Charles Frampton; Master and Huntsman to the Heythrop Hunt

PRIME MINISTER David Cameron sent his apologies to ‘drag’ hunters in Pembrokeshire as the European Council took priority over local drag hunt as part of hunt week.

On Monday (Feb 1) The famous hunting club the Duke of Beaufort’s Huntsman, Tony Holdsworth brought along the clubs hounds to initiate the hunt week in Pembrokeshire which started at Castle Morris in North Pembrokeshire.

After a full day’s hunt, members of Pembrokeshire, South Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire Hunt clubs, as well as visitors from all over the UK prepared themselves for the arrival of the famous Heythrop Hunt club, who it was said would be accompanied by the Prime Minister.

Christopher Harte, Carmarthenshire Hunt’s PR manager invited the Herald to attend the hunts and said: “On Monday the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt, known as the ‘badminton,’ was met by visitors from surrounding counties at Castlemorris. The following day the meet at Haycastle was with the Heythrop Hunt whose best known rider is the Prime Minister, David Cameron.”

Mr Cameron’s absence was apologised for on the evening, but the gathering of hunters were not deterred and turned up in force with almost 30 riding hunters and in total around 90 people arriving to see off the hounds and chasers.

Over the past week a number of hunts have taken place in South West Wales, and in total over three thousand riders, foot followers and supporters have turned up at the South Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Tivyside and Vale of Clettwr Hunts.

‘Drag’ hunting has taken place in the UK and has been a large part of country living since the early 19th century, it involves dragging a scent along the ground for a set distance for the hounds to follow, the scent is usually made from oils and sometimes animal meats or urine.

Farmers often vocalise their dislike of foxes and explain that the reason the animals are considered pests is due to the surplus killing they commit when entering farms, especially into chicken coops, where they may kill several but only eat one.

The sport and its gatherings often attract anti-hunting activists who instead of choosing to take action lawfully, go down the more illegitimate group.

A representative of the South West Wales hunts explained the practices of the protesters and saboteurs: ”We do, occasionally get our hunt meetings interrupted by balaclava wearing youths. These are mainly students from the Bristol area who are paid to be silly for the day. The organisers, both of whom are based in Pembroke, pay £30 to each student, and they get a packed lunch as well.”

“You know these idiots are not animal lovers as in recent weeks they have lured hounds on to main roads where some have been hit and injured by passing vehicles.”

Mrs S.M Johnson from Lampeter who travelled over an hour and half to the first hunt, and over two hours to the second told the Herald about what her fellow hunters have experienced when protesters have been present: “I myself have been lucky enough to never have a run-in with such people, but from what is said by other members of the hunt, it accomplishes nothing and leaves a bad taste for the day, for everybody involved.”

On the second day while on horseback Mrs Johnson said: “The best time of day is around about half past two when everybody else goes home and there are only a few of you left it’s like the private view before the big exhibition and you never know you may get a very interesting bit of development at that time of day.”

Taught by Mrs Noreen Vaughan a national hunt breeder and former competitor at Wembley, Grace Evans riding Abergwaun Acrobat attended the hunt riding side saddle and said:

“Noreen took me under her wing too teach me everything I know and I went to county and competed there, and came forth, and ever since we’ve been going hunting as much as we can.” Noreen added: “Hunting has been going for centuries and is just part of the countryside, long may it continue, it brings everyone from all walks of life together, it hopefully will never be stopped.”

A spokesman for the Hunts said: “Both days were splendid and the hospitality given by the hosting hunt people was absolutely perfect. We were overwhelmed by the kindness shown to us and both days were a joy to behold.”

He added: “For the past twelve years all of these hunts have complied with the law by only laying “drag” trails for the horses and hounds to follow. These trails are expertly laid down and often results in hunts taking over six hours to complete the course.”

“The support of the farming community is essential to the survival of the hunts and virtually every farmer in the wide area gives permission for the hunts to use their land.”

One Carmarthenshire resident against fox hunting said: “Hiding behind the age-old excuse of tradition and the hunter instinct, they take life that is virtually useless to them in terms of sustenance. It is merely a method of satisfying a hidden psychopathic urge, tempered only by the laws of the land that prevent them from killing fellow human beings for sport.”

However a representative from South West Wales hunts said: “The old concept of hounds chasing and killing wild animals is a far-fetched urban myth which, alas, is still considered to be the case by those who are ignorant of the facts.”

Highlighting the community spirit of the hunt he continued: “What is of considerable satisfaction to the hunts and their committees are the number of young people who become active members. In some hunts the weekly turnout can reach up to 20% of the riders.”

Tom Quinn, Campaigns Director for the League Against Cruel Sports said: “Although hunts claim they act within the law, we believe that many of them continue to hunt illegally. The Heythrop Hunt is a good example of this, having been convicted of hunting illegally in 2012.

“Anyone who claims that trail hunting is the same as drag hunting doesn’t know what they are talking about. Drag hunting is a legal and cruelty-free pastime where hounds follow an artificial scent. But no traditional hunts claim to drag hunt – they all claim to trail hunt with hounds trained on a fox-based scent.

“Unsurprisingly the hounds of hunts that claim to be trail hunting often end up chasing and killing live foxes. But the hunts often avoid prosecution by protesting that it was an accident. The hunts will claim that the only time they can’t control their hounds is when they’re about to kill a fox. This is clearly absurd. Huntsmen are experts at controlling their hounds which makes their claims that these illegal hunting incidents are accidents even more unbelievable.

“Hunt monitors around the country regularly see hunts chasing foxes and there have been a number of well publicised incidents recently where hunts have killed foxes. Unlike hunts and their followers, these animal lovers give up their time to help stamp out cruelty, and would never mistreat hounds or horses.”

Local artist and animal rights activist Diana Brook commented: “I think that it is abhorrent that it is still taking place in our countryside, that it is unlawful and that it is fully endorsed by our MP Simon Hart.

“He does not represent the majority of opinion and he certainly doesn’t represent me.”

Diana also mentioned a petition, which states: “There is a direct conflict of interest between our MP’s paid employment of a bloodsport lobbying organisation and his membership of the EFRA committee.” And is calling for him to leave either.

South Pembrokeshire Hunt master for a decade until 1997/8: Simon Hart MP, did not wish to comment on any current hunts but responded to the petition: “Sadly they clearly haven’t bothered to look at the rules of membership and declaration for select committees as if they had they would have realised that one of my committee colleagues is Vice President of the League Against Cruel Sports – and the committee is the richer for it!”