Tally ho! – with hope (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Tally ho! – with hope
1:26pm Thursday 31st December 2009 in News
MEET DAY: members of the South Durham Hunt set off at Bishopton
THOUSANDS of people turned out on Boxing Day to support meets.
Among those defying the weather was the South Durham Hunt, which met at the Talbot Inn in Bishopton, near Sedgefield.
About 30 riders and 28 hounds gathered at about 11am and set out to hunt in the surrounding area.
Secretary Judith Shield said: “The weather was quite dicey, so I don’t think there were many hunts out at all, but we braved the weather. It was crisp and refreshing to get out and the sun was shining.”
The Hurworth Hunt met outside the Golden Lion Hotel, Northallerton, watched by a crowd of spectators.
Snow and ice in fields meant it would have been too dangerous for horses to gallop across country, but the meet went ahead to avoid disappointment.
Joint master Ken Fox said: “A lot of people would have been let down if we hadn’t turned out and many of them gave us their vocal support.”
The Zetland Hunt met at Aldbrough St John.
Hunts are hopeful that the controversial Hunting Act, which limited their activities five years ago, could be repealed following a change in Government after the General Election.
Conservative leader David Cameron has promised a free vote on the repeal of the Hunting Act, saying he believes it does not work and does not make sense.
Simon Hart, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said there was real optimism among the hunting community.
“The momentum for repeal is unstoppable and that simply would not have happened if the law was justified, proportionate and workable,” he said.
Opponents include the Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, who has started a campaign in support of the ban.
Robbie Marsland, UK director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, said hunts must act within the law or face the consequences.
“We have no problem at all with hunts meeting to enjoy a gallop through the countryside over Christmas, or at any other time, as long as this does not involve wild animals being cruelly chased and killed,”
he said.
Comments(3)
babz
says...
1:25pm Fri 1 Jan 10
RobBC
says...
1:15pm Mon 4 Jan 10
babz wrote:They certainly do think they are above the law, as my wife discovered last month as she drove along the A684 at Ellerbeck to find a van parked across the road blocking all traffic, swiftly followed by a hunt with dogs charging across the road. Do hunts have the legal authority to simply close the A684 at will?
What arrogance is this, that the hunt needs to turn out so as not to deny the local surfs their thrill? If they wish to ride their horses from now till next Boxing Day I couldn't care less but I do care that they think they are above the law and because that law doesn't suit them then they think it should be changed so that it does. I'd be ashamed of myself standing around watching these big headed buffoons, I have far better things to do with my time, and they include fighting to keep the hunt ban!
I presume this must have been a drag-hunt, but who would be so stupid as to lay a trail across a busy main A-road. I could understand a hunt crossing a main road if a pursued fox had done so first, but this couldn't have been the case here, as hunting foxes with dogs is illegal. Isn't it?
MHayworth says...
7:10pm Thu 31 Dec 09
Why not just be honest and say: stopped them from killing foxes in a prolonged and cruel manner.
There is no case for repeal. Hunt numbers are up all over the country. Drag hunting is legal. The sense of community, pageantry, heritage, and jobs are all still intact and yet these disgraceful people can’t manage to enjoy themselves unless they are terrifying and killing animals.
If you support the hunting act, please get your names on the R.O.A.R. (Register Online Against Repeal), an ‘all party’ list at: http://www.campaignf
ordecency.org.uk
Boxing Day should be a day of peace!