CCOUNTRYSIDE A M P A I G N S • C O M M E N T • C U L T U R E • C O M M U N I T Y AUTUMN 2016 £3.50 (when sold) ALLIANCE countryside-alliance.org JOIN THE CHELTENHAM CROWD The Open starts with Countryside Day LADY GUN Victoria Knowles-Lacks is on a mission UNITY IN THE FIELD Mutual respect between hunting and shooting Annual report Game, setter issue and match Celebrating the sport of shooting The magazine ofof over Setters and Pointers CA COVER AUTUMN.indd 3 22/08/2016 10:57 # .') *5-0%23 &2%%$%,)6%292%452.3 £96 NOW £58 03#6:'03£48&"$) #0 4:,).#$--4 . ,'' .#,:/"#.# 4$). ,)$.-.$'''::&- "::)& *-( 4,({ Joseph Turner Customer Using wool from Shetland sheep, renowned for the quality of yarn they produce, makes our jumpers naturally warm and snug. Multicolour PRODUCT CODE: MKSHST UP TO tQVSF4IFUMBOEXPPMt$SFXOFDLTUZMF % tHBVHFLOJUt)BOEXBTIPSESZDMFBOPOMZ 50OFF To fi t chest sizes (inches): M 37-40 Blue/Green L XL XXL USE OFFER CODE 41-44 MACA04 -/2% #/,/523 /.,).% Multicolour Blue/Green /&&%2%.$3/.4(/#4 TO ORDER VISIT 60 DAY FREE RETURNS www.josephturner.co.uk/MACA04 Your items will be despatched within 48 hours of receiving your order, subject to stock. If you’re OR CALL AND QUOTE CODE MACA04 not entirely satisfi ed with your products, you can 01845 575 100 return them to us by FREEPOST within 60 days for a hassle free exchange or refund. Call centre opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 6.30pm and Saturday 10.00am - 3.00pm -RVHSK7XUQHULQGG PLUS BILL WIGGIN Contents MP on his AUTUMN 2016 love of Herefords EDITOR’S LETTER fter a fast-moving and seismic few months in the political A world it’s good to be on the surer ground of our sporting 30 seasons in the lead up to The Festival at www.hurworth-photos.co.uk Amy by Christmas. Sorry to mention the ‘C’ word, of Hunting Photo: but our gift and card collection features on p.12—13 and is a great way to support our È IN THIS ISSUE work into 2017 (and beyond). In addition to buying with us, please NEWS AND CAMPAIGNS will enchant support us in other ways by attending our 4 News 30 The Festival of Hunting exclusive Hamish Mackie exhibition viewing An update from our political team, a new Everything young hunting correspondent Georgie in London (p.34) or one of our big Race Trailblazers gamekeeper scheme and changes Archer could want in a day out Days – Cheltenham (p.11), Aintree and Ffos at Defra 33 BT Broadband Las (p.47) are all in prospect. 11 Cheltenham Countryside Day Plans to connect the fi nal 5 per cent This is also our annual report issue This year it’s Friday (11th) November, 34 Covetable art so please turn to p.9 for our report Armistice Day Sculptor Hamish Mackie talks about his work and accounts. ahead of an exclusive viewing for Countryside Sporting features abound this issue, with FEATURES Alliance members our moorlands providing the backdrop 12 Our Christmas collection 36 Dogs with Jobs to both the Bettie Town Glenprosen Buy our countryside cards and gifts to support Jim Barrington meets Jess and Meg the Enviro Dogs Challenge (p.15) a shoot walk for ramblers our work 39 Game recipe (p.26). We also fi nd out more about the 15 From Sab to Master It’s grouse season, and this recipe won’t disappoint Dess Estate in Aberdeenshire (p.44), and Miles Cooper writes of his journey and his 41 Fishing 4 Schools are grateful to busy lady Gun and shooting thoughts on hunting’s future Big plans for the popular and growing initiative entrepreneur Victoria Knowles-Lacks, 18 The Bettie Town Glen Prosen for youngsters whose charisma is evident on p.48. Challenge 43 Letters Former hunt saboteur Miles Cooper Adrian Blackmore reports from the popular The National Gamekeepers Organisation explains why the Hunting Act must be Angus event and the Police and Crime Commissioner for repealed (p.18), while Catherine Austen 20 With the Heythrop North Yorkshire enjoys a day with the Heythrop (p20) and Catherine Austen describes a fast and furious day 44 Lower Dess Estate Georgie Archer marvels at the ‘show of in the fi eld James Somerville-Meikle visits a sporting haven shows’, the Festival of Hunting (p.30). 