy sporting rights to have equal rights in law and will continue to do so. It must surely be important for all shooting organisations to represent its members interests accordingly.

It is ironic that a Labour Government has given greater protection to grouse moor owners under 'right to roam' than it will to wildfowling clubs under coastal access, a point made by Labour MP, Martin Salter. It is also worth noting that this 'compromise' position does not sit comfortably with Labour's 2005 manifesto commitment 'not to interfere with the sport of shooting' or Labour's Charter for Shooting. The Minister could not have been more polite and engaging but ultimately he and his Defra team have failed to provide any justification for creating this inequality.

The Alliance, and the CLA, will continue to lobby for equal rights for sporting rights holders, and it is vital to do this now. In years to come, the shooting world may be faced with a Secretary of State who could simply brush aside the concerns of the shooting community because holders of valuable sporting rights will have no more right of appeal than a member of the public.

Action is needed now. Holders of sporting rights on the coast should write to their MP demanding that they are treated equally (with landowners/tenants) under law. If you would like further information please call James Legge at the Alliance (020 7840 9263).

Simon Hart, Chief Executive

Hunting Newcomers Week set to be a hit
Hunts will open their gates to newcomers in October for "Hunting Newcomers Week" (10-17th October)

Newcomers to hunting will get a taste of hunting, entirely free of charge, when hunts nationwide will open their doors to those with an interest in finding out more. Packs of all descriptions are giving people the opportunity to try exempt hunting, to learn more about the way hunts work and the role they play in the British countryside.

Hunting Newcomers' week has been very well supported countrywide by hunts, with packs in all areas taking part. Hunts will give both people who ride - and those who don't - the opportunity to hunt and see what it's all about.

Newcomers week offers a timely opportunity for the public to embrace and enjoy hunting. Hunts are being asked to provide one day pre-season hunting for free.

The future of hunting will not be ensured by repeal alone. Whenever repeal comes, and it seems increasingly imminent, hunting must continue to sell itself to new markets and encourage the next generation of support for hunts.

Estimates from last season suggest that there has been an 11% rise in support for hunts since the Act came into place. Hunting Week is designed to encourage further support, meaning hunts will remain an accessible community activity available to all for years to come.

Is your hunt taking part? We hope to get as much support as possible.

For further information on hunting week (hunts or participants) please email chloe-finch@countryside-alliance.org

Take part in British Food Fortnight and win £1,000 towards your shopping bill!
Running from 19th September to 4th October and now in its eighth year, British Food Fortnight is the biggest national celebration of the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces. Every major supermarket is running British food promotions during the event as are eight of the largest food service organisations and six major pub groups. Wembley Stadium, Grey Gables Hotel in Radio 4's The Archers, the Cabinet Office, the BBC, John Lewis and the National Trust are just a few of the famous establishments taking part. For details of events taking place around the country during the national food promotion, see Love British Food - Home.

To celebrate the biggest ever British Food Fortnight, the organisers are giving people the opportunity to win £1,000 in a cash draw. To enter simply go to Love British Food - Cash Draw Competition.

Vote now in the Countryside Alliance Awards

The fifth annual Countryside Alliance Awards open to nominations on Thursday 3rd September.

The Awards are the Countryside Alliance's celebration of communities, produce, enterprise and rural heritage. Voted for by the public, they applaud those who routinely go the extra mile for their community and help promote rural life.

The Award categories are:

. Local Food
. Village Shop/ Post Office
. Enterprise
. Daily Telegraph Traditional Business Award
. Rural Hero of 2009 - at national level only

We also invite nominations for political campaigners in two categories

. The Grassroots Award for local political campaigning
. The Westminster Award for a rural champion at Parliament

Vote now at Countryside Alliance Awards - Awards Home

What to do look out for this weekend

Look out for the Sunday Express' "S" Magazine this weekend, which we hope will feature a past participant of Casting for Recovery who has since taken up fly fishing.

Casting for Recovery is an Alliance-backed fly fishing initiative for women who have, or have had, breast cancer. Ladies are taken on free retreats where they take part in counselling sessions and also learn to fly fish, giving them gentle exercise and also enabling them respite and escape in tranquil surroundings. Retreats are run across the UK and Ireland and the schedule for 2010 will be available shortly. For more information, go to the website at Casting for Recovery - Home

Events listings are available from our website and include.

...

Hampshire County Sports Day, sponsored by Hunter will take place at Tichborne Park, Alresford. Gates open 9.30am and exhibits include a Hound Parade, Ferrets, Falconry, Gun Dogs, Clay Pigeon Shoot, Archery, Continuous Arena Programme, Trade Stands from around the UK. The best one day show in Hampshire. Don't miss it!

Frampton Country Fair on Sunday will see demonstrations of deer stalking, working dog training, side saddle and falconry amongst other exciting exhibits. For more information click here
In the News - the Alliance website brings you regularly updated topical and relevant news stories. "

 

[Mr. X]

Countryside Alliance Manifesto

With the British political party conference season upon us, the Countryside Alliance (which is not a political party) has published their manifesto for the political parties to consider. You can view it on-line at:

Countryside Alliance: Rural Manifesto​

 

[Mr. X]

"17th September 2009

1. Party Conferences and our big push
2. Repeal closer as Cumbrian case collapses?
3. Membership quarterly "Update" now online
4. Have your say on Future Countryside
5. Rural education a necessity

1. Party Conferences and our big push

We are now into the final annual Party Conference season before the General Election, giving us a vital chance to speak to politicians of all creeds about our Rural Manifesto and our goals for the countryside under the next Government, whatever colour it may be.

We were represented at the Plaid Cymru conference last week, a team will be at the Liberal Democrats next week and the Labour Party and Conservative Party conferences will be held on consecutive weeks after that. There is a real sense of anticipation as the build-up to the election continues, and the Countryside Alliance team will be using the opportunity to look politicians in the eye and re-emphasise the important role the countryside continues to play in national life.

We could be on the verge of real and lasting change in the way governments deal with the countryside, and it has never been more important that the Countryside Alliance has the ability to influence public, political and media opinion. Our Rural Manifesto is the backbone of this work.

Most people familiar with the work of the Alliance know that it encompasses everything from fly-tipping to rural business, and that will still be the case. Our Manifesto focuses on five key issues: affordable housing; practical rural education (see story number 5); support for our farmers and producers; repeal of the Hunting Act (see story number 2) and championing country sports and ensuring an accessible and reliable rural transport network.

These issues truly matter to individuals and groups within communities. These are the issues that genuinely affect people's lives in the countryside right now. They provoke passion, idealism, energy, anger and frustration. They put people on the street, inspire them to participate and ultimately drive them to vote in large numbers. And no politician can ignore such issues or their importance.

You can read our Rural Manifesto here and sign up to its aims here. Please encourage everyone you know who supports our five aims to sign up to the Manifesto. The Countryside Alliance has stood for the last 12 years on a platform of "all of us or none of us" and that will not be changing.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive

2. Repeal closer as Cumbrian case collapses?

The prosecution against John Harrison, Huntsman of the Ullswater Foxhounds, has collapsed today at Penrith Magistrates Court, after the Judge accepted a submission that there was no case to answer.

Seven employees of animal rights organisations had filmed Mr Harrison hunting in November 2008. The prosecution claimed that he was illegally pursuing foxes, but District Judge Chalk ruled that there was no evidence that he had pursued an "identifiable mammal at any stage"

John Harrison said "It's a huge relief for me, the Ullswater Foxhounds and the whole hunting community in Cumbria. I'm just very sad that so much Police time, court time and taxpayers money has been wasted on this pointless case. The Ullswater Foxhounds will be hunting within the law again this season and we are looking forward to the repeal of the Hunting Act so that we can resume hunting free from this terrible legislation."

Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Simon Hart said: "The only way to avoid this sort of wasteful prosecution is to get rid of the Hunting Act. It has failed at every level and this is yet another piece of evidence in the case for repeal."
Download the Case for Repeal.
3. Membership quarterly "Update" now online

The Countryside Alliance's quarterly membership "Update" is now online, and you can read it here. In this issue Chief Executive Simon Hart looks ahead to the General Election and the role our Rural Manifesto and its many related campaigns will play in promoting rural issues to the next Government. Those campaigns are featured in this issue, especially National Newcomer's Week to promote hunting to a wider audience. Other features include "The VAT exemption for shooting clubs," "Villages built on grouse" and a progress report on The Countryside Alliance Foundation in "Opening the countryside gates."

In addition, there are the regular items such as news, a countryside Q&A, forthcoming events and, finally, the "Perspective" column, this time by London Mayor Boris Johnson's father, Stanley, writing about his love of Exmoor.

4. Have your say on Future Countryside

The Conservative Party has launched its Future Countryside website (Future Countryside) as an online forum for debate and comment on "the future of conservation policy and the ways we can address the pressures on landscape, habitat and wildlife posed by environmental change and development." The site has been designed to "encourage you to comment on the articles and engage with the debate" on these important issues. You can register to take part in the online debate here or e-mail info@futurecountryside.com if you would like to write an article for the site.

Future Countryside is encouraging debate and seeking your thoughts and expertise on: food & farming; biodiversity & conservation; environmental change and resources & regulation. We will bring you details of the other main parties' rural plans as we get them.

5. Rural education a necessity

The Countryside Alliance's Rural Manifesto seeks to put practical rural education onto the National Curriculum, and a story in the media this week shows that this cannot come quickly enough, for adults as well as children.

A great example of a school embracing rural education is Lydd Primary School in Kent, where a school farm was set up to teach the children about the food chain. The children voted for Marcus the lamb to be sent to slaughter, whereupon all hell broke loose, with one mother branding the school's headmistress "a murderer". As Rowan Pelling says in her column in the Daily Telegraph "children are far less sentimental than adults." Only by continuing to promote farming and the food chain, and to inform children and adults alike about how it works and why it works, can the kneejerk horror displayed by some in this case be averted.

Read the education section of our Rural Manifesto here.

Read Countryside Alliance Policy Officer Charley May's blog on rural education and the why the recent events at Godstone Farm in Surrey shouldn't kill off farm visits for children. "

 

[Mr. X]

Some interesting items this week:
"

24th September 2009​

1. The collapse of the Hunting Act

2. New gift catalogue

3. Friends of the National Trust

4. Contribute to angling research

5. Masked hunt sab fined

1. The collapse of the Hunting Act

The collapse of the Hunting Act case against Ullswater huntsman John Harrison in Penrith Magistrates Court last week marks the end of any serious efforts by the anti-hunt movement to show that the Act works. It reinforces the need for repeal, a measure that we believe has important and positive consequences as a whole, as well as wider and significant libertarian benefits.

For the first time since Tony Wright of the Exmoor Foxhounds was summonsed to face a private prosecution by the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) in November 2005 no huntsman, member of hunt staff, master or anyone else connected to a hunt is currently facing prosecution.

In the last four years nine different hunts have faced prosecution under the Act. Three resulted in convictions, three collapsed before they got to court and three resulted in all defendants being acquitted. There were no successful prosecutions of hunts in either the 2008/09 or 2009/10 hunting seasons.

A small band of professional animal rights activists have been employed by LACS and IFAW to collect evidence of illegal hunting since the Act came into force. They have spent thousands of hours filming dozens of hunts yet the end result is negligible. There have been over 40,000 days hunting since February 2005 and less than a handful of convictions. During that time however dozens of huntsman have had to answer pointless, vindictive allegations and thousands of hours of police time have been wasted. However, none of this is an excuse for complacency, or lack of a political resolution.

As I have said before the case for repeal is distinct from the case for hunting. There was never any justification for the ban, but the case for getting rid of the Hunting Act is stronger even than the argument for hunting. However uncomfortable anyone is with hunting itself, defending this law is now impossible, as can be seen from the growing number of anti-hunting activists and MPs who are conceding that the law does not work. It has failed at every level and as there can be no reason for allowing such a bad law to remain on the Statute Book. Repealing the Hunting Act would be a public service and one that the next Government must address as soon as it possibly can. Then the police can return to policing real crime and the courts can get back to trying real criminals.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive

2. New gift catalogue

The new Countryside Alliance 09/10 gift catalogue is now out and with 36 pages crammed with gifts and goodies for every possibly occasion and taste, and hundreds more products available online, there really is something to suit everyone and every pocket.

This year we've introduced lots of new items including a Labrador bronze, fox brass door knocker, leather trimmed gun slip and cartridge bag and electronic ear defenders. And some of your old favourites are back too including our Fight the Ban silver plate bangle, made exclusively for the Countryside Alliance, our range of "I'd rather be...." mugs and the giant Growler hip flask, as well as Countryside Alliance car stickers, ties and badges. Just click here.

All Alliance members will have received a catalogue with this month's Update mailing but, if you would like us to send you a catalogue, please send an email with your name and address and the subject line "Gift Catalogue" to membership@countryside-alliance.org. Please remember that shopping online is not only quicker for you but also helps us save on admin costs.

And don't forget our great new range of Countryside Alliance clothing. Choose from our list of popular slogans or personalise your top with your very own slogan. Just click here to start shopping now.

3. Friends of the National Trust

Friends of the National Trust (FONT) have asked us to circulate this message about elections to the National Trust Council and a resolution that the League Against Cruel Sports has tabled for the Trust AGM in Swindon on 7th November.

To all FONT members and supporters.

You should be getting your voting papers for the National Trust shortly. They are also on the National Trust website. Please also notify all your friends and acquaintances of our suggestions.

You can vote online or by post. The deadline is 11.59pm Friday 30th October 2009.

There is only one resolution at the AGM which is in effect asking the Trust to gold plate the conditions of its licence for hunts to such an extent as to make it unworkable. The Trust is opposing the resolution and if it does come to a vote the Chairman will cast proxy votes against it. Please vote against the resolution and advise everyone else to do the same.

Please also vote for the following candidates for the National Trust council:

Valerie Humphrey
John M. Burton
Sir Henry Keswick
Christopher Boyle
Laurie Magnus
Sophie Andreae
Robin Page
Charles Collins

For more information please contact FONT at fontgroup@googlemail.com

4. Contribute to angling research

Anglers throughout the UK are being asked to take part in a major new research programme on the social and community benefits of angling, the better to inform policymakers and angling organisations in the future.

The research is being undertaken by Substance, a not-for-profit social research company, and is supported by the Angling Trust, the Environment Agency and a range of other angling organisations in the UK. The research aims to collect evidence about the influence that angling has on participants, young people and the communities in which angling takes place.

Publicly funded by the Big Lottery, the research findings will be in the public domain. This first phase of the research will finish at the end of October.

For more information and to access the questionnaire, visit the website Welcome to the Angling Research Website! | Angling Research and click through to the survey. All the information gathered will be in confidence and no individual personal data will be disclosed.


