by Sue Read

MORE than 30 riders were at the opening meet of the trail hunt season for the Eggesford Hunt on Saturday morning, November 4, when the wind blew sharp straight off Dartmoor.

Before setting off, a cheque for £1,700 was presented to Ellen Tinkham School and College, money raised by the Eggesford Hunt Supporters Club when it held a Terrier Show at Crooke Burnell, near North Tawton.

It was the first show the club had organised at North Tawton and there are plans it will become an annual event in the club calendar in the area.

Ellen Tinkham is a local authority funded special school for children and young people aged three-to-19 years who have severe learning disabilities. It has 140 students.

The school was chosen this year because the daughter of a local family goes there.

Deb Norman, a member of staff, said the school will be taking a group of students next June to South Africa where it has links with another special needs school.

This is the first such trip organised by the school although students have been to France and Spain, but never an expedition of which a part is the fundraising and other work.

To help towards this students have done sponsored events such as a 10-mile sponsored walk, held quiz nights, cake sales and families have helped as well. Deb thanked the Supporters Club for their contribution.

The school needs to raise £55,000 in total and is doing quite well so far. Anyone interested in finding out more should check the school website.

The cheque was presented by Martin Tucker, vice chairman of the Hunt and owner of Crooke Burnell with Mel Bishop of the Supporters Club.