Welcome to The Vale of Aylesbury Hunt Supporters’ Club website.
The Supporters’ Club organises events, sells merchandise and so on to raise funds for the Kimblewick Hunt. Please use the links to the right to find out more about us and what we’re doing.
12/12/10
Closure of this site
In line with the renaming of the Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and South Berks Hunt as the Kimblewick Hunt, and the subsequent re-organisation of the hunt supporters’ clubs, from the new year this website will be forwarded to the Supporters’ Club page of the main Kimblewick Hunt website. Rest assured, the same dedicated people will be organising events, just under a different banner.
12/7/10
VAHSC Horse Show
Our first horse show was a success. Thank you to everyone who took part, and everyone who helped on the day and in the run up. Photos from the show will be available shortly at www.evespics.co.uk.
We were helped enormously by the Haddenham Horse Show team, and we’ll be returning the favour, so if you enjoyed our show, please come back and do it all again on September 5th at the Haddenham Horse Show.
19/6/10
Pimm’s Evening cancelled
Sadly we've had to cancel the Pimm’s Evening as we didn't have enough advance bookings to cover the cost of the venue. It's a great shame, as it looked like being a great summer event. Tickets will be refunded asap.
13/6/10
Online booking
Online booking for the Horse Show is available now on the Events page.
31/5/10
Family Horse Show
The full schedule and entry form for the first VAHSC family horse show (July 11th in Haddenham) are now available on the Events page. Online entry will also be enabled shortly.
15/5/10
Classic Pimm’s Evening and dinner dance
We’re now taking bookings for the first VAHSC Classic Pimm’s Evening at Moor Hall, Cookham in July.
1/5/10
Marsh Big Barn Bash
We could have done with a few more people, but Alvin worked the crowd a treat last night, and after he’d left the building, much dancing was done until late to support band Streetlife. Pictures from the night are on the Photos page.
27/4/10 Note change of venue
Although it completely ruins the alliteration, the Big Barn Bash is now being held at Marsh Hill Farm, Marsh (HP17 8ST), the intended barn in Bishopstone sadly being still full of corn. Marsh is less than 10 minutes drive from Bishopstone.
On the 30th April local legend Alvin brings his acclaimed Elvis tribute show to Marsh Hill Farm, Marsh. Alvin’s show tours nationally, and he regularly sells out the Civic Centre in Aylesbury - come and see him on your doorstep.
21/3/10
Last night’s inaugural Terrierman’s Ball was, we think, a great success. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen, and to everyone who attended and made it such a great night, and helped us raise some money for the Hunt.
Photos from the Ball are online to buy now: click here to see them. All profits from the sale of photos also go to the Hunt, so indulge yourselves!
13/3/10
The Terrierman’s Ball is now sold out
There are very few tickets left for the Terrierman’s Ball - if you’d like to come, book here now. Payment guarantees places. Click here for more details, and to book.
3/2/10
March 20th, The Harrow, Bishopstone, Black tie
We’re now taking bookings for the Terrierman’s Ball online by credit/debit card and PayPal. It’s going to be a great night and not only do we have one of our Masters spinning the tunes, rumour has it that our old friend the huntsman from the VWH is making the journey.
Tickets are limited, so if you want to secure places, don’t delay. Click on the Events link to the right for more details, and to book.
12/11/09
Horn blowing at the Prince of Wales
Small pub, many people, much merriment was had. The serious horn-blowing competition was won by Val Knight, the less serious horn-blowing by former Hunt Secretary Clive Gough, and the holloa-ing by Ria Lacovara. Thank you to everyone who came and took part, and especially to those from the farther corners of the Hunt country.
10/11/09
VAGSBH Calendar 2010 available for online purchase now
We’ve just enabled online purchasing (via Paypal or credit/debit card) for the 2010 Hunt calendar, featuring photographs by Yvonne Parkinson of evespics.co.uk (Yvonne has a full page picture in this week’s Horse and Hound, from the Garth country opening meet at Ipsden), Greg Knight of Ruralshots.com and John Bell. Click here to buy.
7/11/09
Online purchasing enabled
Moving into the modern world, we’re now able to accept secure payments online, either by PayPal or debit/credit card, for VAHSC merchandise. It’ll take a while to set up online payment for every item on the merchandise page, but our first item is available to buy online now. Click here to order our lovely large format Christmas cards online.
24/10/09
Inter-hunt quiz night
Following on the heels of the Farmers’ Supper, the Inter-hunt quiz night took place on Friday at Haddenham village hall. We had a wonderful turnout from all corners of the hunt country, and 14 teams rose to the challenges set by quiz master Roger Goodchild.
The John Brazil Memorial Cup went once again to the South Oxfordshire Hunt Club, and the prize for non-hunt teams went to the Ever Hopefuls.
Hunt competition:
1st, SOHC
2nd, Old Berkeley Hunt Club
3rd, Garth Rangers on Tour
Non-hunt competition:
1st, Ever Hopefuls
2nd, Gay Liberation Society (!)