5. Masked hunt sab fined

All followers of the hunting debate will be interested in a story which appeared in a Surrey newspaper recently:

"A teenager who covered his face with a balaclava during a fox hunting protest near Dorking has been fined for not taking it off when told to by a police officer. David Marriott, 18, of no fixed abode, was found guilty by magistrates in Redhill of a charge of failing to remove an item when required to do so by a constable. Marriott was one of a number of protesters who turned up on farmland in Flanchford Road, Leigh, to monitor the activities of the Surrey Union Hunt on February 28 this year. He was convicted on Friday 11th September and fined £100. He was also ordered to pay court costs of £400 and a £15 victim surcharge."
"

 

[Mr. X]

Labour MP calls for ban on shooting free range game:

Thursday, 29 October 2009

1. MPs call for ban on game shooting

2. Alliance writes to Minister on risk aversion and outdoor learning

3. Changes to the England General Licences

4. The Countryside Race Day on Friday 13th November

5. Start of the season


1. MPs call for ban on game shooting

There is no shortage of organisations and individuals justifying their existence by taking pot-shots at the fieldsports community but an uncomfortably high number of shooters insist there is no direct political threat to shooting. Given the outrageous amount of time wasted on devising unworkable and illiberal anti-hunting legislation, many wrongly assumed there was little appetite to launch an attack on shooting. How wrong could they be?

A recent Early Day Motion (EDM) put down by Labour MP David Taylor reads as follows: ''That this House notes that every year in Britain around 35 million pheasants and six million partridges are purpose bred in cages, sheds and pens so that they can be released and shot for sport; is concerned about the suffering endured by these birds and by the large number of indigenous wild mammals and birds that are trapped, snared, poisoned and shot to protect this activity; is alarmed by the thousands of tons of leadshot and plastic casings discharged annually by live quarry shooters, and also by the disruption caused to native wildlife at the start of each shooting season when the millions of pheasants and partridges are released; and calls on the Government to enact legislation at the earliest opportunity to prohibit the production of birds for sport shooting, in line with the ban introduced in Holland in 2002.'

It must be said that EDMs simply allow MPs to express their support for an issue. However, I find it extremely disturbing - but not surprising - that at the time of writing 65 MPs have signed Mr Taylor's EDM. That means more than 10% of MPs currently sitting in the House of Commons want to ban game shooting. While one Conservative MP, Ann Widdecombe, has signed along with a few Liberal Democrats, the majority of signatories are Labour MPs.

There are some Labour MPs, such as our own chairman, who support shooting, but it is an unavoidable fact that this is a predominantly Labour-driven EDM. I doubt the signatories have read Labour's Charter for Shooting (or even know it exists) and perhaps they have forgotten Labour's Manifesto commitment to protect shooting. It all reminds me of the desperate clamour by many MPs during the pre-hunt ban period when they attempted to convince the shooting community that their sport would be safe with Labour - it was only hunting they were after, they said. Yet since 1997, during the time it took to cook up a single piece of legislation on hunting, almost 30 laws were passed restricting shooting in one form or another.

It cannot be long before a private member's bill is introduced which calls for the ban on driven game shooting. While most of them fail and it is easy to be dismissive of EDMs, the shooting community should not forget the consistent annual bombardment of Parliament by MPs launching private members bills to ban hunting. Eventually they wore down a hostile House of Commons. They could do it again.

You can find out if your MP has signed up to Mr Taylor's EDM by visiting
UK Parliament - Early Day Motions By Details. You can then make your views known both directly to the MP and at the General Election.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive

2. Alliance writes to Minister on risk aversion and outdoor learning

As part of the Rural Manifesto, the Countryside Alliance is calling for outdoor education to be included in the National Curriculum. In light of recent comments made on BBC Countryfile on farm visits and E.Coli outbreaks by Jim Fitzpatrick, Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, we are sending him a letter highlighting the low risks associated with school trips. Outdoor learning has proven health, personal development and educational benefits for children and we would not welcome any kneejerk reactions that reduced access to these experiences.

In July 2009, we sent local authorities in England and Wales a Freedom of Information request on: the number of legal claims made as a result of children injured on school trips, the number of successful legal claims and the amounts awarded between 1998 and 2008. Of the 138 local authorities that responded, 364 legal claims were made as a result of children injured on school trips over a ten year period with fewer than half resulting in successful payouts. A total of £404,952.14 was paid out in compensation, meaning on average local authorities paid out just £293 per year.

We hope these results inspire confidence among teachers that the risk of being at the sharp end of litigation is low and encourage greater use of the countryside as a classroom. While we sympathise with all those affected by the E.Coli outbreaks we oppose disproportionate responses to manageable risks. Our results should help the Minister recognise that risk can never be eliminated, only sensibly managed, and that when armed with common sense the countryside is no more dangerous than anywhere else. Wrapping children in cotton wool is counterproductive and does nothing to foster a better practical understanding of farming and the environment among the next generation.

3. Changes to the England General Licences

Following a consultaion launched in December last year, Natural England has announced certain changes to the general licences issued under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which will take effect from the 1 January 2010. Everyone who operates under a general licence must familiarise themselves with the terms of the new licences. The changes include:

Ring-necked, Monk Parakeets, Canada Geese and Egyptian Geese will be added to the licence for conserving wild birds.
Ring-necked and Monk Parakeet will be added to the licence for preventing serious damage to crops, etc.
Monk Parakeet will be added to the licence for preserving public health or public safety.
Great Black-backed Gull will, in future, only be listed on the air safety licence, while the Herring Gull will be listed on the air safety licence and, for egg and nest destruction only, on the public health and public safety licence.
The trapping and release of House Sparrow, Starling, Robin and Blackbird will be included on a new public health and public safety licence available to food production and handling premises.
Licences for the sale of live and dead birds will be consolidated so that there is only one licence each. Ringing requirements will remain unchanged at present.
Sales of dead Barnacle Goose and White-fronted Goose (Greenland race) will continue to be excluded under the licence permitting sales of dead birds.
Persons convicted of an offence under wildlife legislation (specified in the condition) after 1 January 2010 will be unable to act under the general licences. Any person barred from using the general licence will be able to apply for an individual licence; applications will be judged on a case by case basis.
A number of issues remain under consideration and are likely to be the subject of further consultation, such as trap inspection periods where Natural England recognise that the stipulation of 24 hours can cause difficulties for trap users; and whether or not there ought to be a registration system for traps similar to that now operating in Scotland. The Welsh Assembly Government is currently consulting on general licences in Wales with similar changes proposed.

Drafts of the new licences and full details of the changes can be found on the Natural England website:
Natural England - General licence consultation follow up

4. The Countryside Race Day on Friday 13th November

The Countryside Race Day at Cheltenham includes a unique opportunity to enjoy a VIP Lunch and tea with celebrity interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, whilst watching fantastic National Hunt Racing and the chance to do some early Christmas shopping.

A special box at Cheltenham Racecourse is to be transformed into a 'Beaton-esque Boudoir', fit for My Fair Lady, by TV's Llewelyn-Bowen. This is to raise funds for the Spinal Injuries Association and Countryside Alliance, and will be unveiled at the Countryside Race Day on Friday 13th November.

A few tickets are still available to attend the spectacular VIP Reception in the box at £125 each. This includes champagne, lunch and tea in a prime racecourse location.

Every year in the UK over 1000 people experience a spinal cord injury. Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) specialises in support for injured individuals and their families, providing services and publications that enable and encourage paralysed people to lead independent lives. They also campaign for improved medical and social care for spinal cord injury.

The box will be available for corporate entertaining, fashion shoots, and interviews throughout the year, with a percentage of the profits raised going to the Countryside Alliance and the SIA.

For further information or tickets please contact:

The Events Office, Marlborough
events@countryside-alliance.org or telephone 01672 519 470

amanda@llb.co.uk or telephone 01285 642 555.

