Best BE event to volunteer at

[Sarah_Star]

I'm not realistically going to be able to compete BE until end of June due to exam commitments

. But I'd like to have a go at some volunteering in March/April time. I'd be willing to go to events in the South East (Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Hampshire) but no further. Can anyone reccomend a good one for volunteers? I volunteered at Munstead last year, but had a rubbish time partly due to the fact there was a snow blizzard and I wasn't allowed the free food as I was too young or something strange like that (I was 17 at the time!)

So any recommendations?

 

[lizzie_liz]

When I lived down south I volunteered at mattingly, it is a great event. We got bacon roll during the briefing, packed lunch and also jars of homemade honey or chutney to take away with us.

 

[rotters13]

Tweseldown? Mattingley? Hambleden?

 

[jules89]

Somerley Park (PM me for more details)
Moreton (ditto)
Mattingley
Tweseldown
Bricky
Aldon (PM me etc)
Wilton

oh dear my minds gone blank...shoot

I should be volunteering(and competing) at a few of those

 

[IsabelleJ]

I was thinking of volunteering at Tweseldown as it is relatively close, anyone have any experience volunteering there?

Isabelle

 

[Sarah_Star]

Think I'll do Tweseldown. Can't do Mattingley, iirc it's in May...

 

[SpruceRI]

Nurstead!

Bacon/sausage roll and tea for brekkie while your job is dished out.

Nice packed lunch and frequent visits by 'tea and cake' lady!

Beautiful views of the surrounding countryside if fence judging. Or right in the middle of all the goings on if SJ stewarding.

A lovely thank you letter from the organiser afterwards and recognised by the other stewards as being a previous helper when you come to compete!!

It's also in May though!

 

[vallin]

DOn't know how far Little Downham is from you but I volunteered there a few times and it was great fun

Bacon Sarnies (if you eat them-I don't) the lot! You also get schooling vouchers so you can use the XC course for free

 

[chester1234]

Any BEDE events are really good for volunteering at, they really look after you!

 

[kerilli]

i second Little Downham, it's a lot of fun to volunteer there, and they really look after you.

 

[poggio]

Probably way too far west for you but I love fence judging at West Wilts, always stick my name down there. They feed you so well, lovely bacon sarnies to start, packed lunch full to the brim, they come around regularly with Tea and Biscuits, then later in the afternoon they let you have a small glass of wine and then when its warm you get ice creams too!! Brilliant..

 

[Goya]

I've volunteered at Brigstock,Keysoe, Milton Keynes,Purston Manor and Aston-Le-Walls.
All have treated me well, some even gave a little pressie and one (Purston) sent a Christmas card which I thought was a nice touch.
Mind you I always take some food and drink from home, just in case!

 

[Equus Leather]

Hutton is brilliant. Warm welcome with pastries and coffee at the briefing. Fab packed lunch. Coffee/tea/biscuits every half hour and the offer of wee breaks too. Came away with a lovely card and a box of posh fudge.

The Weymouths were really friendly, drove over and said thank you to everyone.

Going back this year!

 

[Sarah_Star]

[ QUOTE ]
Any BEDE events are really good for volunteering at, they really look after you!

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry if I sound stupid but what's a BEDE event?

 

[ratsupadrainpipe]

South of England is pretty civilised.

 

[wench]

BEDE ones are run by Stuart Buntine. Have been to a few, always plenty of food!

Lincolnshire is a good one. Bishop Burton Ok, Draycott not so good!

 

[nessie1288]

I will also vouch for Little Downham, I really enjoy going to help there.