Press Releases 2000-2006
Hunt monitors call for Cheshire Forest Hunt to control supporters after monitor is attacked and video camera smashed - 26/11/05
'Don't believe the hype - the Hunting Act CAN and WILL work' - 31/10/05
Hunt violence condemned as female hunt saboteur attacked before hunt even starts hunting - 27/11/04
West Yorkshire
Grouse Shoot halted but Saboteurs pay by being assaulted -
14/8/04
40 years
on and still going strong, sadly - 19/12/03
Dying for a pint? - 30/10/03
This was received from The Portal
Golf & Country Club Tarporley - 13/3/03
Anti-hunt demonstrations planned
for Christmas 2002 - 18/12/02
How low can
these people stoop? - 16/11/02
Exploding The Hunting Lies Yet Again - 6/10/02
Inglorious Twelfth faces opposition - 10/8/02
Demonstration at Cheshire Forest Hunt Ball - 2/3/02
Anti Hunt Protesters Leg Broken - 23/2/02
Hunt Sabs Left to Rescue Hunt Hound After Cliff Fall - 30/1/02
Dead Fox Presented to Hunt Official After Cruel Killing - 22/12/01
Anti-Hunt Demonstration at Chester Racecourse and in Delamere 30/11/01 and 20/12/01
Dinosaurs meet in Tarporley! - 30/10/01
Hunt Saboteurs celebrate as Duke cancels Glorious 12th Grouse benefit from Foot and Mouth restrictions - 2/8/01
Judge rules that hunt saboteurs subjected to 'unlawful imprisonment'. Damages of £4,000 awarded - 28/3/01
Hunt saboteurs call hunt 'irresponsible' for failing to cancel hunt ball -10/3/01
Hunt continues despite 'foot & mouth' suspension call - 22/2/01
10th Anniversary of north west hunt saboteurs death to be remembered - 9/2/01
Hunt Saboteurs label 'assault' claim by hunt master as a 'sick and despicable' attempt to divert attention from anniversary of hunt saboteurs death - 3/2/01
Hunt saboteurs celebrate admission from local hunt that hunting will be banned - 17/1/01
Anti-hunt demonstrations planned by North West Hunt Saboteurs for Xmas 2000
Hunt saboteurs shut down three hare hunts on National Beagling Day -19/11/00
It ain't just about fluffy foxes never was, never will be! Hunt saboteurs prepare for the 'Glorious 12th'- 12/8/00
Badger killing area on Staffordshire/Derbyshire border - 10/8/00
Mid Cheshire Minkhounds Disband - July 2000
Extract from the submission of the Cheshire Foxhounds Hunt to the Burns enquiry - May 2000
Cheshire Forest Hunt trespass on high speed railway line, the same line as 3 hounds killed previously - 22/1/00
Hunt monitors call for Cheshire Forest Hunt to control supporters after monitor is attacked and video camera smashed - 26/11/05
A hunt supporter was today being sought by police in relation to an allegation of Criminal Damage after a hunt saboteur was attacked and had his video camera smashed as he monitor attempted to film the hunt. The incident occurred as the Cheshire Forest Hunt met at Peover Hall, Over Peover (near Knutsford) which also serves as the hunt kennels. Hunt saboteurs were present to monitor the hunt and film any incidences of illegal hunting, as they believe the hunt have been attempting to use the cover of a bird of prey to mask attempts to continue hunting in defiance of the hunt ban. The incident comes just 4 days after the kennel huntsman of the Avon Vale Foxhounds was arrested for attacking a hunt monitor and taking their camera.
Dawn Preston a spokesperson for the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association stated ‘Here we see a blatant attempt by a supporter to prevent hunt monitors from checking on the activities of the hunt – who we believe are breaking the law and continuing to literally hunt our wildlife to death. If they have nothing to hide why on earth do they feel the need to attack people who seek only to ensure that the law is being adhered to? This attack doe nothing but confirm to us that we are right to continue to devote time and effort to the Cheshire Forest Hunt, and makes us doubly determined to capture evidence of illegal hunting and pass it to the police as is necessary.’