5. Start of the hunting season

Media interest has been huge this year owing to focus on this being possibly the last season before repeal. Thank you to all hunts who have welcomed representatives from the media at your opening meets and during Hunting Newcomers Week. Your help with promoting hunting, and repeal, is fantastic.

 

[Mr. X]

Interesting to see that Conservative MP Anne Widecombe signed up to the shooting ban & the foxhunting ban .

UK Parliament - Early Day Motions By Member

Fishing related private member's bill:
UK Parliament - Early Day Motions By Details

 

[Mr. X]

"Thurs, 12 Nov 2009

1. Hunting's eventful year

2. Cheltenham Countryside Race Day tomorrow!

3. The Marine and Coastal Access Act *

4. Countryside Alliance gift catalogue


1. Hunting's eventful year

Most hunts have now had their opening meets and are into the regular season. Repeal is on the lips of supporters across the land - could we really be in with a chance? Thank goodness for some realism though. The Alliance's long campaign will not cease until the ink is dry on Royal Assent. There will be no let up...
...

The High Court's ruling on Tony Wright's appeal in February was followed by the collapse of all the outstanding Hunting Act Crown Prosecution Service cases against the Devon and Somerset Staghounds and the Heythrop Hunt, and the ironic moment when the League Against Cruel Sports had to admit their own law had failed and drop their private prosecution against the Isle of Wight Hunt.

Soon after, the only two subsequent prosecutions involving the huntsmen of the Percy and Ullswater hunts were both thrown out of court when the judges ruled that there was 'no case to answer'. When Ullswater huntsman John Harrison walked from Penrith magistrates court in September with the judges 'not guilty' verdict ringing in his ears there was a real possibility that the Hunting Act was beginning to crumble.

The last few weeks have seen even more developments. Most crucially we have seen the 2005 assurance from the Conservative party confirmed. If they form the next Government, they will give Parliament an opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act. At the Conservative party conference David Cameron called the Act a farce and confirmed his support for scrapping it, followed by Shadow Environment Secretary Nick Herbert confirming that there would be a manifesto commitment to allow a free vote and then repeal the Act with a Government Bill in Government time. The media have picked up on the likelihood of repeal and the coverage, typified by Countryfile and the Observer, supporting this position and recognising that there is no place on the Statute Book for bad law.

And what of Lush cosmetics? The high street cosmetics chain decided to market soap in support of the Hunt Saboteurs Association. Following a concerted effort to point out the evils of getting tied up with extremists it seems that all reference to the HSA has since been removed from the Lush website and I noted in a recent visit to Cardiff that the 'hunt sab soap' was completely absent.

And there is more. Last week the League Against Cruel Sports decided to send an e-mail to every MP and many peers promoting a Parliamentary meeting held on Monday designed to generate support for the Act. The invitation was deemed libellous and after the intervention of the Alliance's solicitors LACS was forced to issue a retraction and apology to every recipient. The same weekend a motion put before the National Trust AGM on Saturday by LACS Chief Executive Douglas Batchelor seeking information on sporting activities, including hunting, licensed by the Trust was soundly rejected by the Trust's membership.

Small victories maybe; important developments definitely. The repeal of the Hunting Act has important consequences for shooting, angling and the rural way of life. It has even more importance for those thousands of urban and rural people who take pride in their defence of a society that deplores prejudice and promotes tolerance.

That is what it is all about.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive

2. Cheltenham Countryside Race Day - Friday 13 November

Come racing on Friday 13th November 2009 at Cheltenham Racecourse and enjoy a full card of jump racing, as well as many other attractions throughout the day. The Countryside Race Day spearheads the three day Open Meeting and provides a unique blend of top class racing and entertainment based around countryside activities. In 2008, the day attracted a crowd of over 20,000 and nearly £200,000 was raised for the charities.

The six sponsored races feature the 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 the tented village take on the appearance of a Country Fair with attractions that include a jazz band and 80 trade stands. Aside from the racing, visitors can enjoy a hound parade, as well as camel racing for the Paddy Power Rural Challenge Trophy on the finishing straight. Proceeds will be shared between two most worthwhile organisations, actively involved in racing and the countryside, the Countryside Alliance and the Spinal Injuries Association. Countryside Alliance members are welcome to use the marquee right in the heart of the tented village where food and drink are available all day. Please bring your membership card to guarantee entry.

The Countryside Alliance stand will be selling our range of Christmas cards, which can be seen on www.c-ashop.co.uk;

For more information and for tickets, please telephone Cheltenham Racecourse on 01242 513014 or see Cheltenham Racecourse - Home page.

3. The Marine and Coastal Access Act *

The Marine and Coastal Access Bill has now received Royal Assent and become an Act of Parliament. The Act seeks to ensure greater access to the English coast, but we have concerns that there is still a lack of clarity for coastal landowners, and are urging all coastal landowners to take part in an ongoing consultation.

We have concerns about coastal access; there is no clarity about what will be defined as the route and associated "spreading room". DEFRA is currently consulting on what should be defined as coastal land and what the rights of owners of land should be. The consultation is proposing to include land which is currently exempt under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW), such as land within 20 metres of a dwelling or a building used for housing livestock. The proposals would also remove the rights of owners of land to close land at their discretion for land management reasons such as lambing or shooting.

The consultation doesn't distinguish between a path/route itself and associated "spreading room". In addition, where existing access land, under the CROW Act, is reclassified as coastal margin, many of the safeguards and protections in that legislation will cease to apply under the new regime.

Owing to the definition of "relevant interest in affected land" in the Act those who own sporting rights separate from the land will have no access to the independent appeals process and can simply make written representations to Natural England. It is vital that owners of coastal land and wildfowling clubs and others with an interest in coastal land respond to the current consultation and also make themselves known to Natural England so that they are part of the extensive consultation process. The legislation provides for this consultation to determine the coastal margin, where the path and spreading room will be and what, if any, restrictions on access should apply. Should you require any further information do not hesitate to contact James Legge in the political team- james-legge@countryside-alliance.org.

The consultation can be accessed here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/coastal-access/index.htm

4. Countryside Alliance gift catalogue

If you haven't started your Christmas shopping yet there's still plenty of time to get all your shopping done with the help of the the Countryside Alliance's 09/10 gift catalogue.

With 36 pages crammed with gifts and and hundreds more products available online there's something to suit everyone and every pocket.

There are loads of new items including a Labrador bronze, fox brass door knocker, leather trimmed gun slip and cartridge bag and electronic ear defenders as well as some old favourites like our Fight the Ban silver plate bangle, made exclusively for the Countryside Alliance, our range of I'd rather be.... mugs and the giant Growler hip flask, as well as Countryside Alliance car stickers, ties and badges.

Just click here to start shopping online.

You can also save 15% on all Countryside Alliance clothing. Just visit Splash and enter the code "CDC" in the discount coupon box at the checkout to save 15% on all Alliance clothing*.

The Countryside Alliance's clothing range allows you to personalise your clothing for free and with no minimum order quantities.

Show your support for hunting, shooting, fishing and all countryside issues using one of the stock logos or use the free personalisation facility to highlight your own personal plight- such as the proposed closure of your local post office or pub. We can add the Alliance logo to show that you are supported by the whole of the countryside.

The tops also make the perfect present for family, friends and team-mates; nicknames, tour tops and cheeky captions can all be ordered with lightning quick turnaround and delivery times.

Don't forget, if you are an Under 25 member of the Countryside Alliance you can get an even bigger 20% discount by entering the code SAU25SMD09 in the discount coupon box at the checkout. Please enter your Alliance membership number in the Special Instructions field to qualify for your discount.