23 Herefords for a Herefordshire MP in Aberdeenshire Elsewhere we feature Bill Wiggin Bill Wiggin MP describes his love of Hereford cattle 47 Events MP’s love of Hereford cattle (p.23), our 26 An educational ramble Cheltenham, Aintree, Ffos Las Race Days, and former chairman John Jackson writes A moorland ‘keeper invites some ramblers to the nominate now in the Rural Oscars of his smallholding (p28), BT outlines moor, with positive results 48 My Countryside its broadband plans (p.33), and Jim 28 Farmer JJ Victoria Knowles-Lacks is giving it both barrels to Barrington’s ‘Dogs with jobs’ strand Former Countryside Alliance chairman John get ladies into shooting explores how dogs are being used to sniff Jackson’s book A Little Piece of England out dry rot (p.36). A grouse recipe, Fishing 4 Schools 24-hour Countryside Alliance Fax Countryside Alliance update, letters and events complete the legal hotline Ireland 020 7793 8484 magazine is published 0871 919 3505 [email protected] four times a year issue. I wish you a sporting season. Chairman 02892 639911 Website on behalf of Simon Hart MP Insurance hotline countryside-alliance.org the Countryside 0871 919 9172 Scottish Countryside Alliance by BPG Media Chief Executive Alliance Email 01476 859849 Tim Bonner Campaigns infosca@scottishcountry info@countryside- www.bpgmedia.co.uk 020 7840 9250 sidealliance.org alliance.org Jill Grieve, Editor EditorJill Grieve 0131 335 0200 Events and Advertising Glenprosen by Rebecca Gouturbe - www.rebeccagoutorbe.co.uk Rebecca by Glenprosen Follow me on Twitter @CAjilly Publisher fundraising By post Charlie Coups BPG Media 020 7840 9298 Countryside Alliance, Bethan Watson 1 Spring Mews c.coups@bpgmedia. Membership hotline PR and media Tinworth Street co.uk 020 7840 9300 020 7840 9220 London SE11 5AN 01476 859838 Cover photo: Cover www.countryside-alliance.org.uk AUTUMN 2016 l COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE 3 1HZV0&1)LQGG È MORE NEWS Sign up for our regular Grass e-route newsletter: www.countryside-alliance.org/ca/grass-e-route ReviewRound-up of the stories that matter to you POLITICS Welcome from our Working hard Chief Executive We are living in interesting times, on your behalf where we are assured that ‘Brexit means The political team updates you on the many Brexit’ but don’t issues facing the countryside at the moment necessarily know what that means. The EU referendum may have sporting purposes, and we will be In this limbo phase disturbed the political landscape, working closely with the Department the Countryside Alliance is working to but we remain focused on the issues in these processes. We are also ensure that the voice of rural Britain that matter and are using every expecting the outcome of a review continues to be heard, especially on opportunity at Westminster and into dog breeding legislation. shooting and conservation. the devolved administrations to The Environment, Food and The opportunities Brexit may bring to defend and promote the interests of Rural Affairs Select Committee has the UK are numerous, and broader issues rural communities. concluded its inquiry into animal on which we have campaigned, including The Government’s Policing and welfare and is expected to report honest food labelling and a cut in VAT Crime Bill is now being considered in October. This has included an on home improvements, may be a step by the House of Lords and we examination of the RSPCA’s role in closer in time. Meantime, I encourage are hopeful that some of the enforcement of animal welfare laws. everyone, as I always will, to buy British improvements to fi rearms law, We have highlighted the potential and support our farmers. It is a period of proposed by Geoffrey Clifton- confl ict of interest between the uncertainty for them and we must show Brown MP in the Commons, will be Society’s charitable, campaigning, them that we are right behind them. taken forward by the Government. investigatory and prosecution We are also hopeful that the new roles, and are hopeful that this will “‘Brexit means Brexit’ Ministerial team in the Home Offi ce be refl ected in the Committee’s will reconsider the proposal by Sir recommendations. The Committee but we don’t necessarily Edward Garnier MP to make it easier is also looking into rural tourism and know what that means’. for police offi cers to remove face forestry management and we will be coverings from protestors. highlighting the role and importance We have a busy autumn ahead with Defra are expected to review of country sports in these two areas. party conferences, fundraisers, our Rural a number of important codes of We have submitted evidence to the Oscars and much more. I thank you for practice including the welfare of Environmental Audit Committee’s your continued support and remind dogs, and gamebirds reared for inquiry into the future of the you that the Countryside Alliance will natural environment after the EU be celebrating 20 years of operation in referendum and will be working 2017. We will be marking that anniversary closely with Defra and the new and will be asking you to contribute in Department for Exiting the EU to various ways. set out the rural issues that must At the time of going to press, the be considered during the exit sad news has been reported that our negotiations.