Raising the Game at the Welsh Assembly

The Countryside Alliance took their flagship project Game to Eat to the heart of Welsh politics on Wednesday (22^nd November) as part of the celebrations for Great British Game Week.

The event now the third of its kind held by the Alliance at the Assembly received cross party support from Assembly Members Paul Davies (Welsh Conservatives), Neil Hamilton (UKIP), Mike Hedges (Labour), Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru) and Kirsty Williams (Welsh Liberal Democrats).

Politicians, journalists, members and supporters were treated to a feast of game cookery by multiple award winning chef Roger Stevens of the Lasswade Hotel, Llanwrtyd Wells and Executive Chef Jason Lloyd of Charlton House Catering and his team. Guests were treated to sumptuous game dishes of rabbit casserole, duck and pheasant Thai curry, venison burgers, stir fried partridge and more.

The game was supplied by young entrepreneur Izzy Hosking of Pennant Valley Game, a keen shot who has established a thriving game business in the heart of Mid Wales. Izzy gave several butchery demonstrations to guests who were able to pick up some top tips on getting the quarry to the plate in record time.

Rachel Evans, Countryside Alliance Director for Wales, said: "Shooting provides a vital financial and social lifeline to much of rural Wales, it is hugely important that we promote Welsh game at the heart of politics here in Cardiff Bay. Shooting provides £75 million to the Welsh economy supporting the equivalent of 2400 fulltime jobs, having cross party support is a real boost for the future of shooting in Wales."

Jack Knott, Game to Eat Campaign Manager, said: "The chefs demonstrated a vast variety of ways to cook game which managed to inspire even the most accomplished chef's amongst our guests. It was a Welsh showcase of everything shooting and we were rewarded with a fantastic turnout by Assembly Members and Countryside Alliance members and supporters."