Visit Splashto see more.

* Offer valid until 31 December 2009"

 

[Mr. X]

Thursday, 19 November 2009

1. Defra's final insult to the countryside


2. Game's soaring popularity and tastings

3. Opportunities with the Countryside Alliance - membership recruiters

4. Winner of the 'Centenary' Morgan car draw

5. Local Works - update and action

1. Labour's final insult to the countryside

Back in June I wrote about the Government's consultation on 'a new independent body for animal health' as part of Defra's Responsibility and Cost Sharing (RCS) plans. An animal tax, in other words, where "sharing" really means animal keepers paying for the majority of the costs associated with the prevention and control of animal diseases, insulating the Government from blame in the event of an outbreak.

Ahead of yesterday's Queen's speech it was reported that the plans had been shelved, but Defra confirmed yesterday, as reported in today's Farmers Guardian that they "intend to bring forward a draft Animal Health Bill, which would establish an independent body for animal health in England" and that they "aim to publish the Bill in early January in good time for the end of the session". Using the usual jargon, Defra states that "The Government is looking to develop appropriate mechanisms which will focus on behavioural change and will also help share the responsibilities and costs between Government and the farming industry for animal disease control."

The proposed Animal Health Bill gives us several reasons to be uneasy, not least the fact that that the Government has yet to respond to the widespread concern and criticisms of the proposals made by those who responded to the consultation which closed on 30 June this year. The separation of responsibility for 'animal health' in this new body and 'animal welfare' which will remain with Defra is illogical and arbitrary. The new body will be yet another layer of bureaucracy, staffed by the same people from Defra, and could set animal health and welfare down separate paths, which would be disastrous.

Another unacceptable aspect of this proposed Bill is that it is being talked about as a done deal before the results of the consultation have been fully considered. There are huge concerns across the countryside, with horse owners, farmers and gamekeepers needing reassurance that their views have been properly considered. It is obvious to all with an interest that ploughing ahead with an animal levy plus mandatory insurance while many rural businesses have their backs to the wall could be catastrophic.

This is cost shifting, not cost sharing, and all the more reprehensible when you remember the cause of the last foot and mouth outbreak. If this scheme had been in place then farmers would have been paying to compensate themselves for an outbreak caused by a leak from a Government laboratory.

This is another example of legislation that will do something to the countryside rather than for it.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive


2. Game's soaring popularity and tastings

The Daily Telegraph reported last week that consumption of game dishes has soared as shoppers become more adventurous with their choices. New figures released from TNS Worldpanel confirm that consumption of game in the UK has risen by 15% in the last year.

The research shows that game was eaten in shops, pubs and restaurants on 31.7 million occasions. This is fantastic news for the Countryside Alliance's Game-to-Eat promotional campaign, now in its 9th year. Game-to-Eat has organised in-store sampling of hot British Gressingham Pheasant in a number of Tesco stores across the country on 19 and 20 November. Click here to view the stores participating in tastings on Thursday 19th November, and here to view the 55 participating on Friday 20th November.

Additionally, Game-to-Eat's November newsletter is now online - read it here and sign up to receive the e-newsletter here.

3. Opportunities with the Countryside Alliance - membership recruiters

The Countryside Alliance is seeking to build its team of Membership recruiters around the country. This a role for enthusiastic and highly motivated people who should ideally have some sales experience and be computer literate.

The ability to work alone or as part of a small team and well-developed personal skills are equally important attributes. These are part-time positions that will require weekend work. Candidates with experience or knowledge of current rural issues and a strong empathy with the Countryside Alliance and its campaigns will be at a distinct advantage.

Excellent commission package. Interested applicants should please contact Tracy Casstles, The Countryside Alliance, Old Town Hall, 367 Kennington Road, London SE11 4PT or by Email tracy-casstles@countryside-alliance.org Please enclose a CV. Applications by Monday 4th January 2010. Countryside Alliance is an equal opportunities employer.

4. Winner of the 'Centenary' Morgan car draw

Congratulations to Mr Pickford of Calne, Wiltshire, who has won the Countryside Alliance Centenary Morgan Car Draw. The winning ticket was drawn by Laurence and Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen at the Countryside Raceday at Cheltenham on the 13th November 2009. Thank you to everyone who supported us and bought a ticket - better luck next year!

5. Local Works - update and action

Local Works are the coalition that wrote and successfully campaigned for the Sustainable Communities Act to become law in October 2007. The Act devolves power to local people in order to achieve sustainability in their local areas and combat community decline. They are now campaigning for the Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill, which will strengthen the original Act. However, for the Bill to become law they need the support of Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government John Denham MP.

Local Works ask: Do you want local businesses to remain open? Do you want to keep your local post office? Do you want to have a say in improving public transport? Then please, we need your help!

Action!

1) Please write to John Denham and ask him to support this Bill. His address is 20-22 Southampton Street, Southampton, SO15 2ED or email him at denhamj@parliament.uk Click here for a sample letter that you can use.

2) Please ask others in Mr Denham's Southampton Itchen Constituency to do the same.

3) Please forward any replies to Local Works at steve@localworks.org, or Local Works, c/o Unlock Democracy, 6 Cynthia Street, London, N1 9JF

 

[Mr. X]

Re: Countryside Alliance - Dorset/Weymouth access

From the Countryside Alliance FYI:

Coastal access mapping in Dorset

The Marine and Coastal Access Act gives powers to Natural England to create access around England's coast. The Act also gives powers to the Welsh Assembly to develop coastal access around the Welsh coast.

Starting this spring, Natural England will be preparing access reports for different sections of the English coast which will set the coastal route and any associated 'spreading room', as well as any restrictions to take account of existing interests. These reports will then be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. Natural England's webpage on this issue can be found here.

It is vital that if you have any interest in coastal land that you make yourself known to Natural England and are fully part of the consultation process from the start.

In drawing up these reports Natural England has to balance public interest with those who have "relevant interest" in the land (eg freeholders, leaseholders and those in "lawful occupation.") Those with a "relevant interest" will have the right to make a formal objection to Natural England's proposals and will have access to an independent appeals process. Everyone else, including those who own sporting rights separate from the land, will only be able to make a representation in writing to Natural England.

The Weymouth stretch of coast is the first area where the costal access rights will be applied. Natural England is working with Dorset County Council on this and the council will be doing the bulk of the day to day work. They are currently doing some background research around Weymouth ahead of starting work in the spring. If you have an interest in land along that stretch of coast you need to make yourself known to Vicki King Victoria.King@naturalengland.org.uk at Natural England and Su Powner S.Powner@dorsetcc.gov.uk at Dorset County Council.

There are no other stretches of coast likely to be considered until 2011, but the Alliance will be putting out the contact details both nationally and locally, as each stretch is announced.

Should you have any questions about coastal access then please contact James Legge, Head of Political Section on 020 7840 9263, 07717336767 or email him on james-legge@countryside-alliance.org

 

[Mr. X]

Suprise verdict: Anti-hunt protester cleared of manslaughter but...

The story behind the story (of Hunt supporter decapitated by anti-Hunt protester in gyrocopter).

1. Trevor Morse trial

Yesterday gyrocopter pilot Bryan Griffiths was cleared of the 'manslaughter by gross negligence' of Warwickshire Hunt supporter Trevor Morse by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court. To many this decision will come as a surprise, especially given the contents of the video shot by Mr Griffiths' fellow animal rights activist Peter Bunce. The jury concluded that Mr Griffiths' 'belief' that he was somehow under threat justified the sequence of events that lead to Trevor's death. The identity of Griffith's co-pilot, and his history and criminal record, were known to the Judge but for legal reasons not disclosed to the Jury.

