The Game Conservancy Trust: Black Rod and Kate Hoey speak up for wildlife conservation

Friday, 10, Nov 2006 12:00

Renowned MP, Kate Hoey and Black Rod, the senior official of the House of Lords, will be helping to raise funds for game and wildlife conservation, when they are guest speakers at The Game Conservancy Trust's Oxfordshire Dinner and Auction of Promises being held at The Orangery, Blenheim Palace on Friday 2 February 2007, by kind permission of the Duke of Marlborough.

Kate Hoey was elected Labour MP for Vauxhall in 1989. Prior to entering Parliament she was a senior lecturer at Kingsway College and educational advisor to Arsenal F.C. In 1998 Kate became Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office and from 1999-2001 Minister of Sport. She is a vociferous and passionate promoter of sport in schools and a well-known opponent of the ban on hunting with dogs. Born and brought up on a small farm in Northern Ireland, she became the Chairman of the Countryside Alliance in 2005.

Black Rod is the senior official of the House of Lords responsible for its security and day to day management. As 'Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod', a title which dates from 1348, Black Rod is also responsible for organising all ceremonial and State Ceremonial at Parliament. He is perhaps best known for his role in the State Opening of Parliament each year when he commands the Commons to attend the Lords to hear the Queen's Speech. The current Black Rod is Lieutenant General Sir Michael Willcocks who was a career soldier before taking up the post in 2001.

Max Kendry, Regional Organiser of The Game Conservancy Trust said, "Kate Hoey and Black Rod are two speakers not to be missed. A wonderful dinner, at a wonderful venue and a lot of competitive bidding, adds up to a very exciting evening's entertainment."

This annual Oxfordshire dinner, kindly sponsored by Savills, Hartwell Landrover and Handelsbanken, is increasingly popular and previous auctions have been very successful. With several top class shooting lots, fishing on the River Esk, dinner and a night at Raymond Blanc's La Manoir, a luxury spa day, a Landrover off-road driving experience and many more, the Oxfordshire committee hope they are on for a record breaking evening. All the money raised will go towards funding the research of The Game Conservancy Trust.

The evening will start at 6.45pm with a drinks reception in The Colonnades of the amazing Orangery. Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, The Orangery is a beautiful elegant room with high ceilings and huge arched windows, overlooking the Italian Garden. For more details and to purchase tickets at £65 per person ring Alan Phillips (Oxfordshire GCT Committee member) on 01491 639584.

ENDS

The Game Conservancy Trust is an independent wildlife conservation charity which carries out scientific research into Britain's game and wildlife. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats and we lobby for agricultural and conservation policies based on science. We employ 14 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as ornithology, entomology, biometrics, mammalogy and agronomics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. In 2004 we spent £3.5 million on research. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse. For information, contact: Morag Walker - Press Officer Telephone - 01425-652381 (direct 01425-651000) Mobile - 07736-124097 www.gct.org.uk

**Please support The Game Conservancy Trust by becoming a member. Your membership subscription goes towards our valuable gamebird conservation research. If you are already a member please recommend us to your friends. Visit www.gct.org.uk to join online.**

The Game Conservancy Trust

Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1EF

Telephone: 01425 651000