By Harry Mottram: Opposition to the annual meeting of the Weston and Banwell Harriers on Boxing Day is growing as the hunt is facing its greatest challenge to date. During a meeting of Axbridge Town Council this week opposition was voiced about the annual trail hunt meeting which sees the town’s Square packed with hunters, horse riders and supporters of the hunt. It is accepted wisdom that the picturesque scene is viewed differently by those both for and against – a public relations exercise for supporters of a traditional rural social occasion that is popular with the public – or an archaic rural scene that celebrates blood sports that should be confined to history by opponents.
Last year a number of protesters held up placards at the meeting on Boxing Day morning while this year their numbers are expected to grow. Whatever the rights or wrongs of trail hunting those at the town council meeting concentrated on the alleged legal status of the meeting. These boil down to whether the hunt’s insurance is valid in case of injuries to the public or property as they have not applied for official road closures. On the day, for an hour or so, the Square is packed with people, hounds and horses.
Axbridge Review understands the town has three road closures for the Square a year – these would likely be for the Carnival, Santa in the Square and the Farmers’ Market or The Axbridge Pageant – although the next one is not due until 2029. And there are other occasional events such as the Coronation Party for King Charles which require the Square to be closed to traffic. The situation is complicated by the complex nature of the Square. The roads being under the authority of Somerset Council’s Highways Department – while it is looked after and governed by the Town Trust – who also have responsibility for the Town Hall. Finally, the Town Council also has some input into the Square since it meets in the town hall and periodically takes part in ceremonies in the Square such as Remembrance Sunday and the Carnival procession. Without an official road closure, the hunt’s legal and insurance status is uncertain, and it is this chink in the armour of the hunt that a group called Action Against Foxhunting have concentrated on.
For decades there have been demonstrations against fox hunting across the country with the main objection being that of cruelty since the hounds or dogs’ main purpose is to catch and kill the fox. There is also the objection of the hunt’s pack killing cats and dogs that happen to get in the way of the chasing hounds. Then there is the way some hunts are alleged to behave in taking over public highways and private land without the usual permissions.
Alyson Rogers of Action Against Foxhunting said they had approached The Town Trust over the alleged breaches of insurance and road safety but were given short shrift. They currently await the views of the town council presently led by the Mayor Graham Page. Speaking at the Council Meeting Pip Donovan of Action Against Foxhunting said: “For many years, we and other groups, have offered clear evidence to show that hunts, including the Weston and Banwell Hunt, have no respect for the hunting ban, and have been cruelly killing wildlife anyway.”
She continued: “We know that you, as a Town Council, cannot ban the hunt from the town on Boxing Day. But we are also very aware that you do have influence as local figures of authority, whose opinions have weight. Hunts rely on the implicit support from councils in order to make themselves look like upstanding local citizens, when in fact they are no more than animal abusers of the lowest sort. It is time this stopped. Even if you are not actively supporting the meet [hunt] as a Council, most people with will think you are, because it is held in the middle of your town.”
Alyson Rogers also raised Health and Safety issues caused by the hunt she said that included the access of emergency vehicles accessing the Square and she also said that Somerset Council had tried to contact the hunt organisers to explain they needed a road closure notice.
The subject has moved up the social agenda of the town due to the news that the Labour Government is to outlaw trail hunting due to the abuses of the field sport. The BBC’s Ellen Knight explained: “Trail hunting involves using a rag soaked in animal scent, which is then dragged along to lay a trail for the hunt to follow. It mimics the scent of a wild animal – so the hounds chase that, not a fox. The intention is to replicate the pursuit across the countryside, without the need to kill animals. The Hunting Act banned using dogs to hunt wild mammals – foxes, hares, deer and mink – across England and Wales.”
The David Cameron’s Coalition Government’s 2004 Hunting Act came into force in 2005 but abuses of the act have been widely reported – mainly due to the aspect that one or two dogs can be used to stalk and ‘flush out’ a fox. With a pack of hounds in full cry it doesn’t take much imagination to see that the one or two dogs used to flush out a fox from a hedge or copse would be joined by the rest of the pack in seconds. The killing of the fox must take place on land owned by those hunting or they have permission from the landowner – and again this is not always the case due to the nature of the hue and cry of a hunt. A fact noted and reported by Hunt Saboteurs (or Sabs) who have documented abuses on video that are widely circulated online.
In defence of the hunt, they will insist such breaches of the law are accidents and they have stayed within the law as much as they can at all times. A hunt meeting such as the one on Boxing Day is not technically illegal, and for many in the town and district it is a highlight of the year and a social event that is enjoyed by large numbers of the public. Certainly, to see the Square filled with horses and people is a scene that is enjoyed by those who champion long held traditional rural activities. And supporters point to the boost to rural economies that hunt groups bring, from country pubs to tack shops and attracting visitors who enjoy photographing the hunt and following it on foot or car. And for those riders taking part the main enjoyment is not the hunt but a large-scale communal hack across country on a winter’s day – one of life’s great pleasures for the equestrian minded.
When the Government’s ban on trail hunting takes place is open to question – it won’t have come into force soon as it will require an act of parliament, but Defra have said that the government “was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation.” They confirmed the government would seek to ban trail hunting “that allows for the illegal hunting of foxes, deer, and hares.”
Public opinion has consistently shown a majority in favour of a complete ban on trail hunting and fox hunting for years. YouGov’s most recent poll showed 79% of those asked were in favour of a ban with even those living in the countryside being clearly in the majority backing an end to the hunt. As it stands there is a question mark over the Boxing Day meeting in Axbridge over the issue of road closures which is yet to be resolved. Although to meet friends on horseback in the town is perfectly legal, while those who hold placards in opposition are also staging a perfectly legal activity.
Axbridge Review is edited by Harry Mottram and is published for the interest of himself and fellow residents.
Harry is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube etc
Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
Website:www.harrymottram.co.uk
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