The verdict apart this case raises some very serious questions about the actions of animal rights groups including Protect Our Wildlife Animals (POWA), the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). The use of aircraft to follow hunts, especially mounted hunts, is patently unsafe so much so that the Association of Chief Police Officers advised very clearly that it is something police forces should not even consider. Despite this Bryan Griffiths attended a League Against Cruel Sports seminar in 2006 and offered his services as a helicopter pilot. In February 2007 he hired a helicopter in his own name and in the company of two associates flew over the Warwickshire and Heythrop Hunts. The level of complaints about the activity of the helicopter were so high that he knew he would not be able to hire one again and instead set about purchasing a gyrocopter.

Mr Griffiths' companions in February 2007 were the same two people who were with him at Long Marston airfield when Trevor Morse was killed: Peter Bunce and John Curtin. Mr. Bunce is a prominent member of the group POWA and is well known to hunts in the Midlands and Thames Valley. In 2003 he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident after knocking a Warwickshire Hunt supporter off his motorbike. John Curtin is an iconic figure in the animal rights movement having served a series of jail terms for extremist activity. Most extraordinarily he was jailed for 2 years in 1986 after an attempt to dig up the body of the 10th Duke of Beaufort with the intention of sending his head to Princess Anne. He has been a leading figure in the campaign against Huntingdon Life Science and was also arrested and questioned about robbing the grave of Gladys Hammond, a relative of the owners of a guinea pig farm. Mr Griffiths was introduced to John Curtin by Kevin Hill, a long serving employee of IFAW. Mr Griffiths found John Curtin to be a "likeable guy" and they struck up a partnership flying together in the gyrocopter five times with Peter Bunce acting as their ground support.

On the fifth and fatal occasion, 9th March 2009, Griffiths and Curtin were not even filming the Warwickshire hunt. They claimed to have forgotten their camera, but continued to fly over the hunt in order to disrupt it and harass its followers without even the pretence of 'monitoring'.

Despite this background, the court has decided that what happened when they landed and were confronted by Trevor Morse was not manslaughter by gross negligence, but a proportionate response. However, one thing is absolutely certain: had Messrs Griffiths, Curtin and Bunce not decided to chase hunts around the countryside in a gyrocopter aircraft Trevor Morse would not be dead and Griffiths would not have faced trial.

I will return to the strange connections within the animal rights world that this case in future comments. For now I can only restate that there is no place for animal rights activists in the policing of the Hunting Act or any other legislation. It is for the police to enforce the law of the land, not self-appointed vigilantes. Surely Trevor Morse's death makes that clear?

Simon Hart

 

[Mr. X]

Cameron voices enthusiam for fishing! / Dorset Lobster Shoot

Good to see at least one top flight politician willing to speak out positively on field sports.

3. Cameron's commitment to angling

Angling Times magazine scored an interview with Conservative leader David Cameron, published this week, in which he spoke enthusiastically of his love of angling. We don't yet have the plans of other political parties for angling, but in this interview Cameron outlined his plans for the Conservatives should they win the General Election. He said "angling is not only safe, we want to actively promote it... it's a great sport." He went on to say of his Defra team: "These are all people who understand the countryside, who love the countryside, who understand country sports and want to support and promote them. You will have no problem being listened to, being heard, being understood. Also on the back benches, we've got a fair few fishermen".

Meanwhile, this weekend sees the first Casting for Recovery retreat of the year, to be held at the Arundell Arms Hotel in Lifton, Devon. The fully subscribed retreat gives ladies who have, or have had, breast cancer, a magical weekend including fly fishing, counselling and the chance to relax in the beautiful Devon countryside. There will be three other retreats this year, so if you know a lady who would benefit, visit the website for the online application form Casting for Recovery - Home (NB places are allocated by ballot and are subject to medical clearance).

Also

The Countryside Alliance Dorset Lobster Shoot 2010​

​

on

Saturday, 22nd May 2010

at

West Lodge, Blandford Forum

(By kind permission of Mrs. Woodhouse)



You are invited to bring a team of four guns to the Dorset Lobster Shoot

and any extra guests to the Drinks and Lobster Dinner afterwards



There is a maximum of 50 teams, entries close on the 12th of May.



COSTS: per team are £600 (£150 per team member) which includes all your shooting, cartridges, there will be a pay bar during the day plus a Champagne reception with canapés in the evening, followed by a three-course Lobster Dinner (incl. wine), and dancing to Howling at the Moon. Extra dinner tickets are £50 per guest and must be ordered in advance.​

 

[Mr. X]

CA Chief Executive stands down...to be become MP for Carmarthen W & S. Pembrokeshire

Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Simon Hard stands down - he just became the Conservative MP for Carmarthen West & South Pembroke

1. Simon Hart writes to supporters
2. Spelman welcomed to Defra role
3. Outdoor education day at Boughton House
4. Casting for Recovery achieves charitable status
5. Points-to-Point

Join the Countryside Alliance
Simon Hart writes to supporters

Yesterday I told the Alliance board that I am stepping down as Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance following my election as MP for my home constituency, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire. After nearly eleven years at the Alliance and seven as its Chief Executive, I feel the time is now right for me to start the process of handing over to a successor.

As a Press Officer, Director of the Campaign for Hunting and then Chief Executive I have been privileged to work with some extraordinary people during some extraordinary times. Marches, demonstrations, Government Inquiries and Hunting Bills were the public highlights, but just as important has been the growth of the Alliance as a broad based rural organisation and the creation of our educational charity. Our campaigns for rural people have earned the respect of many people, even those who disagree with us on other issues, and have made it impossible for anyone to pigeonhole the Alliance as a single issue pressure group.

Winning the Channel 4 News "Political personality of the Decade award" was a tribute to the effectiveness of our organisation.

The Alliance could not do what it does without the support of its volunteers. From our board right down to county committees and those who help out at events and shows, the Alliance relies on you. I have been hugely grateful for that support, not least that of our Chairman Kate Hoey MP whose guidance has been invaluable over the last 5 years.

I have also been extremely lucky to work with as diverse and committed a range of people as you could ever meet within the Alliance. Of course I am sad to leave my role, but I will never really leave the Alliance and will continue to campaign for its aims, which coincide with the needs of so many of my new constituents, in my new job. Most of all I look forward to making sure that every time I cast my vote, on whatever subject, I ask myself "how will this affect rural communities, is it fair, and does it reflect the libertarian values to which we all aspire?"
Spelman welcomed to Defra role

The Countryside Alliance has welcomed the appointment of Caroline Spelman as the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Rob Gray, Director of Campaigns at the Countryside Alliance, said: "Caroline Spelman has a long connection to agricultural issues and could not be better qualified to take on this demanding role. She represents a constituency with a strong rural interest and has been consistently supportive on a wide range of countryside issues. We wish her the best in her new role and look forward to working closely with her".
Outdoor education day at Boughton House

Charley May of the Countryside Alliance Campaigns team joined over a thousand children at an outdoor education day at Boughton House this week. Outdoor education is one of the Alliance's key campaigns and we will continue to push to get it onto the National Curriculum.

Charley has blogged about her day and saw much at Boughton House to encourage her. She concluded: "While much remains hazy with the new coalition Government putting the final touches to the make up of Cabinet and Government departments, we remain perfectly clear - outdoor education is important and we will continue to campaign for all children to have access to it." Read Charley's blog here.
Casting for Recovery achieves charitable status

Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland, a unique outdoor-based programme specifically designed for women who have, or have had, breast cancer, has been granted charitable status by the Charity Commission.

