Celebrations are taking place at Lains Shooting School & Mullenscote Gun Dog Training, Quarley Nr Andover as this family-run business has won the Daily Telegraph Traditional Business award in the 2008 Countryside Alliance Awards for Southern Region.

The business is one of four rural enterprises based in the South of England who are celebrating winning a regional titles in their category in the Countryside Alliance Awards. They will now hope to be awarded a national title at a Westminster reception in March. The Countryside Alliance Awards celebrate the skills, tradition and enterprise of the countryside through the people who work so hard to make it tick.

Howard Kirby who runs the School near Andover said he was delighted with the victory: “ It’s wonderful news for the whole family who are involved here at Lains. I’d like to thank everyone who nominated us for the award and we’re all looking forward to going to the National finals in London in March”

Mullenscote Dog Training boasts purpose built dog training facilities designed to cater for the training needs of a variety of dogs and handlers ranging from companion dogs to specialist gundogs. The professional dog training team are available to assist and advise with many of the difficulties that arise when living and working with dogs, whilst Lains Shooting School, which runs alongside the Dog Training, can offer people interested in shooting an opportunity to shoot a variety of targets in a relaxed countryside atmosphere. Professional Shooting instructors are on hand to ensure that safety, etiquette and shooting skills are thoroughly learned in a safe and educational atmosphere.

Judges praised the attitude toward education methods used at the school where traditional skills are taught and a passion for the countryside is assured. Personal service and the ability to accommodate individual requirements are key at the school. Praise was also given to the school’s contribution to the local community in sponsorship for a variety of good causes in the local area in the past few years.

The national judging panel, chaired by Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Simon Hart, will now decide a national winner in each category. Winners will be announced at reception on the Terrace of the House of Lords on 18th March.

Visit the Castledown Radio Website where you can list to interviews with Howard Kirby.