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The Young Countryman | Clayshooting | Field Archery | Falconry | Game Fishing | Dog Handling
New ‘Young Countryman of the Year’ challenge brings excitement and new skills WITH the New Year comes the search for the UK’s Young Countryman of the Year 2007,an amazing opportunity for boys and girls aged between nine and 16 who fancy learning the skills of handling a bird of prey, of traditional field archery, clay shooting, angling, and dog handling. In the first event of its type, The Countryman’s Weekly Young Countryman of the Year Challenge takes place at Living Heritage’s successful game and country shows being held at beautiful stately homes and show grounds right across the UK. As they take place between March and September in locations ranging from Devon, Norfolk, Kent/Sussex, Hertfordshire, Wiltshire, Yorkshire and Cheshire, there’s bound to be an event near you. Mark Hulme, from Living Heritage, said: "The aim is to encourage the next generation of countrymen and develop a growing interest in the countryside. "The original idea has been in the back of my mind for several years and I have talked to various organisations and individuals with everyone expressing a positive interest. "Its launch corresponds with an expansion of the Living Heritage Shows through a network of regional events covering most areas of England." The Challenge will be great fun for all concerned and involves practical and theory sections in falconry, field archery, clay shooting, dog handling and angling. Don’t be put off by this as all entrants will receive a pack brimming full with interesting information that will help them do as much research as they want before taking part. The winners from each show will compete at Belvoir Castle Game and Country Show, near Grantham, Leicestershire, on October 6 and 7, for the title of Young Countryman of the Year 2007. They can also win the category winner title of:
The overall winner receives the coveted Young Countryman of the Year Challenge Shield presented by The Countryman’s Weekly and runners up and category winners will also receive medals and prizes including a very special day spent with either John Bidwell for clay shooting or Chris Neal for falconry. Win or lose, you’ll also get the chance to tell your friends and readers of The Countryman’sWeekly all about it in the special Young Countryman’s Writer’s Section where you can write about your own experience of the Challenge. You might even get your picture taken as well. Now is the perfect time to enter into The Young Countryman’s Challenge as only 50 people per event can take part and places will go to those getting their forms in first. We’ve kept the costs down to encourage youngsters to take part in a top game and country fair with plenty to see and do for all. The first qualifier is at the South Eastern Game and Country Show on April 21 and 22 at Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells, which means all entries will have to arrive at Living Heritage’s offices by March 30 at the latest. The dates of all the shows are listed on this page. Successful entrants will receive confirmation of their entry along with their information pack by post soon after this date. Each of Living Heritage’s shows is held over two days at weekends, some are held on Bank Holidays, and full tuition by top experts is given on the first day with prizes presented mid afternoon on the second day. Champion clay shooter John Bidwell said: "The Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for any youngster who would like to try one of these fantastic country sports. "This is how I was inspired as a keen youngster, fascinated with country life, which eventually gave me the opportunity to shoot for the Great Britain Shooting Team. "Good luck to all youngsters in the competition."
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The Young Countryman of the Year