Casting for Recovery provides fly fishing programmes at idyllic retreats around the UK and Ireland. It was granted charitable status by the Charity Commission at the end of March 2010. Its charitable objectives are to support breast cancer sufferers and "to advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to breast cancer and subjects pertaining to the conservation, protection and enjoyment of the countryside."

Fly fishing is a gentle exercise which requires no strength and is exactly the sort of exercise in which recovering breast cancer patients can participate safely with total support from trained fly fishing instructors and medics. Casting for Recovery was founded in the United States in 1996 and has since helped over 3,500 breast cancer survivors. In the UK and Ireland it began in 2006 and over 160 women have now been through the programme over thirteen retreats.

The UK and Ireland Programme Co-ordinator is Sue Hunter, who recovered from breast cancer to become an international gold medallist fly fisher. Sue said: "The Casting for Recovery team is very excited that we are now a charity. We have enjoyed the backing of the Countryside Alliance and Orvis UK up until now, but now that donors who pay tax in the UK can receive Gift Aid on their donations we hope there will be a very healthy future for this unique and inspiring programme. In becoming a charity the structure is now in place to help many thousands of women in the coming years."

. Places at retreats are allocated by ballot and are subject to medical clearance.
. More information on CfR, and the facility to donate, is available at Casting for Recovery - Home
. Forthcoming retreats for 2010 are:
o 16-18 July, Kimbridge-on-the-Test, Hampshire (open to applications until 18th May)
o 17-19 September - Brookhall Trout Fishery, Co Antrim (open to applications until 19th July)
o 24-26 September - Forbes of Kingennie, Angus (open to applications until 26th July)

 

[Mr. X]

Countryside Alliance - Hunting(/fishing) & the election

Interesting CA post from just after the election but before "the Grand Alliance" of the Conservative and Liberal Democrats [any of our American members confused by an alliance of conservatives, liberals & Democrats?]:

Kate Hoey MP writes to supporters

The General Election has proved to be the most momentous for many years. The Conservative party has won the most seats but does not have a majority. Who will form the new Government and what shape it will take is still uncertain. In such an unpredictable political situation the role of the Alliance in protecting the interests of the rural community is all the more important.

The obsessive nature of the anti-hunting movement was illustrated during the election campaign by some politicians and organisations travelling the country to campaign against candidates who supported the repeal of the Hunting Act. Even with all the issues that are effecting rural communities: the lack of affordable housing, the chaos of rural payments, the retreat of essential services from the countryside to towns, hunting was apparently the only issue they wanted to talk about.

What was very noticeable about the election results was that those of us who were targeted by animal rights activists and anti-hunting campaigners were successful, whilst a series of high profile anti-hunting MPs lost their seats. The ridiculous claim that supporting the countryside and hunting have a negative impact on voters has been buried forever. In fact I am sure that there are a number of ex-MPs who are bitterly regretting their support for the Hunting Act today.

One MP who we will miss is Lib Dem Lembit Opik who was beaten in Montgomeryshire. This is not to say that his replacement, Conservative Glyn Davies, does not have impeccable rural credentials, but Lembit brought something special to Parliament and our campaigns. I wish him the best in whatever direction his talents take him.

I have no more idea of what will happen now than you do, but I am certain that the Alliance will be ready to deal with whatever the political process throws up. If there is an opportunity to push for the repeal of the Hunting Act we will take it, but even if that is not possible in the short term last night was still a huge step towards repeal. One thing is certain: there will be many more MPs who understand and value the countryside and rural communities in the next Parliament than there were in the last one. I have listed some results of interest below.

Best wishes

Kate Hoey
Chairman, Countryside Alliance

Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Simon Hart (Con) replaces Nick Ainger (Lab) as MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire with a majority of 3,432

Kate Hoey (Lab) retains Vauxhall with an increased majority of 10,651

Robin Walker (Con) replaces Michael Foster (Lab) as MP for Worcester with a majority of 2,982

Andrew Stephenson (Con) replaces Gordon Prentice (Lab) as MP for Pendle with a majority of 3,585

 

[Mr. X]

It's a bumper edition today: Gamebird law urgently changed. The horrific Cumbria shootings. A new Countryside Alliance working Peer. A new CA job on offer.

1. Gamebird code urgently drafted
2. Cumbria shootings
3. John Gardiner appointed Peer
4. Alliance job opportunity - Shooting Campaign Manager
...

Join the Countryside Alliance
Gamebird code urgently drafted

New Agriculture Minister Jim Paice has withdrawn the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purposes in England prepared by his predecessor Jim Fitzpatrick. The Code would have automatically become law next week, but is being urgently redrafted. The Gamebird Working Group will meet on Monday to consider amendments.

The original consultation process had developed a draft Code which was workable for game farmers whilst answering concerns raised by the Government's advisors the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC). It was based on research by FAWC and would have prohibited barren cages, but permitted the use of enriched laying units which properly meet the needs of the birds in the system.

Unfortunately the shooting world was not united behind the draft Code and Jim Fitzpatrick, in the last months before an election his Government was highly unlikely to survive, ditched the draft Code and in its place puta version before Parliament that banned all laying units and, more worryingly, introduced restrictions on introducing caught up breeding stock and the siting of release pens. The Game Farmers Association was understandably furious and the proposed Code had implications for the whole game shooting industry. 'The Sun' even ran a story under the headline 'Sex ban for birds' reporting that cock birds would have to wait a year to be introduced to their hens.

The Minister's decision to withdraw the Code is good news for two reasons. Firstly, as Game Farmers Association Chairman Jonathan Crow said: "Common sense has prevailed and a crisis for our industry has been averted at the eleventh hour", and secondly because it confirms that Defra is now a department that understands shooting and is listening to the industry. The Alliance is one of the members of the Gamebird Working Group and will now be working with officials to return to a workable, evidence based Code which addresses welfare concerns whilst recognising the important role of English game farmers.

Cumbria shootings

Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the injured after this horrific incident in an area where the Alliance has many members and supporters. The UK's firearms licencing system is one of the strictest in the world and as the police investigation continues it will be important to understand why the system failed in this case.

The one million people who shoot in the UK take their responsibilities in owning and using legal firearms incredibly seriously. We will continue to work with the Government and relevant authorities to ensure that events like that which occured in Cumbria yesterday are even less likely, but now is not the time for kneejerk legislation.

John Gardiner appointed Peer

Last Friday the Prime Minister announced Countryside Alliance Deputy Chief Executive John Gardiner is to become a working Conservative Peer in the House of Lords. John has worked for the Countryside Alliance since its creation in 1997 and before that for its predecessor the British Field Sports Society. He has worked tirelessly for the rural community, and especially for hunting, through very challenging times. John's staunch defence of rural life has ensured that the worst consequences of the political attack on hunting were averted and that rural interests could not be ignored.

On hearing of his imminent peerage John said: "I am very conscious of the great honour and responsibility following my appointment to the House of Lords and I look forward to making my contribution to public service.

"Having spent much of my career in the political world I have long recognised and respected the hugely important constitutional role the House of Lords fulfils in its scrutiny and improvement of legislation as well as its ability to provide expertise on the widest range of subjects. It has been the bastion for the cause of civil liberties and tolerance, which have been much challenged in recent years.

"My commitment to rural affairs is founded on the strong belief that a vibrant and working countryside and the communities within it are essential to the well being of our nation. In our crowded islands we will increasingly rely on the countryside for the provision of food, energy and recreation. Our exceptional biodiversity has been forged and depends on those rural communities.

