The Countryside Alliance returns to Cheltenham

The Countryside Alliance was delighted to return to Cheltenham racecourse on Friday, 11th November, where thousands of our members and supporters gathered to enjoy great racing and to show their support for Countryside Day.

The first day of Cheltenham's three-day November meeting saw the Alliance have a wide presence, including a fundraising lunch and a dedicated members' marquee plus a stand in the Shopping Village which sold merchandise across all three days of racing.

Hundreds of members visited the Alliance's designated members' marquee which provided the perfect base for the day, giving them an opportunity to meet Chief Executive, Tim Bonner, and other Alliance representatives. Virtually every table was full in the members' area when trainer, Lawney Hill, kindly entertained those present as she went through the racecard, offering an insight into the days' racing ahead and recommending some tips for the day.

A successful fundraising lunch also took place which was chaired this year by Christopher Hodgson who has taken over the reins from Bobby Burnett. Warwickshire Hunt chairman, Sam Butler, acted as auctioneer during the live auction, which included some fabulous lots including men's final tickets for Wimbledon and an African safari, raising funds that will be split between the Alliance, and the extraordinary work of our charity partner this year, Cotswold Riding for the Disabled.

Our chairman, Nick Herbert, thanked Christopher Hodgson and his committee for coordinating the lunch and all those who had kindly donated lots for both the live auction and silent auction. Lord Herbert also welcomed those attending the lunch, highlighting how their support enables the Alliance to continue its vital campaigning work in Westminster and beyond.

One of the highlights of the day for many was watching the Cotswold hounds parade in front of the large and enthusiastic crowd, galloping down the course past the winning post as they departed the racecourse ahead of the start of the third race. The Cotswold's hunt staff were joined by huntsmen and other representatives from the Avon Vale, Berkeley, Bicester with Whaddon Chase, North Cotswold, Cotswold Vale Farmers, Croome & West Warwickshire, Kimblewick, Ledbury, Ross Harriers, VWH, Warwickshire and Worcestershire hunts.

The Alliance's Director of the Campaign for Hunting, Polly Portwin, expressed gratitude to all those who took part in the parade and to Cheltenham racecourse for all their support in so many ways on Countryside Day: "We are incredibly grateful to all the hunts for taking time out at such a busy time of the hunting season to participate in what is an opportunity to demonstrate the strong links that still exist between hunting and National Hunt racing, and to all those who assisted in ensuring the parade could go ahead successfully again this year."

"Countryside Day is a very special event in our calendar and we are extremely thankful to all those at Cheltenham who support the work of the Alliance, enabling us to raise all-important funds which go towards supporting the rural way of life and we look forward to returning in 2023."

Lesley Gorton, General Manager for Cotswold Riding for the Disabled, also extended her thanks to Cheltenham and the Alliance: "We were delighted to be chosen as the charity partner for Countryside Day and we thank the committee and the Countryside Alliance for their most generous support. Our pony Jack was guest of honour as racegoers came through the gate - he was very popular and thoroughly enjoyed all the attention - whilst our volunteer bucket-collectors, known as 'bucketeers', worked hard to collect donations from generous racegoers as they left the racecourse, for which we are incredibly grateful."

Image credit: Georgina Preston Photography