She continued ‘The hunt monitor was simply filming the hunt when a supporter attacked him by taking hold of him around the neck, and attempted to snatch the video camera off him – breaking it in the process. We believe this was a desperate attempt to try and prevent us from getting evidence to show that the hunt are blatantly hunting illegally. The police attended the scene and a statement was made to the above effect. Police are now looking to detain the suspect for questioning, and we look forward to further helping them with their enquiries.’
'Don't believe the hype - the Hunting Act CAN and WILL work' - 31/10/05
The North West Hunt Saboteurs Association (NWHSA) stated today that they were ready for what would traditionally be the start of a new fox-hunting season on November 1st. Despite media reports to the contrary hunt saboteurs, who have over 40 years experience of sabotaging hunting activities, firmly believe that the 2004 Hunting Act is a workable piece of legislation, and that the end of hunting as we know it is well on the way.
The main change this season for saboteurs sees the replacement of essential equipment such as a hunting horn with the new sabotage tools of video camera and mobile phone - pre-programmed with the local police station phone numbers.
Paul Timpson, spokesperson for the NWHSA, stated 'Hunt saboteurs traditionally use the huntsman's own tools, such as a hunting horn, against him when sabotaging a hunt. These days our essential equipment is more likely to contain a video camera to capture any illegal hunting, and a mobile phone to report it’.
He also went on to say ‘That since hunting started again in September members of the NWHSA have been attending hunts in the north west gathering information and video footage of the hunts without their knowledge’.
‘The information gathered ranged from hunts using birds of prey to disguise hunting illegally to other hunts just blatantly breaking the law. Whilst out gathering video footage it was also noted that hunt supporters numbers were down on previous years’.
‘Hunts saboteurs are perhaps best placed of all people to tell the difference between legal and illegal hunting, and whilst the bloodsports fraternity try and claim it's 'business as usual' we know for a fact it is not. It's only a matter of time before the first prosecution will be brought under the Act.'
He continued 'Our years of experience with hunts around the north west we know those who really are likely to try and carry on hunting – and rest assured that we already have our cameras trained on them. The general public also seem to be fed up with the outrageous arrogance and attitude of the hunters - as the number of tip-offs we are receiving as to the whereabouts of hunts has reached record levels.
Hunt violence condemned as female hunt saboteur
attacked before hunt even starts hunting - 27/11/04
The North West Hunt Saboteurs Association (NWHSA) today called on the High Peak Hunt, based at Bakewell, Derbyshire to condemn the use of violence against hunt saboteurs after a female protestor was assaulted whilst attending the hunt as they met at Flagg, near Buxton (Derbyshire).
The saboteur was one of two protestors present as the hunt left the meet and set off down the road at the start of the day. A hunt member then launched an unprovoked attack on the female saboteur, leaving her with a heavily bleeding head wound. An ambulance was called and the saboteur later attended hospital for further investigation into the head injuries. Five stitches were needed in the head wound prior to her release.
Police have arrested a person present at the hunt in connection with the incident. Other saboteurs present in the area went on to sabotage the hunt and successfully prevented any hares being killed.
Dawn Preston, a spokesperson for the NWHSA stated ‘And so we
see, pretty much before the ink is dry on the Hunting Act, the real
face of the hunters and their supporters. The attack on the saboteur
was conducted before the hunt had even left the road from the meeting
point, and shows the level of desperation that the bloodsports fraternity
has sunk to.
This incident comes just two weeks after we took video footage of
the huntsman threatening saboteurs and trying to ride them down on
the road.’
She continued ‘It looks like the period to February 18th, when
the hunt ban takes effect, will be one of the most dangerous for
hunt saboteurs up and down the country. But the hunters should take
note that we have not come through 40 years of hunt sabotage to give
up now, and we will continue to save the lives of hunted animals
despite such intimidation and physical injury.
