So here we are and another start of a new year.
For a change my own festive period was relatively quiet compared to previous years and for that at least I’m thankful. While this was not necessarily the case country wide discussions in our sab wagon certainly seemed to conclude that many hunts in our area at least were keen to avoid any unnecessary and negative press by being caught killing wildlife. Many of the hunts which traditionally take place on Boxing Day and New Years Day were met with demonstrations and this is of course great news. While demo’s won’t save lives in the fields they are important in showing the real feeling among the general public and they have, overwhelmingly, had enough. Hunters and their supporters live in a bubble of their own propaganda and self justification, having middle England turn out on a cold and miserable day waving placards and shouting at them goes some way in bursting that bubble. It also shows the supporters of hunting for what they really are as they resort to abuse and violence in response – they know no other way.
While Timmy and his cronies at the so-called Countryside Alliance were on overtime and once again claiming record turn outs in support of these hunt meets it was abundantly clear, more so than ever, that hunting really is on the decline.
Not so long ago hunts would have had large turnouts in both riders and foot support for these events. They would have hunted on regardless of monitor or sab activity but now that’s simply not the case. Some hunts just chose to parade, the Cambridge with Enfield Chace haven’t hunted for the last few years at their Eltisley Boxing Day meet after they were embarrassingly sent home by the police after killing fox in 2016. The road & green used to be chock-a-block with cars and 4×4’s and getting a drink in the pub would be impossible. As far as I’m aware the pub is no longer hosting the meet and they just now meet on the village green. Just look at this aerial shot we took, the turnout is, to be frank, utterly pathetic.

Pathetic for a Boxing Day meet.
One has to wonder why they even bothered. Surely its embarrassing to see such a crappy turnout and pointless to get all dressed up with nowhere to go.
The Fitzwilliam faced concerted opposition on New Year’s Day meet at Wansford. Around 50 people turned out to voice their disapproval and there was also some humour thrown in for good measure.

We agree.
Fitzwilliam Master Philip Baker seemed a bit riled by the anti-hunt sentiment in the crowd and this photo speaks volumes.

Philip Baker looking a bit concerned, or constipated, could be either.
Another amusing part of that day for us was watching the hunt trotting up the road with a police escort to where all their horse boxes were parked, turning in and all the support parking their vehicles further on at the side of the road, getting out with their binoculars expecting to see the hunt carry on out that back of the farm and start hunting. What they actually saw was some empty Cambridgeshire fields with a few sad looking cows and nothing more. The Hunt had clearly neglected to tell their support that they’d got out of bed for nothing as they put their horses away and buggered off with their tales between their legs.
We had this all confirmed by the police as we chatted with them while they left. While some forces and officers are clearly pro hunt and biased this particular officer we know from the past and was the same one which sent the Cambridge and Enfield Chace home a few years earlier.
Some demo’s got a little bit tasty as drunken hunt support tried to take control of the proceedings and the police had to intervene. A member of East Kent Sabs sustained a nasty injury as he was attacked by hunt hooligans at a meet of East Kent with West Street Hunt and the Atherstone Hunt supporters were predictably aggressive.
What these morons fail to comprehend is that this type of behaviour only strengthens our claims that the hunts are nothing more than organised crime organisations followed by low life thugs and hooligans. The chocolate box image they try and portray has now long gone, the Great British public see them for what they really are and are now finding their voices an making their feelings known.
Finally I’d like to say hi to this chap, Matthew Higgs:
He was following of the Old Berkeley Beagles who’ve been sabbed a couple of times recently but better known for his connection to the Trinity Foot Beagles and also an avid reader of my blog. Thanks for increasing my viewing figures Matthew but if you really must quote me please get your facts right first, it just makes you look a bit daft.
Happy New Year.
Thurlow Trial Delayed
Posted: February 4, 2019 in CommentTags: Archie Clifton-Brown, Beds & Bucks Hunt Sabs, Boxing Day, Chris Amatt, Countryside Alliance, Suffolk Police, Thurlow Hunt
So I was kind of hoping to be reporting on the outcome of the Thurlow case as it was scheduled to be heard at Ipswich Magistrates Court last week (28th Jan). We had all arrived at the court as requested and were having our preliminary discussion with the prosecution barrister when he was called away. After waiting for some time he returned with some slightly irritating news – the case was to be delayed.
Of course we all feared some Countryside Alliance skulduggery was afoot but it actually transpired the judge was sick and couldn’t hear the case. Once again a district judge was due to hear the case and not just a magistrate so finding another judge at short notice was simply not possible. Of course it was somewhat annoying to get all suited and booted and then drive 2 hours to Ipswich for no reason but on the upside we all went and had a vegan brunch in a local hostelry and had a more relaxed drive home avoiding the rush hour.
The fox killed by the Thurlow hunt on Boxing Day 2017
The case itself has now been penciled in for the 11th March so fingers crossed we get the go ahead for that and the accused can hopefully receive some justice. In case you don’t remember this is in relation to a fox which was killed on Boxing Day 2017. Chris Amatt (the Huntsman) and Archie Clifton-Brown (Whipper In) are both facing charges of Common Assault, Assault by Beating and contravention of Section 1 of the Hunting Act.
This may seem like a long time in getting to court but the British legal system moves at a glacial pace at best, this case will have to be delayed several time more to get anywhere near that of the Fitzwilliam, which is still staggering on over 3 years after the original offence. In the mean time the accused get to sweat for a little longer.
Just as a source of amusement and to put into context the sort of people we deal with on regular intervals, Google Archie Clifton-Brown and watch the Vimeo video which pops up in the results . You couldn’t make it up!