3rd, Wendover Wizards
Thank you once again to all the stalwart helpers who kept the evening running smoothly, and to everyone who attended (especially all the people who made the journey from the far south of the country) - it was a great night, roll on next year.
24/10/09
Farmers’ Supper
Thursday night saw the South Oxfordshire Hunt Club and VAHSC Farmers’ Supper at Round Hill. We’d like to thank Mr Portwin for the use of his luxurious barn, and all of the many people from the SOHC, VAHSC and beyond who worked so hard to make the evening a success. More importantly, thank you to all of the farmers and land owners who allow us to hunt over their land - the Farmers’ Supper is a small token of our enormous gratitude to you all, and we hope you enjoyed the evening.
22/10/09
Quiz night, Friday 23rd October
Just a reminder that this Friday, 23rd, is the Inter-hunt quiz at Haddenham village hall, with Roger Goodchild as quiz master. £10 per person, teams of four (but we’ll make up teams if necessary), with prizes for the winning Hunt and non-hunt teams, and of course the Inter-hunt trophy, currently held by the South Oxfordshire.
7.30pm for 8pm start, with supper and pudding in the interval.
29/9/09
Christmas cards
We’ve just launched a new set of Christmas cards, featuring six photos by Greg Knight of Ruralshots and Yvonne Parkinson of Eve’s Pics. The cards are big (about A5), with no message so if you don’t use them all up at Christmas they’re useful the rest of the year. Packs of six with envelopes for £9 - see the merchandise page for ordering details.
28/8/09
Country show dates
The Supporters’ Club will be at the following shows
Henley Show, 12th September
Thame Show, 17th September
Newbury Show, 20th September
Silver Fox Challenge, 27th September
flying the flag for the Hunt and selling merchandise including the 2010 Hunt calendar, hot off the press, and the new Supporters’ Club Christmas cards.
22/8/09
New events listed
See the events page for horn-blowing at the Prince of Wales, a race night and this year’s Inter-hunt quiz. With Roger Goodchild as quiz master, this will be a great night with the South Oxfordshire fighting to keep the trophy.
3/7/09
Terrier and lurcher show
Storms were threatened, but the sun shone on the terrier and lurcher show last Saturday at the Stables, and everyone who attended had a good day.
The terrier racing at the end of the day was even more surreal than usual, with Ivor Gomm’s lurcher Rosie taking a surprise (but unsurprising) victory in one race, and Kate Robinson’s terrier Brian taking not only the overall victory (again), but also a large chunk out of huntsman Gerald Sumner’s t-shirt...
Photos courtesy of Greg Knight at Ruralshots. Many more of Greg’s pictures from the show can be seen at www.ruralshots.com, and there are a few other pictures here.
13/5/09
Bishopstone May 2nd
The weather was perfect, the cider flowed, the hog was roasted, people travelled from as far afield as Somerset and London, and The Wurzels kicked up a storm.
’Don’t look back in anger‘ in a West Country style took me by surprise, as did a Eurodisco ’Combine Harvester‘, but the modern twists only added to the rural charm, and much dancing was done.
If you weren’t there, you missed out.
Photos courtesy of Yvonne Parkinson, more at Eve’s Pics.
Thank you very much indeed to the many people who gave generously in time and materials, and helped arrange, set up, run, dismantle and tidy up afterwards; to Roger Goodchild for loaning us the excellent venue, and Polly Goodchild for the wonderful hog roast; and especially to Nyree for organising the event.
11/4/09
Kimble point to point
Despite the drizzle, there was a good crowd to watch the six races and two pony races.
The winning numbers for the raffles are as follows
Champagne: first 1313, second 2628, third 2685
Whisky: first 1229, second 2973, third 1423
28/3/09
Hunt Cabaret
Sadly the cabaret has been cancelled due to lack of support.
25/1/09
I am a cider drinker...
Make a date in your Hunt calendars for May 2nd, because The Wurzels are coming to Bishopstone!
It’ll be a night to remember, cider permitting. More details on the Events page.
Photo courtesy of www.thewurzels.com
28/9/08
Silver Fox Challenge
The VAGSB Hunt put forward four teams for the Silver Fox knockout relay challenge. Although the teams didn’t finish in the medals, the riding was nailbiting. Greg Knight of Ruralshots.com has pictures of our teams in action, and some wonderful pictures of the birds of prey at the show. Click here to see them. If you’ve never been to the Silver Fox, keep an eye out for it next year - it’s well worth seeing.
The Supporters’ Club did rapid trade in the new sleeveless fleece with embroidered Hunt logo (modelled by Nyree below), almost selling out on the day. See the merchandise page for more details.
14/9/08
Henley show
Our hounds and the Supporters’ Club stand were at yesterday’s show. After a quiet start, the sun came out at about 11.30 followed by the crowds (see below). For those of you interested in giant vegatables and the like, some other pictures from the show are here.
It’s Thame show on Thursday 18th, and the hounds and Supporters’ Club will be there too, so please come and support your Hunt.
