London, UK -(AmmoLand.com)- As horses are being hardened up having spent the summer at grass and the yellow of the stubble fields provide a perfect place to exercise, the anticipation of the start of Autumn Hunting season is palpable.
The purpose of Autumn Hunting is to educate young hounds and indeed horses and whilst the keyboard warriors are bashing away proclaiming it ‘cruel’ and ‘senseless’, we will be enjoying early mornings out in the fresh air surveying our glorious countryside. I know where I would rather be.
We will never change the views of everyone, especially those not willing to engage with us, but earlier this month we found Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace the perfect stage to communicate with those willing to listen – as most people were. We were joined by the Woolaston Basset Hounds, the Christ Church and Farley Hill Beagles and the Heythrop Foxhounds and each day a huge crowd gathered around the pen. Whether or not people agree with hunting undoubtedly they love to see hounds and they love to meet hounds. Yes we had questions such as ‘I thought hunting was banned so what do the hounds do now’ but when the explanation was given more questions often followed which showed a thirst for information.
Rather than feeling an air of animosity towards us and the hunt staff present I would say that a common theme ran through their questions; a lack of understanding (see Jim Barrington’s blog on this in a story further down). This is why it is so important that we go to these events and that hunts continue to open their kennel doors and encourage those that are new to hunting.
Hunting Newcomers’ Week will this year take place from October 22-29 and we urge all of you to get behind this initiative and help spread the word. If you haven’t been hunting then now is your chance. Hunts participating will be listed on our website and any supporting literature/information can be gained by emailing henrietta-rutgers@countryside-
Happy Autumn Hunting to you all.
Tim Bonner
Chief Executive
Follow me on Twitter @CA_TimB
About Countryside Alliance:
The Countryside Alliance is known for its work on wildlife and management, but its agenda is far broader than that incorporating food & farming, local businesses and services and the injustices of poor mobile phone signal and broadband in the countryside. We are anything but a single issue organisation and represent the interests of country people from all backgrounds and geographical locations. With around 100,000 members the Countryside Alliance promotes and protects rural life at Parliament, in the media and on the ground. Our vision is a future for the countryside which both preserves its traditional values and promotes a thriving rural community and economy; a countryside sustainably managed and sustainably enjoyed; a countryside where rural communities have equal access to the facilities and services enjoyed in urban communities; a countryside where people can pursue their businesses, activities and lives in a society that appreciates and understands their way of life.
Join the voice of rural Britain today at www.Countryside-Alliance.org.