Dorset

Charity Countryside Challenge 2010

September 2010

Calling all sports enthusiasts – Interested in running? Cycling? Add kayaking and tasks of skill and ingenuity to the mix and you have all the ingredients for a fabulous, fun packed weekend.

This is what our first-ever Countryside Challenge is all about.

The setting is the stunning Sherborne Castle Estate and surrounding Dorset countryside. Starting on Friday evening, 10th September, as part of a team you will compete in a variety of activities, all with a rural theme. Teams will consist of 2-4 members – family, friends or colleagues working together to go to the top of the leader board. The highest two scores will count, so planning strategies will be a key feature.

From the moment you arrive until the prize giving on Sunday afternoon, everything you need to make this a memorable weekend will be provided – bikes, kayaks, tents, refreshments, full safety back-up – all you need to do is prepare physically (by following our training programme) and raise the funds needed to cover your weekend costs. Included in this is a donation to RABI that will go towards helping a farming family who desperately needs our support.

With the right preparation, anyone with reasonable ability should be able to compete. For a challenge pack contact fundraising, marketing & communications by phoning 01865 724931 or email hayley.paintin@rabi.org.uk or download a PDF HERE and a registration form HERE.

          

Event Itinerary

The challenge includes:

• Mountain biking
• Wild cross country run
• Kayaking
• Countryside games
• Mini team tests
• Camping
• Orienteering

Friday

1700hrs onwards Teams arrive at Sherborne Castle. Tents will already be erected in camp and tea and coffee will be served for your arrival. The event camp will be in a tranquil setting beside the river, with loos, showers, a central event marquee for dining and a bar.
1900 Mini team challenge: Country ID Test. To start the event off gently, your team will be tested on a short team challenge in the event marquee, followed by event introduction and dinner.
1930 Introductions, event briefing, scores update. You will be introduced to the other teams taking part, the event crew and will be fully briefed on what to expect in the coming two days.
2000 Dinner. Evening meals will be a two course hearty meal catering for all dietary needs. A pay bar will also be provided. You can then settle into your two person tents for a good night’s sleep.

Saturday

0630 Breakfast, served in the event marquee.
0800 Bike photo hunt: 30 mile bike ride through the rolling surrounding countryside. Along the way teams will be searching out photo sites of a variety of countryside subjects, such as identifying plants, scenes and other country related snaps.
1200 Lunch.
1330 Countryside Games Part 1. Welly Throwing
Landrover Pulling
Tyre Rolling
1500 Cross country run 5 miles: A straight forward cross country run through the estate to include woods, rivers, mud etc., with a few added obstacles. You will be timed as a team so supporting each other will be crucial.
1700 Free time to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
1900 Dinner.
1930 Briefing, scores update, guest speaker. All in the event marquee.

Sunday

0700 Breakfast, served in the event marquee.
0800 Orienteering (teams will swap over mid-way)
Kayak (on Lake): A 2 hour challenge of orienteering navigation on one and two person kayaks (provided) on and around the castle lake. This peaceful lake, set in the shadow of the castle, has many hidden corners. Along the shores and on the lake itself will be a series of orienteering points, some harder to find than others, some worth more points than others. Full safety brief, equipment and supervision will be provided.
Orienteering on foot: Set off into the beautiful countryside surrounding the castle to find the orienteering points hidden far and wide. Unravel the most complex clues to gain the highest points.
Score as many points as you can in the time allowed.
1200 Countryside Games Part 2: Sprint Bale Hurdle
Stone Throwing
Log Sawing
1400 Lunch, final scores and prize giving. A buffet lunch will be set for the final presentations and results.
1500 Depart.

Provided on the Challenge
• Bike hire (pre book)
• Kayak and equipment
• Event handbook
• Two person tents
• Breakfast, lunch and evening meals
• Loos, showers
• Secure parking
• Full safety back up and equipment

Sturminster Newton YFC Calendar

April 2009

In calendar terms, it seems that the less you have on the more you make. Following the success of Sturminster Newton YFC's "risque" calendar the club have donated £700 to RABI with a further £700 going to the Robert Alner Trust, a local charity supporting a paralysed race-horse trainer.

St Georges Day Dinner

April 2009

122 guests attended the St George's Day dinner in the beautiful surroundings of C17th Melbury House, Dorset, home of Mr James and the Hon. Charlotte Townshend. Diners were seated in the magnificent Library, and were treated to a sumptuos three course meal made of local Dorset produce, including some of the Ilchester Estates own venison. After dinner the guests were treated to a wonderfully witty and entertaining speech by the Hon Nicholas Somes, MP, who is a great supporter of the countryside and farming.

The evening was rounded off with an auction of promises, which range from holiday cottages in Cornwall to a box for the day at Wincanton Racecourse. The auction made £4,200, and the event overall has made about £6,000 for RABI in Dorset.

Tel: 01285 712440 Mobile: 07860 507980 Email: suzie.paton@rabi.org.uk