Organisations, businesses and individuals are being encouraged to enter teams for the 2015 Countryside Clay Shoot, organised by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the CLA Game Fair.

The annual charity clay shoot, which is being held on Six Mile Bottom estate in Cambridgeshire on Saturday 23 May 2015, will raise money for the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust (GWT) and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).

Teams of four will compete across six stands with a mix of simulated game targets. Entry costs £600 per team, which is £150 per person and will include hospitality.

The winning team will receive the Hugh van Cutsem Challenge Cup, dedicated to the memory of the keen shot and countryman, which will be presented by Emilie van Cutsem.

Steve Bloomfield, BASC England director, said: “This popular annual event is a way for everyone who shoots to support the two charities and raise funds. I would urge you to enter a team at the earliest opportunity.”

Tony Wall, Director of the CLA Game Fair, added: “We are thrilled to be hosting this esteemed event alongside BASC for very worthwhile causes. Having had a whole game shooting season to get your eye in, the competition should be fierce.”

Twenty five teams took part in the 2014 event, which was won by the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation and included teams from BASC, the CLA, the Countryside Alliance, The Angling Trust and the National Farmers’ Union.

Places are limited so advance booking is essential.

To book a place please contact BASC Central on 01283 810910 or central@basc.org.uk

Visitors and exhibitors at this year’s CLA Game Fair, to be held at Harewood House in Yorkshire from Friday 31 July until Sunday 2 August, will benefit from enhanced communications technology meaning they can use mobile phones, tablet computers and payment terminals more effectively.

Mobile communications coverage and services will be enhanced thanks to a £130,000 investment in technology, which will fund 12 free Wi-Fi hotspots located around the show site. The funding for the high-speed connectivity has been provided by the CLA as well as sponsorship from interested exhibitors.

In addition, the CLA Game Fair and its technology partner 123 Hire are installing a broadcast network dedicated exclusively to the transmission and processing of credit and debit card transactions. The “123VIP” network, which will supported by six broadcast masts providing coverage of the whole showground, will enable exhibitors to benefit from a congestion-free payment system.

Tony Wall, Director of the CLA Game Fair, commented: “We are aware of the problems visitors have experienced with mobile network coverage at countryside events and this investment will create one of the UK’s best ever show experiences for smart phone and tablet users. It will not only mean they can stay in touch with family and friends during the event but that they can make use of social media and enjoy an enhanced CLA Game Fair experience.”

Robert Sears, CLA Game Fair Exhibitor Liaison Officer, added: “Mobile network congestion has meant past frustration for exhibitors using card payment machines but the new 123VIP private network will ensure they can process card payments quickly and efficiently. We are encouraging all exhibitors to make use of this service to ensure they get the very best out of this year’s CLA Game Fair.”

For more details, visit www.gamefair.co.uk

Harewood House Half Marathon unites 1000 in the fight for every heartbeat.

More than 1000 laced up their trainers this weekend for the BHF’s inaugural Harewood House Half Marathon in a united front against coronary heart disease, the UK’s single biggest killer.

The British Heart Foundation Harewood House Half Marathon which started and finished in the in front of the stately home saw runners cover 13.1 miles through the Harewood estate to raise urgently needed funds for the nation’s heart charity.

BHF Event Organiser Helen Wright said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part, everyone who supported our runners and all of our volunteers particularly the local Raynet group. Coronary heart disease is not beaten yet – it remains the single biggest killer in the UK and it’s because of your support, that we are able to continue our fight to find a cure.”

The BHF hopes to raise £70,000 from the Harewood House Half Marathon to help fund essential research which could create a better future for so many – from babies born with heart defects, to the millions of adults affected by heart disease.  Coronary heart disease is responsible for almost 80,000 deaths each year; that’s over 200 people dying every single day.

Join the fight today and register for a BHF event today. The next local British Heart Foundation event taking place is the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge on Saturday 11^th July from Horton in Ribblesdale. Registration is now open www.bhf.org/uk/y3p

Six months on from the Tour de France, following the magnificent Grand Depart event, Harewood House has been nominated to win Landmark of the Year 2014-15, a BBC Countryfile award.  Going up against Shakespeare’s Birth Place Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon, Llanddwyn Island Lighthouse on Anglesey, The Kelpies in Falkirk and Dark Hedges in Armoy, Harewood will compete for the award in a public vote.

Lord Harewood said, “The Grand Depart was a great occasion for Yorkshire and I’m really proud that Harewood was able to play its part in it. Everything came right on the day – even the weather – and that’s a tribute to the hard work, energy and commitment of so many people, both here and across the county.”

The weekend was a fantastic spectacle of sport, community and entertainment which resonated around the world. Harewood stood at the start of the race as a true Yorkshire icon, hosting thousands of spectators including their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The sight of the peloton approaching the historic building as the Red Arrows flew overhead was one of the moments of the day, prompting race bosses to describe the start of the 2014 Tour de France as “the grandest Grand Depart ever”.

July 2014: HRH Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry open the 2014 Tour de France at Harewood

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said, “The Tour de France was an amazing showcase for Yorkshire. Harewood House was a magnificent backdrop and helped raise Yorkshire’s profile around the world.”

Vote for Harewood:

To whittle down the contenders, BBC Countryfile asked experts in each field to draw up shortlists of candidates. They are now asking members of the public to vote for their favourites via post, email (awards@countryfile.com) and on the BBC Countryfile Magazine website, http://www.countryfile.com/article/landmark-year-201415.

• 2015 event date confirmed: Saturday 26^th September
• Alistair & Jonny Brownlee “Harewood a great venue for triathlon”

September 2014: Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee host the Brownlee Tri North at Harewood

The Brownlee Tri will be returning to Harewood House in Leeds on Saturday 26^th September 2015. Alistair and Jonny Brownlee’s hugely popular triathlon will once again offer Sprint and Super Sprint distances for individuals and a Sprint relay for teams around the spectacular Harewood course. Early bird registration for the triathlon is set to open within the next few weeks.

The 2015 Brownlee Tri will build on the success of the 2014 event, when over 1,000 competitors and 4,000 spectators enjoyed a fantastic day out at the stunning Harewood estate. The event proved to be an instant hit among the triathlon community, who praised the course for its breath-taking scenery, closed circuit layout and one of the most exciting new bike routes on the calendar.

Alistair Brownlee commented “We’re really pleased to be able to bring the Brownlee Tri back to Harewood House. It’s such a great triathlon venue with a course that offers something for everyone: young and old, experienced or new to the sport.” Jonny added “Last year was brilliant, seeing so many people competing and enjoying themselves at a venue only 10 minutes from our own home.”

The event will once again offer a packed entertainment village and the opportunity for competitors and spectators to explore the grounds of the Harewood Estate, including the Bird Garden and Adventure Playground.

Race Director Louise Cornish said “We’re delighted that the Brownlee Tri is returning to Harewood House, which we believe is one of the UK’s best triathlon venues.  As with this year’s Brownlee Tri, we want to deliver a premium triathlon experience for competitors of all abilities, as well as a great day out for the thousands of friends and families who turn up to support.’

Enter now by visiting www.brownleetri.com