Call to take part in the country triathlon challenge for charity

The ‘Have a Go’ Country Sports Challenge will mainly involve competitions in rifle range, clay shooting and fly casting, but there are other options.

Individuals can opt out of any of these events and try their hand, instead, at pigeon plucking, fly tying or something called the deer challenge, which the organisers do not want to say any more about.

Helen Benson, FCN Yorkshire co-ordinator, said this week: “All will be explained on the day. It is not something you need to train for. In fact, all the events are aimed at people who are just up for having a go, rather than those who practice them week in, week out, and there will be some coaching available on the day.”

The venue for the event, on Saturday June 4, will be the fishing lake on the Tanfield Estate, West Tanfield, on the River Ure, near Ripon, courtesy of owner Christopher Bourne-Arton, a former president of the Yorkshire Branch of the CLA and of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

Sponsors are surveyors, planners and property agents George F White, who will be entering a team from their Bedale office. Teams will be made up of three people. Entry to the event will cost £20 a head. The prizes are hampers filled with local produce.

The chairman of FCN Yorkshire, Howard Petch, former principal of Bishop Burton College, said: “Farming in Yorkshire can be rewarding but there are also problems, often associated with increased costs, single farm payment, and low incomes. The funds from the Country Challenge will be invaluable in helping us to continue providing help.”

FCN is a network of groups of volunteers from the farming community and rural churches who provide practical and pastoral support for over a thousand families each year. It was set up in response to a period of crisis including flooding, Bluetongue, Avian Flu and outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease.

Kevin Guy, a partner at George F. White, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the first FCN sporting event in Yorkshire.”

Entries must be registered by June 1. Contact Helen Benson on 01677 470180 or email [email protected]/*