'Watch Boxing Day hunt and make up your own mind'
PEOPLE are being invited to join East Yorkshire's showcase hunt to make up their own minds about the hunting.
Leaders of the Holderness Hunt want people to see for themselves at the festive meet at Beverley Westwood on Boxing Day.
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Tradition: The Holderness Hunt holds a Boxing Day hunt every year, starting from Beverley Westwood. Picture: Jack Harland
Rural champion the Countryside Alliance is also stepping up its campaign to encourage new faces at hunts this Christmas.
It comes as the League Against Cruel Sports launches a £1 million initiative to catch people illegally hunting.
But the 250-year-old Holderness Hunt, based at Etton, near Beverley, says support is on the increase as it prepares for Boxing Day.
Farmer Chris Richardson, the hunt's joint master, said: "Traditionally, Boxing Day is a showcase meet with thousands of people on the Westwood.
"It is an occasion when people who are unsure about hunting can come along and make up their own minds.
"We certainly have nothing to hide and want as many people as possible to come along and enjoy this countryside spectacle."
The controversial ban on fox hunting in 2005 meant hunts had to change their ways to keep within the law.
The legislation stops hunts setting out to kill a fox, but they can follow an artificial trail to stay within the law.
Mr Richardson said league observers had always monitored hunts, so there was nothing new about the latest campaign.
He said: "Although hunting with hounds or dogs was banned, we comply with the law so our supporters can still enjoy the pastime.
"It is important people realise registered hunts, like the Holderness, are not operating illegally if they see them in the countryside."
Last year's bad weather hit the hunting programme, but the Holderness Hunt still turned out on Boxing Day.
David Elliott, the hunt's professional huntsman, said: "Hunts seem to be getting more support now than before the ban.
"Boxing Day is a great opportunity for people to come along and see the horses and hounds and form their own opinions about hunting.
"Thousands of people love to come to the Westwood and walk off their Christmas dinner while enjoying a colourful tradition."
Simon Hamlyn, Countryside Alliance regional director, said everybody should experience the occasion of a Boxing Day meet.
He said: "They are fabulous events, full of tradition and regalia, and show what the hunts are all about.
"They are part of the fabric of local society, which we should be proud of."
Boxing Day hunts are the Holderness, held at Beverley Westwood and the Middleton, held at Driffield Showground, both at 11am.
57 Comments
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by Imagine_that
Tuesday, December 27 2011, 9:02PM
“There was a link somewhere to the Top Ten Tortures of the Middle Ages.
Obviously part of our heritage and traditions (apart from the Vlad the Impaler one)
Perhaps the Countryside Alliance can campaign for their return too?”
by rtyrty20
Tuesday, December 27 2011, 8:57PM
“Medieval entertainment for the vicious.”
by Imagine_that
Tuesday, December 27 2011, 8:50PM
“Donkeydan
Why am I naive? Explain yourself.”
by inthedogshed
Tuesday, December 27 2011, 8:47PM
“donkeydan
And you obviously can't answer any of my other points.”
by Donkeydan
Tuesday, December 27 2011, 8:43PM
“Imagine_that,
"You need to get over yourself and see the bigger picture. Not everything in the world revolves around what you like or dislike".
Ah sorry - so it revolves around you? Very weak tut tut!
You are very very naive!!!”
by Imagine_that
Tuesday, December 27 2011, 8:21PM
“Donkeydan
"I don't personally like fox hunting so i will not go and watch it but i am not going to say it is wrong because i do not like it."
Seems to me that you have a much greater interest in foxhunting than you are admitting to, else why are you returning again and again to argue for it. You need to get over yourself and see the bigger picture. Not everything in the world revolves around what you like or dislike.
"if we remove all our traditions and heritage we remove all what this country is about."
Every other bloodthirsty tradition has been abolished. Why is foxhunting special?”
by Imagine_that
Tuesday, December 27 2011, 8:17PM
“Donkeydan
I have split my reply as you seem to be getting confused.
"I suppose niether you or i would like somebody coming on our property with a video camera"
I'd rather they came onto my property with a video camera than ride roughshod over it with a dozen horses and three dozen fox hounds.”
by Imagine_that
Tuesday, December 27 2011, 8:15PM
“donkeydan
"I have never mentioned about a link"
Rememberista
"That is right Dan. Most of the anti hunt commentators on here were only just a few days ago giving the arguments FOR Halal slaughter. Their arguments then included suggesting opposing Halal slaughter was racist!"
Mark_65 asked Rememberista for the link to this discussion and I also said I would be interested in seeing it. Rememberista has vanished in a puff of smoke and you seem to have appointed yourself as the pro-hunt spokesperson.”
by Donkeydan
Tuesday, December 27 2011, 6:56PM
“Imagine_that, I have never mentioned about a link, to answer your questions i do not give a monkeys about whether they will not let you video it. I suppose niether you or i would like somebody coming on our property with a video camera. Pheasants and various game are breed to be shot - whats the difference? Deer are shot for conservation!
My point is that if we remove all our traditions and heritage we remove all what this country is about. I don't personally like fox hunting so i will not go and watch it but i am not going to say it is wrong because i do not like it.”
by Imagine_that
Tuesday, December 27 2011, 5:56PM
“donkeydan
I don't agree with halal meat and would love to put my view onto the discussion - when you send us the link.
Now your turn to answer the questions that anythingwill asked you:
"If the hunt doesn't want to catch foxes, why do terrier men go out with them?
If hunts aren't breaking the law why don't they let anti-hunt monitors film them?
If foxes are pests, why do hunts breed them?
If foxes are causing carnage to the countryside what happens in areas where there are no hunts?"”