If the High Peak Hunt had a conscience they would publicly call on
their staff and supporters to cease such violent attacks, but as
they lack such basic moral standards we know not to hold our breath
on that one. The key thing for the hunters to note in all of this
is that despite such attacks saboteurs continue to sabotage hunts.
And so it will continue.’’
Notes to Editors:- The High Peak Hunt Huntsman, Nigel Cox, was filmed two weeks ago threatening saboteurs and trying to ride them down on a public road. Footage can be viewed at www.nwhsa.org.uk Nigel Cox has a previous conviction for firearms offences and was given a 3 year suspended prison sentence in 1985 after he blew a hole in the radiator of an occupied sab minibus with a shotgun. He was also given a conditional discharge for assault (he had struck a sab with the gun) and criminal damage to a camera.
A
report entitled ‘Two decades of hunt violence’can be
found at http://hsa.enviroweb.org/news/huntviol.html and this details past incidences of violence against hunt saboteurs.
West Yorkshire Grouse Shoot
halted but Saboteurs pay by being assaulted - 14/8/04
Hunt Saboteurs gathering in West Yorkshire this morning
managed to stop a grouse shoot involving over 60 people without a shot
being
fired and no grouse falling victim to the guns.
The shooting party
was discovered by the hunt saboteurs at 9.00am this morning following
a tip-off from a local anti-bloodsports supporter.
Hunt sabs then followed the shooting party up onto the moor before
the shooters were even able to leave their convoy of vehicles.
Unfortunately
stewards hired by the shooting syndicate from a company called ‘Countrywatch
(UK)’ took
it upon themselves to inflict a vicious assault on a small group
of protestors
isolated
on the moor at Snailsden Moor near Holmfirth, W. Yorks.
Such was police
concern for the missing protestors, they scrambled the force helicopter
to try and locate the injured protestors using
a heat-seeking camera. All four protestors were eventually found
but were sufferering from head injuries.
A three hour stand off ensued
when no shooting took place, during which a large numbers of police
arrived, the sabs then
left the moor
peacefully. Shortly afterwards, at 2.30pm, the shooting party was
observed leaving the moor meaning that not one grouse was killed
for ‘sport’.
Interestingly, all protestors were searched
by police using powers under Section 60 of the Public Order Act (no
weapons were found),
whilst the shooting party and stewards were allowed to leave the
moor without police interest.
The victims of the assaults have made
statements to W. Yorks police and are awaiting action on the matter.
Please see grouse shoot sab for images
(just click on thumbnail to get full image)
40
years on and still going strong, sadly - 19/12/03
Members of the North West Hunt saboteurs Association
(NWHSA) will be targeting hunts in Cheshire and Lancashire on Boxing
Day 26th
December. This action will also mark the 40th anniversary of the
first sabotage of a hunt by the Hunt Saboteurs Association.
In conjunction
anti-hunt protestors will be holding a peaceful demonstrations at
Cheshire Forest Hunt meet at The
Duke of Portland public house, Lach Dennis, Cheshire from 10.15am. The pub is located on the B5082
which runs from Northwich to Allostock. The pub is about three miles
south east of Northwich.
Also at the Holcombe Hunt meet at Rivington
Barn, Rivington, Lancashire from 11.00am. Rivington Barn is located
approx. three miles north
of Horwich off the A673 which runs between Horwich and Chorley.
The
aim to highlight the plight of the hunted animal during the so-called
season of goodwill to all, and also to raise the hunting
issue locally in light of the recent Hunting Bill which we hope will
see the end of all hunting with dogs.
NWHSA spokesperson Paul Timpson
stated ‘Our main objective
is saving lives, so some saboteurs will not be attending the demonstration,
but will be busy in the areas to be hunted. The hunts will not even
realise that they have been sabotaged and put it down to a bad day,
but we will know that our activities have saved lives’.
