The Ludlow Hunt held its annual farmers’ lunch on Sunday, June 23, when a raffle raised £227 for two rural charities.

More than 80 people attended the lunch, organised by Ludlow Hunt to recognise the support of local landowners.

Proceeds from the raffle were divided equally between Shropshire Rural Support and We are Farming Minds, charities that offer a range of services and advice to farmers and rural communities in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Liesel Townley, fundraising and event manager for We are Farming Minds said: "We would like to thank Ludlow Hunt for their kind support and we are glad the sun shone for their lunch on Sunday.

"It's organisations such as the Ludlow Hunt that help spread the support we can provide to the farming community and their families."

Georgina Owen, one of the Masters of the Ludlow Hunt said: “The farmers’ lunch is our way of saying thank you for all the help and support provided by local landowners.

"This is the wettest season anyone can remember. Right from the start of the season last autumn to the end of the season in March, the rain has been relentless.

"Despite these awful conditions, the farming community has been there for us the whole way through, allowing us sensible access to their land.

“In recognition of the strain the farming and rural community is under at the moment, our raffle was in aid of Shropshire Rural Support, a free confidential service for Shropshire farmers and their families, and We are Farming Minds, which was started to raise mental health awareness and support the Herefordshire agricultural community, both of which do a really valuable job in supporting farmers in the area.”

The Ludlow Hunt is a member of the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) and practises trail hunting, which involves the hounds following a scent trail. No animal is pursued during a trail hunt.

Every year the trail hunting community raises tens of thousands of pounds for charitable causes. In a recent six-month period 92 different charities benefited to the tune of £460,000 raised by members of BHSA registered hunts.