The south-west fringes of the Cotswolds are very much the stamping ground of the horsey-set. One of the most famous equestrian events in the world is held at Badminton and the controversial Beaufort Hunt run with their hounds in this part of the world, though how much longer they will be allowed to is uncertain as the tide of public opinion is now massively anti fox- hunting.
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of Scottish poet Robert Burns' birth. Burns was a poet and a lyricist and is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.
The Burns Supper was started a few years after his death by a group of his friends; they held the supper to honour and remember Burns. The tradition caught on and the ritual of Burns Supper is now held all around the world.
His life and work will be celebrated throughout the year at many Burns-related events.