Hunt
saboteurs will be using covert "pre-meet" tactics
such as laying false trails, using sprays which cover the scent
of hunted foxes and hares or unblocking badger setts and fox earth
that
have previously blocked by hunts.
Notes to Editors:- The sabotage
of the South Devon Foxhounds meet at Torquay on Boxing Day 1963 with
smoke bombs and hunting horns
was such a success that the hunt completely called off the day. Some
of the tactics used then are still in use 40 years on, with the hunting
horns and mimicry of the huntsman's voice calls still part of our
non-violent direct action tactics.
Dying
for a pint? - 30/10/03
As another hunting season starts on November 1st, The North West Hunt
Saboteurs Association will be asking members of the public in Cheshire
and Lancashire to boycott pubs that host hunting events.
The NWHSA will be asking the general public to write or ring the pubs
involved and let them know that they will be boycotting their pub and
encouraging all your family and friends to do so.
Paul Timpson spokesperson for the NWHSA said ‘Hunt pubs perpetuate
the myth of hunting as a harmless rural tradition. By providing a venue
for hunts to hold social or fundraising events or by hosting a meet
prior to a days killing, these public houses are at the very heart
of this callous, cruel and bloody sport’.
He also stated that ‘The vast majority of people in this country
want to see a total ban on hunting with dogs and the NWHSA will continue
to use non violent direct tactics to save the lives of hunted animals’.
The pubs in Cheshire host meets of The Cheshire Forest Hunt, The Cheshire
Hunt, The Cheshire Beagles, The Forest and District Beagles and The
Royal Rock Beagles.
The pubs in Lancashire host meets of The Holcombe Hunt.
This
was received from The Portal Golf & Country Club Tarporley
- 13/3/03
On January 30th this year as a commercial venue for conferences, banquets
and such like functions, we hosted a dinner for the Cheshire Forest
Hunt.
Two days prior to this event on the 28th considerable damage was caused
to our course, as a result of action taken by we assume a group purporting
to be anti-hunt activists. This assumption was made on the basis of
anti-hunt slogans having been daubed on the course.
To protect out interests and that
of our members some of whom may share the views of
anti-blood sports groups we immediately issued instructions
to our banqueting staff and bookings office that we
would not be holding any further functions associated
with any hunt groups involved in the practice of hunting
live animals.
Despite this action we were the target of more wanton destruction of
our course last night.
In the interest of peace and harmony if your organisation can help
us to overcome being targeted again we will be most grateful whatever
the purpose of the protest being made has been, we have responded in
as practical a way as we can.
In conclusion should our assumptions be totally wrong and your organisation
or any other anti-blood sports group not be involved then we apologise
for any insinuations inferred.
The Management Portal Golf & Country Club Tarporley
Anti hunt demonstrations planned by North West Anti-hunt demonstrations planned for Christmas 2002 - 18/12/02
Hunt saboteurs in the north west, together with other anti-hunt
protestors, will stage anti-hunt demonstrations in Cheshire and
Lancashire over the Christmas period. The demonstrations hope to
highlight the plight of the hunted animal during the so-called
'season of goodwill to all', and also to raise the hunting issue
locally in light of the recent Hunting Bill which we hope will
see the end of all hunting with dogs.
The demonstrations will take places at the following locations:
Tuesday 24th December 2002 - Demonstration at the Cheshire Forest Hunt meet at The Goshawk public house, Mouldsworth, Cheshire from 11.00am. The pub is located on the B5393 which runs from Ashton to Frodsham, approx. one mile west of Delamere Forest. Mouldsworth train station is right opposite the pub.
Thursday 26th December 2002 - (Boxing Day) - Demonstration at the Cheshire Forest Hunt meet at The Duke of Portland public house, Lach Dennis, Cheshire from 10.30am. The pub is located on the B5082 which runs from Northwich to Allostock. The pub is about three miles south east of Northwich.
Thursday 26th December 2002 - (Boxing Day) - Demonstration at the Holcombe Hunt meet at Rivington Barn, Rivington, Lancashire from 11.00am. Rivington Barn is located approx. three miles north of Horwich off the A673 which runs between Horwich and Chorley.
Paul Timpson, spokesperson for the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated 'Our protests are designed to remind the hunt and its supporters that we find their activities to be an abhorrent attack on our wildlife, and that we will do all we can to bring about a total ban on hunting with dogs'.
Exploding The Hunting Lies Yet Again - 6/10/02
On 5/10/02 at 8.00am members of The North West Hunt Saboteurs Association (NWHSA) attended a cubbing meet of the Cheshire Forest Hunt at The Millstone Inn, near Whitley on the A49, south of Warrington. Cub hunting is the secret side of fox hunting, it is carried out well away from the eyes of the public. This callous activity is carried out at the beginning of autumn, by all foxhunts, to train new hounds to kill fox cubs.
Using various methods of non-violent direct action tactics they were to able to save the lives of many foxes. However, during the course of the morning the hunt put the pack of hounds into a kale field where they found a young vixen. When the vixen tried to escape the field she was forced back to the waiting hounds by a hunt supporter, where she was killed.
Three members of the NWHSA managed to save the body despite violence and threats from members of the hunt. The vixen was then rushed to a vets where a post mortem was carried out, the results of which are below:
I examined the above animal she had been dead for approximately two hours. There were puncture wounds to her neck, but not enough to cause death.
There were large puncture wounds to the right flank with heart and lungs exposed. The liver was prolapsed on the right flank. There were was a large wound to the ventral abdomen with the abdominal contents outside the body.
The likely cause of death is the disembowelment and puncture to the thoracic cavity combined.
Paul Timpson spokesperson for the NWHSA stated 'This
fox was clearly disemboweled by the hounds as there was a number
of wounds across the stomach, but no obvious bites to the neck. Hunt
supporters always claim that the fox is always killed by a 'quick'
nip to the back of the neck, yet again this post mortem exposes their
lies. It is extremely rare that we manage to retrieve any evidence
from hunts, especially something as horrific as this.
Pictures
of the above fox killed by The Cheshire Forest Hunt
Another fox killed by Cheshire Forest Hunt 20/12/01 (with post mortem)
Inglorious Twelfth faces opposition -10/8/02
Members of the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association (NWHSA) from the will be active on the Grouse Moors of the North West on Monday 12th August as the Grouse shooting season starts.
Past years have seen shooters staying away from the moors on the Twelfth itself following successful actions organised by the NWHSA. However, protestors will be searching the moors to make sure the grouse escape unharmed once again.
NWHSA spokesperson Paul Timpson explained 'Based on recent years we know that many traditional venues for the Inglorious Twelfth will not be hosting any shooting. We will still be vigilant and if we find anybody shooting we will stop them.'
Studies have blamed gamekeepers for the routine illegal destruction of eggs and shooting of adult birds of prey on Grouse Moors - including the endangered Hen Harrier. Numerous other wildlife crimes have been attributed to gamekeepers such as destruction of badger setts, illegal snaring and poisoning. Paul Timpson also commented: "Rearing birds to be shot involves killing out almost everything that moves except the grouse. When the season starts on August 12th, people will pay large sums of money to shoot artificially bred grouse. Grouse shooting involves inflicting cruelty on animals on the moors all year round."
Grouse moors are artificially managed environments that are annually burnt to promote heather growth.
Past Grouse shooting press releases: It ain't just about fluffy foxes never was, never will be! Hunt saboteurs prepare for the 'Glorious 12th'- 12/8/00, The Glorious 12th - shortage of grouse, no shortage of police! Saboteurs condemn policing as excessive- 13/8/99, Duke of Westminster and chums held at bay by Hunt Saboteurs (2) - 15/8/98 and Duke of Westminster and chums held at bay by Hunt Saboteurs! - 12/8/98
Demonstration at Cheshire Forest Hunt Ball - 2/3/02
NWHSA members held a peaceful demonstration outside The Mere Golf and Country Club, Mere near Knutsford where The Cheshire Forest Hunt held their annual hunt ball. The demonstration took place on 2/3/02 outside the main entrance to the Club.
