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Welcome to the Supporters' Club Blog.
4.1.08
18.10.07
Autumn Newsletter
It's been a busy year for the supporters committee and firstly we’d like to thank all the supporters for their continued support at events, in the field and behind the scenes.
The last AGM saw a change in the officers of the club with Sharan Braham taking over the chair from Danny Murphy, Bonnie Yeomans as Deputy Chairman, Fraser Norton carrying on from Nikki Selby as Treasurer and Jane Robinson replacing Zoe Edge as Secretary. The new officers have worked hard to follow in the footsteps of the previous committee and to keep members informed of news and events.
Both the subscribers and Supporters' Club members have benefitted from the technological age we live in by the regular use of emails to convey information as quickly as possible with no printing, postage and stationery costs. If you haven’t already given Jane Robinson your email address, or have changed it, please make sure you put the details on your RENEWAL form. Those who do not have access to email have received ‘snail mail’ mailings when we try to pack as much information in as possible to reduce postage costs of repeated mailings.
The committee’s first ‘event’ was the Boxing Day meet when Bonnie had the idea of a ‘soup kitchen’ sited at the kennels for all foot followers waiting to watch the hedges being jumped. As with most things we were astounded by the response and very quickly sold out of soup, sausage rolls, tea and coffee. FMD willing, make your way there this year for more of the same.
The end of season party with hornblowing competition, karaoke and lasagne supper was a ‘sold out’ event with no tickets available on the night. Again a resounding success.
Lukyns lunch admirably organised by Sarah Dunsden, Sharan Braham and Jane Williams’ superb culinary skills was a beautiful sunny day and true to form was a great fund raiser and a most enjoyable event.
By May/June were getting concerned by the weather – you may remember it rained, continued to rain and just for good measure rained some more. Keith Nickolson, terrier show organiser was getting worried – but – the clouds parted, the sun came out and even Keith was amazed by the sheer number of entrants in the terrier, lurcher and fund dog rings and the team manning the terrier racing just kept on going. Well done Keith on a brilliantly organised day. Bonnie also organised the hound show which ran on the same day with a record number of entries from other hunts, a great occasion for uniting the hunts of neighbouring counties and a good PR event.
This year, after popular demand, saw the revival of the Summer Ball held at the hunt kennels. Jeremy, Janice and Adrian Gumbley along with Lynne Norton organised an awesome evening of champagne reception, delicious lamb roast dinner, cabaret music and disco. Some of you who came along and danced the night away may not have realised just exactly how much ‘unexpected work’ went into the evening. By the Saturday afternoon Jeremy and Lynne were staring at an empty shell of a marquee – no flooring, tables, chairs, no nothing in fact. The marquee company were having difficulties elsewhere and had let them down at the 11th hour. As with all things ‘Surrey Union’ there is always someone who says ‘I know a man who………..’ and stand up Alwyn Kear, members of his family and friends, you were all the saving of the whole ball. Armed with hunt lorry, landrover and trailer, roping in a few more willing hands (one of the perils of living on site I’m afraid hunt staff!) they scuttled off to ‘see someone – somewhere’. They returned with matting, flooring, dance floor, tables, chairs – in fact the entire equipment needed to completely furnish the marquee and promptly and efficiently set about providing the setting that Lynne and Jeremy had envisaged. Tick the box – another successful event which we’re sure will remain as a fixture next year.
September saw the annual Clay Shoot organised as capably as ever by Gary and Bonnie Yeomans. The supporters club held a raffle on the Saturday which was a huge success and by kind sponsorship from Surrey Field Sports Ltd the event made a very respectable amount for hunt funds. There was another clay shoot on the Sunday when the supporters club were asked if they would like to run the refreshments as a fund raising opportunity which we duly did.
Becky Seviour has done sterling work in extending and improving the range of items which can be purchased bearing the SUH logo. Coats, rugby shirts, beanie hats, mugs, car stickers, pens and some delightful postcards bearing the hunt button and notelets depicting our own hounds printed from an original drawing by Simon Canacott commissioned by the supporters club. Merchandise has been a regular income for the supporters club and it is hoped that with Becky’s efforts in increasing the number of items she sells to appeal to a wider audience that it will produce an increase in revenue.
Danny Murphy and Nikki Selby organised our tennis tournament and sadly it fell victim to the weather. However, due to generosity of food sponsors we did have a supper evening that night with the would be players and helpers and still managed to show a profit. Thank you Nikki for hosting a fun evening.
The cricket season seemed to fly past in a flurry of raindrops but the hunt did manage a couple of friendly fixtures, the main one being held at Ewhurst – Hunt vs Gamekeepers. It was a great day, Bonnie did her magic with the barbecue and cricket tea was provided by various people showing their baking skills. As much as the cricket is for fun it is a worthwhile exercise in bringing together the local gamekeepers and hunt and an excellent opportunity to involve some of the younger hunt supporters. We have now purchased some new cricket kit and aim to arrange a few more fixtures next year. Anyone interested in playing, umpiring, scoring or helping in anyway should contact Keith Nickolson.
