New Year's hunt marred by protests
A FEW hundred people turned out in Carmarthen yesterday to cheer the riders of the traditional New Year's county hunt.
The dozen riders of Carmarthenshire Hunt, with their hounds weaving and chasing among the crowd, trotted into Guildhall Square where they were met with applause and cheers.
Hunt master Mike Watts, dressed in a red tunic, doffed his black riding helmet to the onlookers.
His speech was all but drowned out however by about 20 anti-hunt protesters who, armed with placards, started singing behind him.
Mr Watts said to the crowd: "I just want to say — but I can't get a word in edgeways — happy new year and to thank you for supporting the hunt each year."
Referring to the protesters, he added: "I know that Carmarthenshire Hunt has acted in a proper manner — and manners mean so much."
Earlier, the riders paused outside the Boar's Head in Lammas Street where they were served punch and sandwiches, sat in their saddles.
Landlady Meinir Hunter said she had been serving the members of the hunt for 20 years, ten of those from the Blue Boar.
She said: "My uncle used to be a master with the hunt years ago and I remember watching it with my father when I was young."
With the blowing of a hunting horn to round up the excited hounds, the riders then headed out of town.
Their route, following a trail laid out the day before, had been kept secret from the hunt monitors who follow the riders to make sure no foxes or other wildlife are hurt.
Michael Sharratt, of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "We find it abominable and we do not want a repeal of the hunting act."
David Peterson, of West Wales Animal Aid, added: "Seventy-five per cent of the population are against the cruelty of blood sports.
"Just because it's tradition does not make it right."
Meanwhile, the Banwen Miners Hunt staged its traditional New Year hunt, setting out from the Glamorgan Arms in Pontlliw at 11am.
Jeff Evans, one of the masters of the hunt, said: "It went fantastic. There was a cracking turnout and the weather was mostly with us.
"We had around 55 riders, which is probably the best we have had for quite a few years, as well as a big crowd. It was a great day."
graeme.wilkinson@swwmedia.co.uk
8 Comments
by twotonethomas
Wednesday, January 11 2012, 5:52PM
“We had four local men jailed for taking part in traditional badger baiting in Yorkshire this week.
They were caught because townies, politicians and unwashed scruffs didn't mind their own business :)”
by GilesBradshaw
Wednesday, January 04 2012, 1:39AM
“Why protest? LACS are perfectly free to monitor the hunt and they insist that the law is enforceable. If the law is enforceable then if the hunt broke it they could be prosecuted. What annoys LACs and why they protest so loudly is that the hunt are hunting within the law and it has failed to stop them.”
by huwwuh
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 6:15PM
“Landlady Meinir Hunter...seriously!”
by Dan01
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 4:15PM
“Well said Philosoraptor. These so called animal lovers worry about less than a handful of foxes which may potentially become victims but do nothing about the thousands of animals suffering on these puppy farms. They really do love the cameras, don't they?”
by Lezz_T
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 4:08PM
“Excellent to see that the traditional hunt is still going strong.
Long may it continue.
Townies, politicians and unwashed scruffs should mind their own business.”
by Philosoraptor
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 1:26PM
“I agree Dai, they are not their to hunt. They themselves are just going on a parade of sorts. The hunt is now dead.
These protestors are far better off starting their own puppy farm and starting some sort of creditation for such places across the UK, because that is one thing they will never stop for sure. So tempt the buyers away by buying only from these new farms which are less like farms and more like hotels.
There were 20 people at this protest for the hunt thing, all of those could work at their own puppy farm. There are atlest 10 protesters here on this site, that is possibly 30 people now who can work there.
Such a thing can kick off and spread around the UK where people geniunly love the animals and want to make sure they have a good life at all times, I do not doubt that is what they really do want for animals. But I totally disagree with them protesting because that will never, ever stop those farms being sprung up... legal ones and illegal ones alike. That is why they need to create their own which adhere to the ultra strict rules that only people like them would apply, by having their own there is a good chance that most people looking for a dog will go to somewhere we their conscience feels good. Let's not forget they could run these places as not for profit, which doesn't mean charity, it means the dogs will sell only for what is needed to keep the place running and that would mean cheaper animals than most legal places.
And.. as a business, they can do background checks on the buyers. If they don't like the history of somebody (you are entitled to seek background checks on people wishing sign any contract and simply selling an animal can be deemed a contract due signatures being required) they make sure the animals welfare continues to a standard.
Now, Dai... where you said these protestors should move on, people like these I told of the plan above. They vilified me, the hated me for saying it. And for that reason, I will never... ever support the protesters. They are not interested in stopping the problems as best they can, they are the only people who can pull off what wrote above and they turned their back on the suggestion and hence allow the other farms to continue to be established and in a sense force buyers to those places as well as illegal places.
They think I hate animals, my suggestion is better than their current actions.”
by dogfa
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 1:23PM
“hope the hunt had a great day besides being annoyed by a few scruffy workshy pest's!”
by Dai_Chotomy
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 12:59PM
“I couldn't be at Carmarthen. I was demonstrating at a clay-pigeon shoot because once upon a time people used to shoot live pigeons.
The law is the law. If they kill a fox they will be prosecuted. The meet is monitored to make sure they do not. What more do you want?
If they want to ride cross-country over land that they have permission to cross and break their necks, just let them get on with it. You have nothing to demonstrate about, you won.”