Hunting days and a trip to the horseraces up for auction

A day’s hunting for two with the Belvoir, a day at Southwell races and a polo lesson at the Vale of York Polo Club are just some of the items up for auction by the Union of Country Sports Workers.

Union of Country Sports Workers (UCSW) has launched an online Autumn Sporting Auction to raise money for Help for Heroes, and for the union to continue its valuable work.

The online auction offers an array of accessories, books and days-out ideal for any country aficionado. As well as equestrian-themed lots, there is a visit to the European Parliament, a mole-catching course and an introductory lesson to falconry.

The catalogue can be viewed at www.ucsw.org and the public are encouraged to bid by email, post or fax.

With bidding closing at 3pm on Friday 27 November and winners being notified in early December, the auction is timed to finish well-before Christmas, making it the ideal place to search for quirky Christmas gifts.

The UCSW represents anyone employed in country sports and their ancillary trades — including hunt staff, saddlers, farriers, grooms, jockeys, vets and gamekeepers.

The union — run on an almost entirely voluntary basis — was set up in 1997 and now has around 5,000 members based all over the UK, as well as around Europe and in the US.

All proceeds will go to the UCSW Fighting Fund, with a donation being made to Help for Heroes, a charity that supports ex-servicemen.

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