"The countryside has been fortunate to have strong supporters from all sides of the House and, from the Government benches; I intend to add my voice."

Alliance job opportunity - Shooting Campaign Manager

A superb opportunity has arisen for an individual to manage the Countryside Alliance's shooting campaign and build on the success achieved over the years. Working with the Campaigns Director, the regional network, the fundraising and marketing teams and a range of supporters and volunteers, the key task for the successful candidate will be to promote the Countryside Alliance as the campaigning organisation for sporting shooting.


The Countryside Alliance is an award winning political, campaigning and lobbying organisation with more than 100,000 members and 250,000 supporters and donors.

For more details and a copy of the job description please contact Georgina Kester at georgina-kester@countrysidealliance.org or on 020 7840 9210.

Closing date for applications is Friday 9th July 2010.

Countryside Alliance is an Equal Opportunities Employer and invites applications from all members of the community.

Sporting Auction

In October the Countryside Alliance will hold a national Memorabilia Auction to raise vital funds to support our campaigns and political work. Country sports have a long and colourful history and with continued support they will also have an enduring and vibrant future. The pageantry, costume, equipment and finery that are all important to country sports are also very collectable and extremely useful so please sell what you don't want and buy what you need. There could well be "Cash in the Attic".

Much of the equipment required to pursue our passion is quality, classic and timeless so now is the time to turn rags to riches for repeal and the longevity of all country pursuits.

Whether it is an old hunting coat, painting, fishing reel, cartridge belt, tack, rugs, books - the list is endless, the Countryside Alliance would like to collect any items old or new for the once in a lifetime Memorabilia Auction to be held in each region during October. For further information please contact clare-rowson@countryside-alliance.org

 

[Mr. X]

ASA bans Lush's anti-hunt campaign

Deceptive anti-hunt advertising BANNED, a top job on offer ...and kayaks/canoes vs. angling - 'right to paddle' rejected.

• Lush rapped by ASA
• Job advertisement - Chief Executive
• Countryside Alliance AGM
• Summer 2010 "Update" now online
• Inquiry rejects 'right to paddle'
• Midlands Ladies' Shooting Day

Lush rapped by ASA
You will remember that cosmetics firm Lush took the strange decision to go into partnership with the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) last year, donating the funds from selling an interesting smelling aniseed soap to the HSA.

The advertisements and material Lush and the HSA distributed with their soap was predictably outrageous and generated no less than 129 complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). On Tuesday the ASA responded to those complaints and banned Lush's anti-hunt campaign.

It found that Lush's claims that hunts were intentionally and frequently breaking the law, that the police do not enforce the Hunting Act and that hunts fed dead hounds to other hounds were unsupportable.

On some matters Lush has only itself to blame for working with an extreme organisation like the HSA that has a long history of inaccuracy and exaggeration, but on the issue of illegal hunting we should have some sympathy with Lush. After all the Act is a ridiculously bad piece of legislation and it is easy to understand how someone who does not fully understand hunting and the Hunting Act can confuse what is legal and illegal.

The ASA, however, is right to have ruled there is no evidence to support the claim that 'hunts were intentionally and frequently breaking the law', and with just three hunts successfully prosecuted in the five years since the Act came into force it would have been extraordinary if it had found otherwise.

Lush claims that the publicity from its 'radical' campaigns promotes its stores, but in this case it looks more like a clueless activist hanging around a debate it clearly doesn't understand.


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Job advertisement - Chief Executive
Following Chief Executive Simon Hart's election as MP, the Countryside Alliance is now inviting applications in order to appoint his successor. Click here for the job advertisement.


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Countryside Alliance AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the Countryside Alliance will be held from 2pm on Tueday 22nd June, at the Royal Horticultural Halls, Greycoat Street, London, SW1P 2QD.


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Summer 2010 "Update" now online
The summer 2010 issue of the Countryside Alliance's quarterly membership Update is now online.



In this issue, Campaigns Director Robert Gray looks at the impact The Countryside Alliance Foundation's Fishing for Schools initiative is having, Head of Media Tim Bonner writes twice; once about the animal rights agenda and then about the ongoing lead shot debate; Education Officer Charley May writes about our education campaign and Julia Browne meets Midlands Regional Director Clare Rowson to find out about her work.

The regular country Q&A and news pages are also included, as is the events listing, whilst the Perspective column comes from the Countryside Alliance Awards Rural Hero of 2009, Lincolnshire Rural Chaplain Canon Rev Alan Robson, who writes about the bureaucracy facing our farmers. Read Update here.


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Inquiry rejects 'right to paddle'
The National Assembly for Wales report into Access to Inland Water, published today, will "protect angling whilst promoting access" and will be welcomed by the angling community says the Countryside Alliance.

The National Assembly's Sustainability Committee has concluded its year long inquiry by rejecting calls for a 'right to paddle' and recommending the expansion of voluntary access agreements. It proposes legislation to identify an authority to lead access negotiations with the powers to impose compulsory access where negotiation fails. The Committee has also recommended a licensing system for those using unpowered craft on inland waters and a fee for those making a profit out of water related recreation.

Countryside Alliance Welsh Director Rachel Evans said: "these recommendations will protect angling whilst promoting access and the Committee should be congratulated for producing such a balanced and sensible report. The evidence that the Countryside Alliance put before Assembly Members highlighted the vital importance of angling to the environment and economy of Welsh rivers. The request for greater access to Welsh rivers by canoeists and other river users is understandable, but negotiation not compulsion must be the way forward. The demand for a right to paddle without any responsibility for the conservation and maintenance of the river environment is simply not sustainable.

"The Alliance's evidence to the Committee was backed up by responses from angling clubs and individual anglers from across Wales. Working together we made a compelling case. The sensible recommendations of this report are an endorsement of the National Assembly's Inquiry process which has taken on board the views of the people of rural Wales as well as those of the canoeing lobby".


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Midlands Ladies' Shooting Day
Have you ever wondered what the thrill and excitement of a day's shooting is? Why so many men and a few women choose to go and stand in the cold during the winter months with guns poised to the sky? Have you ever thought that it would be great to have a go but not quite had the confidence just in case the opposite sex makes judgements?

Now is your chance to be a "game bird" and learn how to be a hot shot with a professional instructor at a day designed for ladies only. The instructor will gear the shooting to your group's requirements. The day will start with morning coffee and a brief talk on gun handling and gun safety. This will be followed by a morning's intensive shooting instruction and then lunch.

Women from across the country will be getting together on Wednesday 7th July at the West Midlands Shooting Ground, Hodnet, Shropshire for a Ladies' Clay Shooting Day in aid of the Countryside Alliance.

Lessons normally cost at least £70.00 but thanks to the generosity of the West Midland Shooting Ground we can offer lessons and lunch for just £65.00. Please book your tickets at clare-rowson@countryside-alliance.org or call 07900 820 819. Tickets must be booked in advance before 18th June.

 

[Mr. X]

Hero of the Countryside Alliance* getting a lot of media coverage last week**, the incredibly talented Mr. Steve Winwood:



[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_nwbTeIN4Y]YouTube - Traffic - Dear Mr. Fantasy[/ame]



*Steve Winwood headlined the early Countryside Alliance fund raising concerts at Highclere House near Newbury, along with friend and fellow Countryside Alliance hero, Eric Clapton.
** Inc. 2 TV programs on BBC4 - both repeated - & an interview on BBC radio 2. Presumably to coincide with the release of his new "Best Of" album, which was advertised on some of the independent TV channels last week, ahead of father's day (hint, hint).