‘We Are England’ Photography Competition

Commonwealth Games England have launched the photography competition aimed at finding the ultimate photographs that best represent England in all of its glory.  The competition is to celebrate everything about England and ‘Englishness’ and the winners will be exhibited at a top London Art Gallery.

Photographs can be of anything at all that represents England – from a historic English landmark, to a traditional English game taking place in a park, or even photographs taken live at an English sporting event. All it needs to do is encompass the spirit of England to those entering.

Claire Jones, Senior Marketing Officer at Shropshire Tourism said, “This is a good opportunity for people in Shropshire to show what the county means to them, and to raise the profile of Shropshire in a nationwide competition. There are some amazing prizes on offer, including lunch hosted by double Olympic Gold Medallist Dame Kelly Holmes and Centre Court Wimbledon tickets.”

The ‘We Are England’ competition coincides with St. George’s day, and winners will also be invited to attend a champagne breakfast at the launch of the exhibition at the SW1 Gallery on Wednesday, April 21^st, and will be joined by some of the top Commonwealth Games England athletes and representatives. The exhibition of the winning photographs will run until Sunday, April 25^th. Entrance will be free of charge to the public.

The competition will be split into three categories - a professional photographer category, an amateur photographer category for the 16 and under age group, and an amateur photographer category for the 17 and over age group. Entries are to be emailed to weareengland@threepipe.co.uk, and although there should only be one photograph per email, there is no limit to the number of entries that can be submitted. The deadline is 9^th April. For full terms and conditions visit www.weareengland.org

Oswestry Riding Club is looking for new members

The club is open to anyone aged 15 or over (members between 15 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Members meet for lessons, competitions, and hacks in the neighbouring countryside and organise talks and demonstrations by horse professionals.

The atmosphere is extremely friendly; with the Club catering for all levels, including the nervous; and members regularly meet for social events at local venues. See Calendar for ORC Diary Dates at http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Oswestryridingclub/
At only £25 (riding), £18 (non-riding) annual membership (plus a one-off joining fee of £5) pa, if is such good value for money.

Even the 'happy hacker' has a place in Oswestry Riding Club, as we do many hacks, and social rides for those who do not wish to do more. Giving you the pleasure to have horsey-friends within the Club to ride with on your hack, rather than hacking alone! Plus the added advantage of little-cost to yourself (approx £2 per hack), as opposed to the £15 charge of going to, say, a Fun Ride!

Those without trailers or boxes, also have opportunities to take place within the Club activities, as we try to make our venues 'hackable' to many riders/members.

As recent winners of the BT Community Champions Award 2008, we are looking for new members to join the Club, who will benefit this monetary award recently achieved by the Club.

ORC ensures everyone feels at home with the ORC, no matter what they wish to do. We have many sympathetic instructors and events, so come along and ENJOY!! I guarantee you'll make lots of friends, and, if needed, boost your confidence at the same time.

COME ON HAVE SOME FUN..
Please ring our Chairman - Sue on 01691 610294, or Vice-Chairman on 01691
670722 for more details.

Horses Welcome Acreditation Scheme

The Riding in Shropshire website will shortly be updated to reflect the new Horses Welcome accreditation undertaken by the British Horse Society. This scheme also provides you with affordable insurance as part of the accreditation.

Shropshire has a countywide policy of only promoting inspected properties on its 'official' tourism marketing and local authority websites. These are accommodation providers that are inspected by a recognised national inspection body such as Visit Britain or the AA which ensures that as a county we offer our visitors a high standard of quality accommodation.

The Horses Welcome scheme ensures that visitors to the Riding in Shropshire website will be able to select accommodation that not only meets their needs, but also those of their horses. Principally the requirements are good quality overnight stabling.

If you are an accommodation provider that holds a current inspection for your property and you would like to feature on the Riding in Shropshire website in the future, you will also need to also hold a Horses Welcome accreditation.

You can download a Horses Welcome scheme (Operated by the British Horses Society) application form by clicking the link below. The form contains information about the scheme including the cost.

Download Horses Welcome Application Form

Please download and save the form on your computer, complete it electronically and attach it to an email to Tony Felgate at the British Horse Society. T.Felgate@bhs.org.uk