A CHEQUE for £500 has been presented to the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) following a successful fund-raising effort by the Tiverton Foxhounds (TFH) and the Dulverton Farmers Hunt (DFH).

The presentation took place at the Tiverton Foxhounds meet at Molland Moor Gate, in the Dulverton Farmers’ country, to which the Dulverton Farmers Hunt were invited.

The £500 was raised through a whisky and port raffle ticket draw held at Artie Biles’ 80th birthday meet at the Rackenford Club, and despite a cold, frosty day, spirits remained high with about 250 supporters attending on the day in a tremendous show of support for both hunts.

The Injured Jockeys Fund was chosen as the beneficiary charity for personal reasons.

Artie and Angie’s daughter, Debbie Attril, an avid supporter of the Tiverton Foxhounds, suffered a serious racing accident in March, 2000, and was told she would never walk again.

With the support of the local community, the Injured Jockeys Fund, and her own remarkable determination, Debbie got out of her wheelchair and back into the saddle and riding again, and after a few years was following hounds on her horse.

Debbie is now regularly seen at the front of the field and is often the last to leave at the end of the day, a true testament to resilience and community support.

Demonstrating her continued commitment to the IJF, Debbie also took part in an extraordinary 1,000-mile cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats, only seven years after her accident, completing it in just 11 days and raising £12,000 for the charity.

Tiverton Foxhounds senior joint master Kelvin Thomas said: “We have enormous respect for the work carried out by the Injured Jockeys Fund and when somebody is injured, the charity is there to provide invaluable support at the most difficult of times.

“This was a cause very close to our hearts, and we are incredibly grateful to everybody who supported the draw and attended the meet despite the weather.

“This fund-raising effort reflects the strength of the local community and the enduring spirit of support within the countryside.”

The money raised will go toward the general running of the Injured Jockeys Fund and help provide vital support to those injured in racing.

Both hunts have continued their charitable efforts throughout the season.

The Tiverton Foxhounds has also raised funds for breast cancer support through a charity auction, while the Dulverton Farmers Hunt has supported the Devon Air Ambulance and its local church.

Members of the British Hound Sports Association, the Tiverton Foxhounds, and Dulverton Farmers Hunt practice trail hunting, where the hounds follow a pre-laid trail, in compliance with the Hunting Act 2004.

Members of the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) sign up to a code of conduct and uphold the highest standards of welfare for the horses and hounds involved in the sport.

Every year, the trail hunting community raises tens of thousands of pounds for charitable causes throughout the country.

THE renowned Devon-based folk singer-song writer and musician Jim Causley entertained a packed house at Minehead Conservation Society’s meeting on March 5.

He talked about the fascinating life of Sabine Baring Gould, who lived in Lewtrenchard House and was priest of the parish, having granted himself the living, as was the right of the Lord of the Manor.

He, too, was a collector of folk songs but probably best known for his hymn ‘Onward Christian soldiers’ and carol ‘The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came’.

He was an antiquarian, novelist of numerous books about Devon characters and places and ghost stories, a hagiographer, composer, and eclectic scholar.

Sabine fell in love with a 15-year-old mill worker called Grace when he was 26, to the disapproval of his family - as she was so far below his social status.

However, he was determined to marry her, so Grace was sent away for three years to be taught the ways of the upper classes.

They married and lived happily ever after.

Sabine died just short of his 90th birthday in 1924.

Jim interspersed his talk by singing folk songs, some of which were unaccompanied.

Predictably, two were about cider.

One very clever song included the name of 44 different trades, each one in a different Westcountry town or village.

The audience learned about the history of folk song accompaniment and how other later collectors of songs, such as Cecil Sharp, acquired them.

Jim, who studied folk music and song at Newcastle University, delivered his talk with humour and his songs with panache to make a very enjoyable afternoon.

The society’s next talk at 7.30 pm on April 29 in the town’s United Reform Church Hall is by Richard Cooper-Knight, a writer, keen genealogist, and researcher, is called ‘Death and Service’ about the Commonwealth War Graves of Somerset.

Richard will tell members about churchyards and cemeteries he has visited and the lives of some of those buried there.

Minehead has its own Commonwealth War Grave.

THE monthly Amble not Ramble meeting is on Wednesday (March 18) at 10.30 am in Carhampton Village hall carpark, which is along the high street and turn left where it is signposted.

It is a wheelchair friendly route on which walkers can see white violet as well as purple ones, campion, herb robert, primroses, celandine, and maybe even the gorgeous white flower that is stichwort, will be out.

The group can guarantee a green lane, with catkins, old man’s beard, and blossom, with bird song of robins, blackbirds, maybe a thrush and a greenfinch.

Amble not Ramble is a walking group specially designed for people with dementia, lack of mobility, and/or just loss of confidence, or, indeed, anybody who enjoys a relaxed pace when walking.

The walk will be a maximum of one hour.

They are a very friendly group and always end the walk with tea and coffee.

Amble not Ramble walks are run by Minehead Dementia Action, which aims to help people and their carers live well with dementia.

It asks that vulnerable adults aree accompanied by a carer.

More information and directions to the start can be obtained by calling Emily on 01643 821756 or emailing to [email protected].

People can just turn up, and the group walks whatever the weather.

VOLUNTEERS are being sought by the charity Somerset Sight to work one-to-one with sight impaired people in West Somerset and Exmoor.

The charity’s befriending service volunteers visit regularly to provide companionship and support to people with sight impairment.

It offers full training and support, and can pay all reasonable out of pocket expenses, including mileage.

Anybody who would like to know more about joining Somerset Sight’s friendly team should contact the charity by calling 01823 333818 or emailing to [email protected].

OVER the past 12 years, the Exmoor Hill Farming Network (EHFN) has become a well-respected and trusted hub for Exmoor’s farming community.

The network has relied heavily on core grant funding from a variety of sources to deliver a wide range of support, including knowledge exchange events, project work, training, peer-to-peer learning, and maintaining a dedicated office base at Cutcombe Market.

It is currently supporting 475 farming businesses across Greater Exmoor, with 740 individual contacts on its database.

During 2025, this funding reduced significantly, and while there are currently reserves in place, the board is reviewing its model to ensure it remains viable, retains staff capacity, and secures a sustainable future for the network.

EHFN will continue to seek core funding from other sources such as Government, trusts, and foundations, along with project funding similar to that with which it has been previously involved, such as the Farm Resilience Programme, Exmoor Deer Surveillance, or Sheep Scab projects. However, to underpin these its is in the early stages of developing a contributory style approach and would value members’ input as it is rolled out.

After careful consideration, EHFN is looking to increase the contribution for peer support groups from £5 to £10 per person.

The payment can be made either at each individual event or through an annual contribution with an invoice. whichever suits.

The £5 rate has remained unchanged since 2016, and the adjustment reflects the rising costs involved in delivering and supporting the meetings.

There will also continue to be free events laid on when they are supported through other means such as sponsorship or project funding.

The level of annual contribution under consideration would be £100 for one person from a farm business or £180 for a family option.

The family option would allow any two people working in that business to attend an individual event with any additional people charged at £10.

An EHFN spokesperson said: “We think that this offers very good value for those who regularly participate.

“We feel strongly that our events remain open to all and our newsletter remains free to ensure nobody is disadvantaged and that the network continues to be inclusive and accessible.”