Hunting ban repeal optimism at meetings
Thousands of hunt supporters joined the traditional Boxing Day meetings yesterday for a day of sport which could be the last of its kind under the Hunting Act.
Meetings were held across the Westcountry yesterday, including that of the East Cornwall Hunt, whose members met at the iconic Jamaica Inn, Bodmin Moor.
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Around 50 mounted followers were joined by a crowd of nearly 400 on foot for a stirrup cup of mulled punch.
After a meet lasting half an hour Graham Higgins, the joint master and huntsman, welcomed everyone, and stressed it was important that hunting should continue.
“Now we need to get the Hunting Act repealed and the ban lifted,” he said.
He then blew his horn, and the hunt moved off, crossing under the main A30 to find the trail.
Trail-layers had been out early in the morning laying a line across to the moor to simulate the scent of a fox, and the hounds were soon hard at work running across the heather and bracken towards the two highest hills in Cornwall, Brown Willy and Rough Tor.
Mounted followers then spread out across the high moor enjoying an exhilarating gallop, despite a biting cold wind.
The Four Burrows Hunt, which is based in Scorrier, Cornwall, had a bumper turnout to its meeting which began at a windy Carn Brea.
Jim Pascoe, chairman of the hunt, said people had strong feelings about the Hunting Act, the repeal of which will be the subject of a free vote in the House of Commons according to the Coalition Government agreement.
“We have had 50-plus riders and hundreds of people following the hunt,” he said.
“The support had been amazing.
“We have said all along that the Hunting Bill doesn’t work.
“All those in the countryside and those who know anything about the countryside, including farmers, want to see this ban removed as soon as possible.” Mr Pascoe said “more and more” people were coming to the realisation that the bill must be revoked.
“When conditions are right, I believe we will see a return to normality,” he said.
The belief that the Hunting Act’s days were numbered were reinforced by words from Agriculture Minister Jim Paice who said the controversial legislation “simply doesn’t work”.
The minister, who has overall responsibility for hunting, said yesterday: “I personally am in favour of hunting with dogs – and the Coalition Agreement clearly states that we will have a free vote on whether to repeal the Act when there is time in the Parliamentary calendar to do so.”
The Countryside Alliance estimated that more than 250,000 people turned out to over 300 hunts across the UK. Chief executive Alice Barnard welcomed Mr Paice’s words and said people supported their local hunt.
“It is a point of pride for rural communities across Britain that, despite the prejudice and ignorance of some, hunting remains as strong as ever,” she said.
“The Countryside Alliance is delighted to be in such a strong position to push for the repeal of the expensive and failed Hunting Act.”
32 Comments
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by 2ladybugs
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 4:25PM
“How do you distinguish the legality of hunting?
The Hunting Act 2004
Made hunting with dogs a criminal offence
However
Exercising hounds,
Chasing a scent trail &
Flushing out foxes to be shot are legal.”
by 2ladybugs
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 12:19PM
“Oh well time to fess up. Some acquaintances of mine hold a Countryside Alliance Fair in their estate grounds every September. Yes they enjoy shooting and hunting but I would not say they are anti-wildlife. On the contrary. Their grounds envelop conservation areas which otherwise could be lost. They have wildfowl areas, wetland areas where reed-warblers can be seen, woodland areas, wild pasture land etc. How do we weigh up the good with the supposed evil?
I still don't hold with illegal hunting however.”
by Charlespk
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 11:57AM
“"attempting to extinguish forms of wildlife?"
When people make statements like this, it just becomes emotional drivel rather than objective comment. . It's just the same as with comments about the now urgently necessary badger cull.”
by 2ladybugs
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 11:51AM
“Whoops missed some punctuation out.”
by 2ladybugs
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 11:50AM
“Whatever happens to this hunts bill as it stands at present, it cannot be policed properly. Are they all being run illegally? Certainly not the one I witnessed on Tues 20th. I specifically kept an eye on this one. They were just following the trails. I don't actually think there are any foxes left in the area where this hunt was held.”
by Charlespk
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 11:42AM
“"*****s"
http://tinyurl.com/cw7z9”
by Charlespk
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 11:36AM
“The activities of *****s and the ill-bred riff-raff around the country does not represent the activities of the overwhelming majority of the hunting and shooting community. . Any more than the Riots represented the activities of the majority of City dwellers.”
by Charlespk
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 11:26AM
“@Max
"And the perception of this cruelty as the preserve of the Conservatives is one of the reasons that they could not achieve election victory over the sleaziest Labour gov't known."
If you believe the last election result was in anyway democratic, and not simply the result of 'Common Purpose' intervention. . Cameron's 40% lead suddenly 'disappeared' you'll recall when 25% of the vote (YES 25%) was POSTAL and was counted BEFORE election day. . The reason for the massive differences in swing, 12% in many places just VANISHED when the postal votes were included.
If you took notice, on election day outside Number 10, the coalition were even proclaiming a 'Common Purpose'. . You may also have noticed that all record of those statements now seem to have vanished.”
by 2ladybugs
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 10:51AM
“@itsgotbellson
To get a prosecution you really must have water-tight evidence. Is anybody getting this? It is no good holding up a half eaten fox carcass. Without the kill being filmed by at least two people you have had it. You will need to prove that the fox hadn't already been shot so close-up frames are essential. Very difficult in a tight area with dogs, people and horses around.
Sorry if this seems harsh but it is absolutely necessary to have cast-iron proof to get a conviction.”
by josdave
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 10:15AM
“Is there anything more obscene than seeing those with more money than sense taking great delight in attempting to extinguish forms of wildlife? It's not just fox hunting - paying beaters to make birds (pheasants/grouse/quail to fly so that toffs can try to shoot them down - boiling lobsters alive to satisfy "gourmets" ( another word for food snobs).”