Dear Lord Burns
Hunting The local Community
I am writing to you as Chairman of the Avon Vale Hunt Supporter's Club. You may be interested to know that there is a huge following of hunts, not just mounted or even on foot, but by people who live in the countryside and towns, and wish to belong to a supporter's club for the social events that are organised for them.
The AVHSC has a paid up membership of over 200 individuals/families that benefit greatly from the events run by the club and you will find that the social life of our members is built around these events. I have enclosed a copy of our 'Social Meet Card' which will give you some idea of the scope of activities organised by our committee, ranging from a dog show at Spye Park to a Whist Drive for the villagers of Beckington.
It is important to understand that many (if not all) of the 20 social events that are arranged each year attract people outside of the hunting community - mainly people who appreciate the countryside and want to be part of it.
I would estimate that our events, in a year, would have a total attendance of over 3,000 people excluding the 'Point to Point' which, in fairness, is run by a separate committee, but all part of the Hunt.
We also make sizeable donations to charities each year- the recipient last year (98/99) was the "Wiltshire Air Ambulance' and this year I decided to donate to 'The Samaritans' in Bath. We also support local charities such as the 'Dorothy House Hospice' by selling their sunflowers at our social events.
I hope that I have been able to demonstrate to you that we are a caring bunch of like minded people from all walks of life that are joined in a common enjoyment of the countryside. We may be a minority certainly, but one that must be allowed to continue to do its work into the future to ensure a good quality of social life and support for the people of the countryside, especially when there are so many other pressures facing farming and rural life.
If you would like any further information, do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
E J Stiles
Chairman
Date uploaded to site 30 May 2000