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Dunster Country Fair - Dunster Castle Lawns, nr Minehead Somerset on Wednesday |
To be held at: Dunster Castle Lawns, Dunster on A39 between Williton and Minehead, Somerset
By kind permission of Mr Julian Luttrell
Fair Director:
Mrs Jenny Thomas
Higher Rodhuish Farm, Minehead, Somerset TA24 6QL
Telephone 01984 640253
Honorary Secretary:
Marie McLean- Foreman
Telephone 01643 705430
Email: info@dunstercountryfair.co.uk
Website: http://www.dunstercountryfair.co.uk/wordpress/
DUNSTER COUNTRY FAIR - 25th July 2012
The Dunster Country Fair is now in its 33rd year, having started out as a Donkey Derby.
Dunster Country Fair aims to promote country sports and the country way of life by bringing together horses, hounds and dogs of every description, a fine range of country pursuits and activities, and amusements for young and old alike. Dunster Country Fair is organised by a committee drawn from the two local hunts, the West Somerset Hunt and the Minehead Harriers, and is generously sponsored by local businesses.The Fair is also an important show for the Exmoor Pony Society and Fell Pony Society, so come along and have a great family day out!
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| EXMOOR PONY SOCIETY SHOW |
Entries Secretary:
Mrs Joanna Webber
Riverside Cottage, Wootton Courtenay, Minehead, TA24 8RE
Telephone: 01643 841596
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| FELL PONY SOCIETY SHOW - South West Group |
Entries Secretary and Enquiries:
Mrs Susan Williamson
Trigiffian Farm, Lanner, Redruth, Cornwall, TR16 6EY
Telephone: 01209 213131 / 07809 275550
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| EQUESTRIAN TEAM EVENTS |
| Teams from local riding clubs, pony clubs and hunts are invited to participate in a series of team events, which take place in the Main Arena. Organiser: Jenny Thomas 01984 640253 |
Pony Club Games (Organiser: Bella Capel 01643 841218)
Scurry Jumping : West Somerset Pony Club versus West Somerset Riding Club
Ride and Bike in pairs for the Jaydee Challenge Cup (1 horse/pony, 1 bike and 2 competitors)
Inter -hunt Handy Hunter Competition
Pony Club Handy Hunter Competition |
| HOUND SHOW |
| Organiser: Mr Andrew Turner, 4 Barnes Cottages, Cutcombe, Minehead, Somerset TA24 7AW Tel: 01643 841831 |
The Dunster Country Fair Hound Show gives local Hunts the opportunity to compete against each other in the ring and show off their hounds to the general public. These hounds have been carefully bred over hundreds of years to hunt their specific quarry, whether it was fox, deer, hare or mink. Their breeding can be traced through the hunt record books back over generations.
There are only three packs of Staghounds in the country all based here in the South West which are responsible for managing the red deer herds. It is the presence of these hunts which has ensured the survival of the only significant and truely wild red deer herds left in England. Deer do cause a considerable amount of damage to crops but the hunts have eased this burden on the farmers prior to the hunt ban by dispersing the deer herds over a large area.
In the past many farmers and land owners only tolerated large numbers of deer because of the hunting, with the hunting ban in place there is little incentive for them to do so but they continue to tolerate the numbers in the short term on the basis the ban will be overturned. The presence of the hunts has for many years acted to dissuade poachers. The Hunts continue to provide a 24 hour casualty service to deal with injured deer usually hurt as a result of road accidents. The Staghound packs still cull deer under exemptions in the Hunting Act.
The original pure bred Staghound no longer exists in this country. The Staghound packs use hounds of Foxhound blood. The modern day Staghound tends to be a large strong hound built for stamina. Foxes also cause significant damage and can cost farmers a great deal of money as they will take piglets, lambs and poultry often killing far more than they can eat. Foxhound packs are the most common hunts in this country and they help to keep the foxes at acceptable levels for the farmers by culling foxes using exemptions in the Hunting Act. Some hunts also undertake trail hunting.
The Foxhound is another large hound built for speed and stamina. The West Country Harrier is as its name implies mainly confined to the South West of England. It is often a lighter colour than the standard Harrier. It is smaller and lighter in weight than the foxhound with a finer build. Originally they were bred to hunt hares but most packs changed over to hunt now also use exemptions under the Hunting Act or trail hunt. Due to their smaller size, agility and speed compared to the Foxhound they are particularly good at hunting in thick cover and over the
difficult terrain found here in the south west.
The Beagle is the smallest hound on show here today and they were originally bred to hunt hares. Since the hunting ban most packs now hunt rabbits (which are exempt) or trail hunt. Hunt Staff and followers are on foot. Beagles are very enthusiastic and active hounds. The Minkhound descends from the Otterhound although up until the hunting ban they hunted Mink.
Otter hunting stopped voluntarily many years ago when the huntsmen noticed a fall in otter numbers. This fall was nothing to do with hunting but as a result of environmental factors. Mink were Introduced into this country when they were released from Mink farms by animal rights extremists. They are a vicious predator often devastating local populations of native species such as the water vole and ground nesting birds. They also take poultry. The Minkhounds hunted on foot along the river banks during the summer months and helped to keep the Mink population in check. Since the ban they
now hunt either rats or rabbits ( both are exempt ). The Minkhound is a friendly tough sturdy hound with a thick coat and is a good swimmer. It is ideally suited to hunting in difficult conditions. |
| TERRIER AND LURCHER SHOWS & DOG AGILITY |
| Organiser: Barbara Stevens 01643 705924 |
| FAMILY DOG SHOW - judging begins at 2.00 pm |
| Organiser: Barbara Stevens 01643 705924 |
| GUN DOG SCURRY |
| Organiser: John Carter. Telephone 01643 821282 |
| MINEHEAD & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY SHOW |
Secretary: Mrs Doreen Coombs
Mill Close, Vellow Road, Stogumber, Taunton TA4 3TL
Tel: 01984 656565 |
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| Contact Details |
Fair Director:
Mrs Jenny Thomas
Higher Rodhuish Farm, Minehead, Somerset TA24 6QL
Telephone 01984 640253
Email:info@dunstercountryfair.co.uk
Honorary Secretary:
Marie McLean-Foreman
Telephone 01643 705430
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Dunster Country Fair
Dunster Castle Lawns, nr Minehead, Somerset.
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