Anti Hunt Protesters Leg Broken - 23/2/02
On Saturday 23rd February 20 members of The North West hunt Saboteurs Association (NWHSA) attended a meet of The Cheshire Forest Hunt which was being held at The Cock O' Budworth public house, Great Budworth, near Northwich.
Throughout the course of the day hunt saboteurs were subjected to threats and intimidation from hunt supporters. The incident occurred at 3.30pm when members of the NWHSA were using non-violent direct action tactics to prevent the hunt from killing a fox when they were confronted by 15 hunt supporters. During this confrontation one NWHSA member from Liverpool was pushed to the floor, pinned down and a hunt supporter picked up a large boulder and deliberately smashed it down onto his legs.
These hunt supporters then tried to leave the area, however, Cheshire Police officers who were in attendance managed to stop one of their vehicles and arrested one of the occupants who was then taken to Northwich Police station. (At the start of the day the police had warned various supporters of the hunt)
Paul Timspon a spokesperson for the NWHSA said 'This season there seems to be an upsurge in violence from hunt supporters as they realise that bloodsports will soon be banned'. He also said 'We know we are winning the argument when hunts start resorting to violence and intimidation'
The injured hunt saboteur was taken to hospital for further treatment.
Taking one day as a snapshot, Saturday 19 January 2002, attacks were made on hunt saboteurs at 5 different hunts across the country showing how widespread the problem is:
- Woodland Pytchley Hunt, Northants. A hunt steward was arrested and taken to Corby police station after a hunt saboteur was attacked.
- Four Burrow Hunt, Cornwall. A hunt saboteur was taken to hospital in an ambulance after being run over by a horse trailer.
- Vale of Aylesbury Hunt, Hertfordshire. A hunt saboteur was driven at by an angry hunt supporter and had to throw himself clear to avoid being hit.
- High Peak Harriers, Derbyshire. A hunt supporter drove at hunt saboteurs. She hit one female sab who landed on her bonnet and became trapped between two vehicles.
- Vale of White Horse Hunt, Gloucestershire. Hunt sabs driven at by van and one of them clipped.
Hunt Sabs Left to Rescue Hunt Hound After Cliff Fall - 30/1/02
Hunt saboteurs in the north west today condemned the Holcombe Hunt after its supporters, riders and staff showed little regard yet again for the fate of a hound which was injured after falling 30 feet down a cliff.
The incident occurred on 30/1/02 when the hunt met at Holt Lane Farm, Brindle, near Chorley, which is the home of Hunt Master, Arnold Greenhalgh. Hunt saboteurs were in attendance to use non-violent direct action in order to prevent the hunt from killing foxes or hares following a tip off from a from a concerned member of the local community.
During the course of the day members of the NWHSA managed to save the lives of many hares and rabbits using tactics that have proved successful in the past. However, during the afternoon the pack of hounds was then seen hunting near a cliff face, when one of the hounds fell. The saboteurs were at the incident within seconds to attend to the hound. One saboteur then picked up the dying hound, which had blood streaming from its mouth, and ran over to the nearby road to get help. Despite the presence of 20 hunt supporters at the road they all ignored the saboteurs pleas for help and it was not until a member of the hunt staff decided to intervene after several minutes that a supporter reluctantly decided to put the injured foxhound in his Landrover. It is not known what happen to the injured hound but sabs present feared for its life, especially after the unnecessary delay in taking it for treatment.
Following the incident Paul Timpson spokesperson for the NWHSA said 'The complete lack of concern shown by the hunt and their supporters over the incident is disgraceful and highlights the hunt's blatant disregard for life - whether it be fox, hare or hound'. 'It also goes to show that the hunt see the hounds as expendable as they just carried on hunting as if nothing had happened'.
