BRIEFLY
BRIEFLY
* "HOW much excitement can you handle?" Cumbria Country Link group asks fellow members from across the country.
Cumbria members are hosting the next Country Link national weekend get-together for this social club run by and for people over the age of 26 who live and work in the countryside. Accommodation has been booked at the Swallow Hilltop Hotel, Carlisle for the nights of Fri, Oct 31 and Sat, Nov 2. Cost is £110/person and fun gets underway on Friday with Roman revelry. There is a choice of visits on Saturday and Sunday, music and dancing each night and an opportunity to stay for a further night. Members should book without delay to Brenda Hebson, 30 Townhead Road, Cotehill, Carlisle, Cumbria CA4 ODF (01228-561085).
• Country Link inquiries to the national organiser, Vicky Hutton 16, Renals Way, Calverton, Notts NG14 6PH (0115-965-5928).
* CLIPPINGS of the common English Yew (Taxus baccata) are being used to help fight ovarian and breast cancer.
A Dutch horticultural company, Boot & Co, is organising the collection of yew clippings through much of Europe and will arrange to collect quantities of 500kg or more, paying between 30p and 40p a kilo. Those with hedges more than 100m long can have them cut free in exchange for the cuttings. Details from Philip Swindells Associates (01423-864884, fax 01423-864861).
* DISPLAYS, demonstrations, trade stands, competitions… the British Equine Event (Nov 1 & 2, 10am-4.30pm) has a packed programme of activities – something for everyone with an interest in horses or ponies, in fact.
Blyth Tait and Jennie Loriston-Clarke are among the stars who will perform. You can get back to basics with stable skills demonstrations, discover more about riding a racehorse, watch the Hackney horse and pony championships or a stunning display of vaulting.
The event is organised by the RASE and will be held at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwicks. Inquiries (01203-696969).