August can be a quiet month with many people busy with harvest or away on holiday. We toyed with the idea of a picnic/music evening but the weather this summer made us wary and having picked a possible date we were glad not to have gone ahead as it poured continuously. We will be doing something along these lines next year.
Tragically for our farmers and landowners, foot and mouth has struck again and following every advisory detail we find the hounds and the hunt staff frustrated at what should be a busy and exciting time of year usually so full of anticipation of the coming season. The loss of income from collecting fallen stock, subs, cap and a host of other sources cause great concern for the hunt committee and supporters club alike.
More than ever we need you to send in your renewal form for the forthcoming season. Get a friend to join, buy a badge, enclose a donation, take a family membership rather than individual, however small, your help will make the greatest of difference this time.
To fill the void that FMD has created the hunt and supporters committee went into overdrive to make sure the hunting community remains active and united.
Quiz/pre-season bash with bangers & mash
Family afternoon of terrier racing with lamb roast
Christmas cocktail party
We aim to regularly update the SUH website so keep your eye on that and we will of course email any other info as it becomes available. If you receive our emails and know of a member who doesn’t have internet access, print a copy off, drop it through their letterbox, hand it to them, ring them – help the committee to stay in touch with everyone as frequently as possible.
So reminders:
1. Fill in and post back your renewal form today
2. Use the same envelope to book your pre-season bash tickets to make sure you’re not too late and tickets aren’t all sold out
3. Get a friend to sign up the SUHSC
4. Make a date to go to a hunt breakfast to catch up with friends
Finally, we are looking for some new faces to join the committee as some long serving members will be standing down. If you would like to get involved, please read the ‘Wanted’ flyer, fill it in and send it in or give Jane or Bonnie a call.
The Surrey Union Hunt Supporters Committee
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
THURSDAY 6TH DECEMBER
7.30PM FOR 8PM START
OAKWOOD HILL VILLAGE HALL
WINE AND NIBBLES AFTERWARDS
SURREY UNION HUNT LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Registered office: 44 Springfield Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 2PD
Registered in England No. 5226385
27.9.07
LATEST UPDATE
We have a huge amount going on, things in the future to look out for (we will keep you posted as we go along but get these dates in your diary!) and more immediate activities.
We are aiming to have hunt breakfasts with a difference. Sadly no hunting for the immediate future, but a good excuse to all get together on a crisp, bright morning, enjoy the eggs/bacon/sausage, then set off for a hearty walk. Bring your dog, your children, your granny. Provisional dates are 13th October, 26th October and 3rd November. This is also an ideal opportunity for anyone who would like to host a 'meet' but may not necessarily under normal circumstances have the space required for a mounted field. The supporters club have all the plates, glasses, cutlery etc, can usually provide volunteers to help cook, clear etc so contact Bonnie Yeomans on 01306 627210 if you can volunteer - she'll look forward to hearing from you
20th October Quiz and Pre-Season Bash with Bangers & Mash
Sunday 28th October 2pm Terrier Racing and Lamb Roast (to be confirmed)
15th December - *NEW VENUE - NEW FUNCTION* Christmas Cocktail Party - look out for details.
The Masters and Hunt Committee have been busy filling up the diary too and we shall keep you posted on everything that is happening in addition to the following events:
A big thank you to Katharine Meller who has been very busy arranging alternate entertainment for us in our time of need! Read on –
2nd Oct. Pleasure Ride from Albury Cricket Ground at 11am. £10 per person and some money in your pocket as we may stop at some pub or other for a drink on the way. The ride will NOT go on any bridleway thro' farms or past stock in fields.
14th Oct. There will be an escorted ride from the Roman Temple at 11am. As this was our Sponsored Ride day I hope you will come and join us. We will try to take people in groups rather than one large, frightening to other people, group. There will be a barbeque at the end. This will also be £10.
21st October. Linda York & Danny Murphy are organising an Inter Hunt Team Eventers Challenge at Pachesham Equestrian Centre. It will be a team of 3 over a show jumping and cross country course. Get up a team and come and have fun. It will not be big. More information from
The Chidd & Lec are organising an Inter Hunt Quiz - team of 4 - questions on all country matters not just field sports. If you are interested in being on the team get in touch with Sharan Braham. It is at Duncton Village Hall on 12th Oct.
They are also organising a team chase at Pulborough over their famous hedges on 13th October. More information from Patricia Morley - 01730 813190.
HH are organising an Inter Hunt SJ competition. There will be 1 team from each Hunt. This will be held at Medstead on Tuesday, 16th October from 4.30 - 8.30pm. Rebecca Harvie is in charge of our team. So give her ring on 01483 418271 if you are dying to do it email linda@pachesham.com.
Play Movie Mash-up and win BIG prizes!
23.5.07
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
We have some great events coming up, Terrier Show, Summer Ball, Tennis Tournament, and a Pimms evening. Just click on the events tab on the Surrey Union Home page and you will see a list of events with the option to 'Click Here' for more information. If you have any queries please email SUHSC@foxhunters.net
Jane Robinson
Secretary to the Supporters Committee
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4.1.07
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