14/9/08
Summer photo competition results
A little later than planned, the VAHSC summer photo competition was judged at the hound racing last weekend. Thank very much you to everyone who entered. Class winners were as follows:
Dogs
Action: Lesley Sunderland - (Sky) Job done!
General: Hannah Vowles - Doulton 08
Fun: Lesley Sunderland - Jug, Tag and Tor
Category Winner: Hannah Vowles - Doulton 08
Horses
Action: Lesley Sunderland - 8 in hand
Fun: Hannah Vowles - Bath Time
Category Winner: Lesley Sunderland - 8 in hand
Other
Action: Lesley Sunderland - Bee on lavender
General: Rosie Thornton - Hunt
Fun: Lesley Sunderland - Tom & Jack
Category Winner: Rosie Thornton - Hunt
Overall winner
Lesley Sunderland - 8 in hand
13/9/08
Hound Racing results
KS Waddington Horse Transport young dog hounds race
1 Magnum ’08; 2 Puffin ’08; 3 Bushman ’08; 4 Buckshot ’08; 5 Playboy ’08; Daystar ’08 did not finish
Nolan Best young bitch hounds race
1 Maple ’08; 2 Budget ’08; 3 Daydream ’08; 4 Plover ’08; 5 Daylight ’08; Beamer ’08 did not finish
PJ Sparks dog hounds race
1 Pheasant ’04; 2 Holster ’07; 3 Phoenix ’04; 4 Gameboy ’07; 5 Buckle ’05; 6 Galway ’07
Vale of Aylesbury Sponsored Ride bitch hounds race
1 Dorset ’05; 2 Brindle ’07; 3 Hornet ’07; 4 Gretel ’06; 5 Salad ’06; 6 Niggle ’04
Mr and Mrs G Munn veteran hounds race
1 Gambler ’03; 2 Piper ’02; 3 Breezy ’02; 4 Esther ’99; 5 Winslow (late entry); 6 Dettol ’02
Oxfordshire Computer Networks mixed pack race
1 Mayfly ’04; 2 Bother ’05; 3 Necklace ’05; 4 Merlin ’04; 5 Magpie ’04; 6 Bridle ’05
Majid Mohammadi grand final
1 Pheasant ’04; 2 Mayfly ’05; 3 Dorset ’05; 4 Magnum ’08; 5 Maple ’08 6 Gambler ’03
7/9/08
Hound Racing today
The weather wasn’t especially kind today, so the going was soft to wet, but for the most part the rain held off, and the entertainment value was high.
A huge thank you from the Supporters’ Club to everyone who helped make the day a success: Lesley Jackson, our principal sponsor; Geoff and both Sues for manning the barbecue; Bron on the merchandise stall; Gerald, Edward, Mark, Nigel and friends for marshalling the hounds; Kate Robertson for the use of the stables and for the feather duster (you had to be there); Steve Foster in the hound’s changing room (!); Kate Waddington for providing hound numbers and for endless running on the day; starter and auctioneer Nolan Best; Sarah, Roger and team running the Tote all day; and everyone else who helped out - you know who are, and we couldn’t do it without you.
But most importantly, thank you to everyone who sponsored a race, or a hound, or braved the weather and bought a race card and a burger - we couldn’t do it without you either, and you helped us raise a wonderful £1300 for the Hunt.
Full results will follow shortly.
As you can see, some very odd things happened... (more photos from the day are here)
1/9/08
Hound Racing at the kennels
Last year’s hound racing was a great day out for the whole family, as well as learning experience for everyone concerned (who knew that Joe Hill could outsprint our hounds?), so we’re doing it again this coming Sunday, September 7th. Please join us for seven wildly unpredictable races (first race 1.30pm) with Tote, bar, hot drinks and indoor barbecue, and hopefully (bring your own dog) family dog racing afterwards. And it’s free.
26/8/08
County Shows
The county show season is upon us, and the Supporters’ Club will have a stand at Bucks County (28/8), Henley (13/9) and Thame (18/9) shows, so please stop by and say hello.
29/6/08
Yesterday’s Hunt Open Day
The weather was kind, attendance was high, and a good time was had by all. Many many thanks to all the people who helped us make the day run smoothly, from car parking and cooking to raffle ticket selling and cake baking. Click here and here for photos.
11/6/08
Sponsor a Hound
The 2008-9 hound catalogue is now online. As last year, all proceeds from the Sponsor a Hound initiative go directly to the welfare of our hounds, so please be generous! Click here for details.
24/5/08
Amateur photo competition announced
We’d love to see your best photos, of hunting or otherwise. Generous prizes, cheap entry, and winning entries will be exhibited here, in the the Hunt magazine and at the Hound Racing day at the Hunt kennels in September. So what are you waiting for?
Click here to download the rules and an entry form.
25/4/08
VAHSC AGM
As well as all the usual AGM stuff, the new Hunt merchandise was launched, and the VAHSC website announced.