Two local charities will be among the beneficiaries of the Whitfield Annual Clay Shoot at Hexham, Northumberland on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May.
The charities have been named as At Home in the Community and The Tynedale Hospice at Home. Both will receive cheques at a presentation over the weekend of the event. This is one of the UK's biggest clay shooting events and raises thousands of pounds each year for local charities, national research charity the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and the Countryside Alliance.
At Home in the Community provides care and support for people with severe learning disabilities in the North East including Haltwhistle, Hexham, Prudhoe, Dinnington, Walker and Gosforth. The Tynedale Hospice at Home aims to supply hands-on care and support to those with life limiting illness who choose to be cared for at home in the Tynedale and West Northumberland areas.
The trade stands for the weekend have also been announced: Bywell Shooting Ground; Newtonrigg College; Allendale Brewery, bringing a beer tent to the shoot for the first time; Johnnie Griffiths, who will demonstrate fly-tying; Brocksbushes, who will supply fresh produce and home-made pies; Squirrels North East; Tyne Valley Ices; and Gamebore Cartridges. BASC will run the pool shoot and have qualified coaches on hand.
DLT Photography will have a stand on both days so that teams and individuals alike can order their personalised photograph during the event. There will also be an arts and crafts tent, showcasing local talent such as The Allendale Forge Artists Will Dawes, Gina Gelder, Robert Ford and the wildlife and sporting artist Jason Lowes.
New for 2014 is Star Shot, 14 targets each to be shot within the designated square, with the high gun from each day going through to the national championship.
This year the shoot is sponsored by Gamebore, Marsdens, Red Lion at Newbrough and Smiths Gore. There will also be a silent auction and raffle on both days with a variety of shooting, fishing, art and edible auction lots on offer. The organisers are hoping that 2014 will be the Whitfield Annual Clay Shoot's finest and most successful year yet.
The entry fee is £320 for each team of four. For further information please contact Stuart Maughan on 07501 460017 or by email at parkheadfarm@btconnect.com.
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Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk