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Proposed 'Eco-Town' at Wardle Pochin Developments have now withdrawn the application. More detail.... A highly stealthy proposal to build an 'Eco-Town' on either side of the A51 at Wardle has been submitted, and seems to have avoided the usual processes that accompany such developments. The proposal is for 7,000 properties and would have an enormous impact on a large area of the Cheshire Hunt country, not to mention the numerous problems it would present to local residents. Click here to read a detailed letter submitted by Stephen O'Brien MP. Click here for a flier, including more information on who you can address your concerns to. Click here to sign the online petition of opposition. Haughton Hunt Race The 2008 O'ssmans Ride was won in fine style by Patrick Millington. Ryck Turner has kindly written a report of his day, which can be read here. End of Season Dinner Tickets are now available for the End of Season Dinner - for full details please see the Events Page. Hunting Ban in Tatters.... The ban on hunting has been left in tatters after a judge suggested it was virtually impossible to bring a conviction against those accused of breaking the law. Legislation introduced in 2005 to outlaw hunting with dogs is too difficult "to interpret or apply" said Judge Graham Cottle, as he upheld an appeal from the first huntsman to be convicted of breaching the Act. Read the full story from the Sunday Telegraph here. New Season The new hunting season has now begun, and we will again continue to hunt within the current legal framework. Cheshire Hunt Novelty Dog Show 2007 Sunday 22nd July saw the Cheshire Hunt Kennels teeming with dogs of the non-hound variety, as the doors were thrown open for the annual novelty dog show. Further rain didn't put off the eager competitors in the terrier racing, fancy dress or nobbly knees competition! Cake stalls, sizzling burgers and a Pimms bar all ensured that visitors were well sustained, and the day was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Cheshire Hunt Puppy Show 2007 Another wonderful Puppy Show was held on Friday 20th July and the rain could not dampen the spirits of the audience. Guy Mather and his team had done another amazing job to get the kennels in pristine condition for the day. The Two judges were Johnny O’Shea, the Cheshire Hunts ex–huntsman for 25 years and Stephen Lloyd, Master of Sir W.W.Wynns. The masters and the committee would once again thank all the puppy walkers for their continued support and dedication.
Highway Code Amendments for Riders... The Prime Minister aims to amend the Highway code
to stop people riding Deadline to sign up by: 13 August 2007 - Tory Leader Plans Repeal... From the Oxford Times on the 3rd May:- 'Give MPs vote on hunting ban' By Andy Tate ANIMAL rights supporters reacted angrily to plans by Tory leader David Cameron to give MPs a free vote to repeal the fox hunting ban. The Witney MP told GMTV: "I have always believed that country sports are something that have taken place for years and they do not need the approach of the criminal law. "In a new Parliament, it should have a new vote, on a free vote basis, on the issue of hunting." The MP's spokesman confirmed that Mr Cameron, who voted against Labour's 2005 ban, would also vote to scrap it if he became Prime Minister. On Tuesday, Mr Cameron told Talksport radio he still found time to shoot "the odd pigeon". Asked if he saw anything wrong with hunting or shooting he said: "No, I don't see anything wrong with it at all. I was brought up in the country, I enjoy country sports, I still have a bit of time for the odd pigeon. And sometimes do a bit of fishing." He described the ban as a "farce" and said: "We've passed a law that everyone is openly flouting and it makes the law look stupid." Penny Little, of the organisation Protect Our Wild Animals, based in Great Haseley, described his comments as "appalling." She said: "There is lawlessness in the countryside. Hunt monitors are the only ones trying to collate evidence and we're facing high levels of abuse and obstruction. "Is it Mr Cameron's theory that all laws that are broken should be repealed? "The hunts have always considered themselves above the law, and that's what they are trying to prove. "They are setting out to smash this law, and for a senior politician to encourage and condone law breaking is disgraceful. "I hope people take careful note that this is what David Cameron is really about - supporting his blood sport-loving friends. His caring, kindly image has gone out the window." Richard Dossett-Davies, a member of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and Green Party supporter, from Cogges Hill Road, Witney, said: "There are people who break the law with dog fighting and badger baiting. Does that mean we should also repeal those laws? "I've got no problem with shooting pigeons or rabbits, especially if they are going to eat them. "But there are better ways of controlling foxes. Labour MP for Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: "His enthusiasm for killing animals for fun is shocking, and exposes the myth of the image he is trying to put across." The League Against Cruel Sports said: "Many people in Oxfordshire will find these remarks distasteful and distressing." 8:15am today http://www.theoxfordtimes.net/news/headlines/display.var.1372332.0.give_mps_vote_on_hunting_ban.php
