WITH local countryside gradually returning to normal following the relaxation of foot-and-mouth restrictions, organisers of several forthcoming events have confirmed that they are back on track. The annual Donkey Day Out at the Rural Life Centre in Tilford is going ahead this Sunday, with around 20 donkeys turning out to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Donkey Breed Society. Also confirmed is the big charity fundraising event, the Hampton Sponsored Ride, over the Hampton Estate at Seale on Sunday, September 16. Pierrepont Farm, the dairy farm in Tilford run by the Countryside Restoration trust, will be holding its open day on Saturday, September 15, from 10-30 am for trust members and 1-30 pm for the general public. Foot-and-mouth restrictions within the small protection zones around Elstead and Normandy were lifted on Friday, August 24. The protection zones have been merged into the surveillance zone, which remains in place, and Peter Denard, Surrey Trading Standards manager, is confident this will be lifted by the middle of this month. Only a few footpaths remain closed in and around the three infected premises themselves. Peter Denard believes a co-ordinated operational response has played a big role in helping to meet the challenges presented by the outbreak so effectively. "There is no way in the world we could have dealt this in isolation. No two ways about it, everyone really pulled together from the different organisations to achieve great results," said Mr Denard. "If everything goes to plan the final restrictions on livestock will be lifted in mid-September, which will be a tremendous boost to all the different agencies and partners involved in controlling and eradicating this disease. "We still need to be vigilant, especially the farming community, but the prospects are looking good."
