In memoriam: Sarah Holman, backbone of our Cheltenham Countryside Race Day

Sarah Holman, the backbone of the Countryside Alliance's Cheltenham Countryside Race Day for 30 years, sadly died in June. A memorial service will be held in Warwickshire on 15th September. The Telegraph published a fitting obituary to her achievements, and it begins: Sarah Holman, who has died aged 65, stood out among a dwindling number of Highland landowners who hold the view that owning an estate carries with it a duty and responsibility to the land and the local community. She took an active part in the life of the villages of Ilmington in Warwickshire and at Acharacle, Argyll, where she delighted local residents with her eccentricities, and a family trust made land available for a new primary school, a commemorative woodland walk and an extension to the graveyard. Her own great love was stalking on the family's Shielbridge estate in Argyll, on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands."

Read the Telegraph obituary in full here

Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Tim Bonner commented: "Sarah's great love of the countryside led her to chair the committee for Cheltenham Countryside Race Day for 30 years and take a passionate interest in the management of her highland estate. Under Sarah's leadership the Cheltenham Countryside Race Day has become an annual gathering of the Countryside Alliance family and raised millions for our campaigning work and other charities in Gloucestershire. Sarah leaves a tremendous legacy and her commitment, drive and unique character will be much missed."