'Following a incident five years ago when sabs helped save the lives of two hounds from nearly drowning in a reservoir, it would be appreciated if the hunt would publicly thanks the sabs for their help yet again'.
Dead Fox Presented to Hunt Official After Cruel Killing - 22/12/01
Members of the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association (NWHSA) presented a fox killed by The Cheshire Forest Hunt to a member of the hunt to draw attention to the cruelty and barbarity of hunting with dogs, which has just resumed in Cheshire.
The presentation took place on 22/12/01 at the home of Hunt Secretary, John Mawdsley.
Paul Timpson, spokesperson for the NWHSA said 'It is extremely rare that we manage to retrieve any evidence from hunts, especially something as horrific as this. We want to ask this member of the hunt why he feels he can justify doing this when 80% of the public are opposed to hunting.'
'Hunters will always tell you that the fox does not suffer because the hounds kill them with a quick nip to the back of the neck. This fox was killed near to members of the NWHSA and from what they saw and the state of its body, this quite clearly did not happen'.
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Anti-Hunt Demonstration at Chester Racecourse and in Delamere
NWHSA members held a banner demonstration outside Chester Racecourse where The Cheshire Hunt held their annual hunt ball. The demonstration took place on 30/11/01 outside the main entrance to the racecourse.
We also held a banner demonstration outside The Fourways Restaurant, Delamere where The Cheshire Forest Hunt were holding a party for their young supporters. The demonstration took place on 20/12/01 outside the main entrance to the restaurant, which is located near the A556 by the junction of the B5152.
Both demonstrations took place to highlight public opposition to practice of hunting with hounds.
Paul Timpson, spokesperson for the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association, commented. 'We held the protest to remind the hunt and its supporters that we find their 'sporting' activities not only to be inherently cruel, but also an abhorrent attack on our wildlife. And whilst the Government continues to delay legislation to ban hunting with hounds, we will endeavor to do all we can to keep the issue in the public eye.'
He continued 'Until such time as this cruel, barbaric and unnecessary torment of our wildlife is relegated to the history books then demonstrations like this will continue, and hunt saboteurs will use non-violent direct action in the killing fields. As hunting resumed on the 17/12/01 our presence should also remind the hunting fraternity that we have not gone away, and have no plans to do so.'
Dinosaurs meet in Tarporley! - 30/10/01
Anti-hunt campaigners held a banner demonstration outside the Swan Hotel in Tarporley on 30/10/01. The Swan is the venue where members of the Tarporley Hunt Club, the oldest surviving hunt club in England, will meet for their annual dinner. The demonstration is planned to highlight public opposition to practice of hunting with hounds.
Paul
Timpson, spokesperson for the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association,
commented 'The Tarporley Hunt Club was set up over 230 years ago
by hare hunting enthusiasts. Over two centuries down the line and
the hare can now be found on a list of species in decline or under
threat (UK Biodiversity Steering Group report 1995). Opinion polls
find consistently that the general public wants to see an end to
hunting with hounds. At the start of this year in a free vote 387
MP's voted in favour of a hunting ban with 155 voting to for voluntary
regulation and 182 voted to continue hunting under licence. But
do these dinosaurs listen? They do not and we are here demonstrating
today to remind them that they themselves will shortly be extinct'.
Until such time as this cruel, barbaric and unnecessary torment of our wildlife is relegated to the history books then demonstrations like this will continue, and hunt saboteurs will use non-violent direct action in the killing fields'.
