Countryside Alliance attends Festival of Hunting as proud sponsor

The Countryside Alliance was delighted to be a key sponsor of the Festival of Hunting which took place at the East of England Showground last week (20th July). Held alongside the prestigious Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, this annual event is a highlight of the summer hunting calendar, attended by thousands of hunt supporters from across the country.

"The Festival of Hunting showcases everything that the hunting community and our membership loves about hunting: tradition, craftsmanship, artistry, showmanship, competition, camaraderie, performance and entertainment," enthused Tim Bonner, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance. "To sponsor and support this bastion of the hunting world is a privilege for the Alliance and we look forward to developing this growing relationship."

He continued: "At its core, the Countryside Alliance is for its members; passionately working in support of its membership whilst promoting and protecting their rights. The Festival of Hunting offers us, as sponsors and as a campaigning organisation, the luxury to be amongst our membership. Being able to interact face-to-face with our supporters, celebrating their hound showing victories and congratulating hunt staff during their moments of glory, is all part of the joy of attending this and other hound shows again."

The highlight for many of those present was the news that filtered through mid-morning that Mark Hankinson had successfully appealed his conviction for encouraging illegal hunting. Following a two-day trial earlier in the month, the judgment was heard at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday morning as the judging of the doghounds was taking place across the showground.

The Countryside Alliance continues its support for hunting in its sponsorship of the West of England Hound Show at Honiton next week on 4th August. Members of the Campaign for Hunting team will be in attendance along with Chief Executive, Tim Bonner, and we look forward to seeing many more of our supporters throughout the course of the day.