n WORCESTERSHIRE Gundog Society is holding a special weekend of working tests to raise funds for Save the Children.

The two-day event will be at Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire on June 5-6.

The hunt, point and retrieve tests on the Saturday include puppy, novice and open classes, while the following day is an any variety retriever working test heat, with the standard up to a good novice test.

Winners will go forward to the finals, which are being held at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, in July.

The grounds surrounding Sudeley Castle are ideal for both sets of tests.

All the money from both events is being donated to Save the Children.

For more details contact Catherine Sellin on 01386 710177 or Ann Colley on 01386 870760.

'Tis the season to be recycling cards

THE Woodland Trust's seventh annual Christmas Card Recycling Scheme has proved an outstanding success with 43.5 million cards recycled.

The UK's leading woodland conservation charity has revealed that, over the last seven years of the scheme, enough cards have been collected and recycled to reach around the globe.

Launched in January by model Nell McAndrew, the scheme, which ran in WH Smith and Tesco stores across the country, seems to have found favour with the public, whose efforts resulted in an impressive seven per cent increase in the tonnage of cards collected.

It is estimated that this year's scheme has helped save nearly 15,000 trees.

The results were announced by Environment Minister Elliot Morley at a special event at Defra head offices in Westminster.

"Last year's campaign helped to spare 13,600 trees, so I'm absolutely delighted that this year's scheme has been even more successful," said Mr Morley.

Hilary Allison, Woodland Trust policy director, said: "The Christmas Card Recycling Scheme is a very simple way of engaging everyone with environmental action.

"At a time when the UK Sustainable Development Strategy is being reviewed, this scheme is an excellent example of reduction in waste, energy consumption and environmental improvement action at individual, corporate and Government levels.

"We rely totally on the support of the UK public to make this scheme a success, so it is fantastic to be able to report yet another increase.

"Since the scheme was launched, nearly a quarter of a billion cards have been recycled."

Looking ahead to 2005, next year's campaign has already received the backing of current partners WHSmith and Tesco, while WRAP, the Waste and Resources Action Programme, has also pledged its support.

Nottinghamshire County Council, on behalf of the National Association of Waste Disposal Officers, administers the support from local authorities, and SCA Recycling and Severnside Recycling collect the cards.

Backing

for stock

moves

THE National Farmers' Union has backed the new national fallen stock scheme and says it is pleased with the approach taken by the National Fallen Stock Company.

The NFU is urging the company - and Defra - to go ahead with the tendering of contracts for collection and disposal operators.

It is essential, says the union, that the scheme meets the previous deadline set down by Defra and is up and running by this autumn.

NFU president Tim Bennett said: "The National Fallen Stock Company has presented a fairer and more equitable scheme for the entire livestock industry.

"All the organisations involved must now ensure that the scheme is up and running as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Hilary's

passport

to export

alpacas

A WORCESTERSHIRE alpaca breeder has moved beyond the domestic market, one year after joining the Passport to Export programme at UK Trade and Investment.

For the first time Zarza Alpacas is supplying seven alpacas, worth £15,000, to Ireland.

Alpacas are valued for their fine fleece.

Hilary Shenton, of Redwood Barn, Tenbury Wells, established Zarza Alpacas four years ago, having spent a year researching the species and farming methods.

She believes what makes her company distinctive is its holistic approach to alpaca breeding.

"We visit our buyers' estates before the delivery of their alpacas and advise them on land preparation, feeding and herd management," she said.

Breeding

"We also offer training courses to inexperienced buyers to teach them how to look after their alpacas and how to develop their breeding business."

Over the last year, Ms Shenton worked closely with the team at UK Trade and Investment in identifying potential markets.

Under the Passport to Export programme, the company has received funding and advice to set up a website, produce corporate literature and essentially, to exhibit in key trade shows such as the Royal Show at Stoneleigh.

"The programme has opened my mind to new opportunities and shown me how easy it is to get on course to export.

"For example, I received an enquiry from Norway a while ago and the UK Trade and Investment's translation service assisted with the language, enabling me to respond to it quickly.

The alpacas market is certainly growing and selling to Ireland is a good start. I am hoping our new buyer in Ireland will spread the word so we can appoint a local agent in the near future. Things are also looking good in France - we are expecting an order from a buyer there shortly," added Ms Shenton.