A DORSET hunt will be taking part in an event to celebrate countryside sports.

The Purbeck and Bovington will be appearing at the West of England Game Fair this weekend (18/19).

They’re one of a number of hunts invited to showcase the variety of traditional sports.

The Purbeck and Bovington were formed in 1962 to hunt the Purbeck Hills and surrounding district. The hounds were kennelled at Lytchett Matravers, and the hunt operated as a private pack. Currently, the Purbeck & Bovington Beagles hunt the eastern parts of Dorset, ranging from Weymouth and the Purbecks in the South, to Yeovil, Sherborne and Wincanton in the North. They currently have 17 couples of hounds in kennels of which one couple is puppies that will hopefully be entered next season.

A spokesman for the event, taking place at the Bath and West Showground on Saturday and Sunday, is ‘the ultimate countryside experience for all the family’.

“Not only does the West of England Game Fair entertain but it provides a platform for countryside traditions to be promoted and supported. This is certainly a total countryside experience for all the family and a great day out! It has a very varied countryside theme with a variety of have-a-go activities, displays and countryside shopping. This is an event not to be missed.”

Other hunts taking part on the Sunday at the Courtenay Tracy Mink Hounds, Ilminster Beagles, and Wiltshire and Infantry Beagles.

The Courtenay Tracy Mink Hounds date back from 1887 and was formed by a Mr Courtenay Tracy and hunted the otter. When the sport of otter hunting was given up in Britain during the 1970s due to the otter becoming endangered and protected, many pack of otter hounds converted to hunting the American Mink.

The Wiltshire and Infantry Beagles was established in 1947 as a military hunt known as The School of Infantry Beagles. In 1985 the hunt became a civilian pack with its current name but still retains its close and valued link with the Land Warfare Centre at Warminster.

Ilminster Beagles was formed in 1961 with a large draft of Holcombe Rogus beagles and some from other local packs.

For more information on the event, visit www.westofenglandgamefair.co.uk or join the Facebook group and following on Twitter @WestGamefair. For exhibitor enquiries, call 01392 421500. The show is on from 9am to 5pm both days.