The Cheshire Hunt Point to Point meeting at Alpraham has a Swedish Twist..... The Point to Point produced a cracking days racing, thanks largely to a great team of workers headed by the dedicate Clerk of course Hugh Holbrooke. There were plenty of runners, the large crowd basked in glorious sunshine and with only one jolly going in on the seven race card, it was a very good day for the “old enemy”. Bookmakers got off to a good start in the opening Members race when Raconteur, the complete outsider at 25-1, made virtually all the running under Michelle Mullineaux to beat the well backed “jolly” The Eens by three parts of a length. The winner is trained at Tattenhall by the former jockey Reg Crank and owned by John Wood from Audlem. Wood rode After You to win the Members race at the North Staffs meeting at Sandon 12 years ago. Thirteen runners went to post for the Open Maiden race. Gary Hanmer must have had mixed feelings about the result as he rode the winner of the race on the Laura Levy trained Stewarts’ Dream, who came home in splendid isolation from Grey Tarquin, a horse he trains himself, by 20 lengths. The trainer is the wife of Stoke on Trent trainer Barry Leavy and this was the first time that she had ever trained a winner and this is also the only horse she has in training. The winning owner Stuart Riley from Leek in Staffordshire has had many winners under rules including Stewart’s Pride who used to be trained by Steven Brookshaw. Hanmer went on to complete a double aboard the very progressive Noble Persian, who won the Confined with insulting ease by 20 lengths from Benditbecks with Houghton Bay was a further two lengths back in third. Hanmer, who was riding his 8 th winner of the season also trained the son of Persian Bold. Afterwards, Hanmer said that the winner hated the glue pot condtiions but added that he is very good and wished he had a few more like him. The winner has now won all five starts for his owner Rob Hankey, who is the clerk of the course at Tabley. It was a good weekend for the Ford’s from Tarporley. Richard Ford trained Brown Teddy to win at Bangor the day before and yesterday at Alpraham it was the turn of his wife Carrie to visit the winners enclosure, following the success of the veteran Chadswell in the Ladies Open under Pernilla Hermasson who outstayed Potoffairies to win by two and a half lengths. Carrie explained, ”He has been a great servant for the yard. He just loves it here and we love him. I am really pleased for Pernilla to have ridden her first winner and that is only from three rides. She is Swedish and came to us two years ago from the British Racing School where she was the top graduate. We will run the old boy next in the Members race at the Vale of Lune meeting at Whittington on Easter Saturday.” Another lady who had a good weekend was Sherrifhales trainer Caroline Robinson, who won with Whistling Straights at Garthorpe the day before. Yesterday Rebel Army won a thrilling Men’s Open under Charlie Huxley to wear down Judge Reilly on the run in to win by a length and a half with Trooper a further 4 lengths back in third. It is not often that Burtie gets in wrong, but he could have ridden this winner for Robinson but opted to ride Infrasonique for Pamela Sykes instead.. Former point to point rider, local boy and member, David Barlow has ridden many winners at this course as it was his local track, but now having to retire due to back related problems, he made it back in to the winners enclosure with Copper Grove as an owner, a horse he co owns with Ian Anderson, the secretary of the Tanatside Hunt. The winner provided Jonathon Jarrett with his first win of the season and for trainer Gwynne Owen. This was his third winner of the season, all of which were for owners David Barlow and Ian Anderson. Chalk It Up followed up his Eyton win by winning again at Siddington the day before. It would be safe to say that one could write on the back of a postage stamp what Market Drayton owner Ray Gittins does not know about racing. He was secretary to trainer Stan Mellor for over 20 years, a position he now holds with Helshaw Grange Stud at Tern Hill. Yesterday he became a successful owner after his colours were carried to victory in the two and a half mile Maiden by Maggie Boon, who relished the conditions under a fine ride from David Sherlock to win eased down by 10 lengths from Cheers Thank You with Vallum a further 5 lengths back in third. This is the first horse that Gittins has ever owned and he bought the mare at the Doncaster sales last August because he liked her breeding. The winner is trained at Much Wenloch by Lisa Willis. The Point to Point Committee wish to thank all sponsors and supporters for their contribution to the day. Without them the such events would not be able to happen.
Results Denis Ferranti Cheshire Hunt Members Race 12st5lbs (5 runners) 1- Raconteur – Miss M Mullineaux 25-1 2- The Eens – M Sollitt, 4-5f 3- Tide in Knots (IRE) S Ross,2-1 Denton Clark Open Maiden 5yro&up 12st (13runners) 1- Stewarts Dream – G Hanmer, 16-1 2- Grey Tarquin, M Murphy, 5-1 3- Deux Bons Amis, Miss G Garton, 10-1 Chester Race Company Confined, 12st (12runners) 1- Noble Persian (IRE), G Hanmer, 4-6F 2- Benditbecks (IRE), A Wadlow, 8-1 3- Houghton Bay (IRE), C Huxley, 14-1 HJ Lea Oakes Limited Ladies Open 11st (11 Runners) 1- Chadswell (IRE), Miss P. Hermansson, 8-1 2- Potpffairies (IRE), Miss J. Coward, 12-1 3- Astonville (FR), Miss K. Morgan, 4-1 Volkswagen Touareg Mens Open, 12st (7 Runners) 1- Rebel Army (IRE), C Huxley, 9-2 2- Judge Reilly (IRE), P Millington, 20-1 3- Trooper, A Woodward, 12-1 Grenson Motor Company Restricted, 12st ( 13 Runners) 1- Copper Grove (IRE), J Jarrett,10-1 2- Balrasna, GG Hanmer, 4-1, G Hanmer 3- Striking Distance (IRE), Miss G Gorse Cazaenove Capital Management Open Maiden 5,6&7 yo, 2m4f 12st (12 runners) 1- Maggie Boon, D Sherlock,14-1 2- Cheers Thank you (IRE), G Hanmer, 7-2 3- Vallum (IRE), S Ross, 12-1 Hall Livesey Brown Leading Rider of the meeting Garry Hanmer. The Peter Williamson Trophy for the Leading Cheshire Rider. Garry Hanmer
In a closely fought contest, the Hunt Race held at Haughton Hall
in February was won by Katherine Diggle, followed by Polly Stockton
in second place and Felix Patterson in third. Fourth place was
taken by David O'Brien with the first Lady over a certain age being
named as Gilly Higgin (Cheshire), the first heavy weight
as Jim Evans ( North Shropshire). The first Cheshire rider was
Katherine Diggle.
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