Hunt Saboteurs celebrate as Duke cancels Glorious 12th Grouse benefit from Foot and Mouth restrictions - 2/8/01
Hunt saboteurs in the north west were today celebrating news reports that the Duke of Westminster has cancelled the traditional Glorious 12th' shoots on his estate near Lancaster, Lancashire due to the Foot and Mouth restrictions. The Duke's Abbeystead estate is situated in an area deemed to be affected by the current outbreak of the disease, and media reports quoted estate manager Rod Banks stating that the Duke had decided to batten down the hatches' and cancel the shoots planned for the start of the grouse shooting season. Hunt saboteurs from around the north west would have been due to descend on Abbeystead to use non-violent direct action to prevent the shooters bagging any birds.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated Obviously we are delighted that the moors around Abbeystead will not resound with the dreadful sound of guns blasting birds out of the sky for fun. Sadly the current Foot and Mouth outbreak means that other animals, namely sheep and cattle, are being needlessly slaughtered in a pathetic attempt to halt a disease that can be stopped with simple vaccination, but at least the birds are benefiting from a quiet start to the grouse shooting season. The Duke of Westminster's estate has long been a firm favourite of ours for a visit on the 12th as it has always attracted a large shooting party, and thankfully this year our presence will not be needed.'
She continued The Duke has not had a good shooting season for several years now, what with grouse stocks depleted by disease and poor weather, not to mention the complete shut down of shooting activities by the presence of hunt saboteurs on more than one occasion. We are of course not only pleased on behalf of the birds that will live to fly for many more days, but also have a selfish interest in the cancellation as it can be quite scary standing in front of someone with a loaded gun! However we believe that the practice of breeding birds to simply be shot out of the sky for profit is an abhorrent activity, and as such will seek to stop it whenever and wherever we can.'
Judge
rules that hunt saboteurs subjected to 'unlawful imprisonment'.
Damages of £4,000 awarded - 28/3/01
Eight hunt saboteurs, six from the north west, were today awarded damages
by Manchester Crown Court against the Cheshire Constabulary following
a judgement that the police had subjected the eight to unlawful imprisonment.
The ruling related to a case brought against the
Cheshire Police by the saboteurs following a mass arrest of 28 people
at Haughton Moss, near Nantwich, Cheshire during the 1993/94 hunting
season.
His Honour Judge Baker presiding ruled that although the initial arrests had been lawful, the saboteurs were not released when it was clear that the hunt had finished, and as such from this time their continued detention was deemed to be unlawful. Damages totalling over £4,000 were awarded to the hunt saboteurs.
The incident occurred on the 11th December 1993 when around 80 saboteurs attempted to sabotage the Cheshire Fox Hounds, who were due to meet at the Nags Head Public House at Haughton Moss. Several hunt saboteurs vehicles were prevented from attending the hunt meet as the police effected a road block en-route and arrested the saboteurs present in order to 'Prevent a Breach of the Peace'. Those arrested where taken to Crewe Police Station and held for approximately 5 hours before being released without charge.
Hunt saboteurs call hunt 'irresponsible' for failing to cancel hunt ball -10/3/01
Hunt saboteurs in the north west today called the Cheshire Forest Foxhounds 'irresponsible' for failing to cancel their annual hunt ball on a day when the Chief Veterinary Officer warned that the Foot & Mouth outbreak was far from over. The Cheshire Forest Foxhounds, based at Lower Peover near Knutsford, Cheshire, will tonight hold their annual hunt ball at the Park Royal International Hotel despite the obvious risks involved as huntsmen, riders, farmers and other countryside dwellers mix freely. This move comes shortly after an incident were the hunt was out still out hunting across farmland on the very day the Countryside Alliance announced a voluntary suspension of hunting activities as a means of preventing the spread of Foot and Mouth.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated, 'The Countryside Alliance, the bastion of bloodsports, saw fit to cancel the planned 'Livelihood and Liberty' march, planned for next weekend, as both a precautionary measure against this highly infectious disease and also as a mark of respect for farmers due to the current crisis caused by Foot and Mouth. It seems however that yet again the Cheshire Forest Foxhounds feel that somehow they are exempt from such precautionary measures, and instead press on with their 'end of season' celebrations regardless.'
She continued 'As usual we will hold a banner demonstration at the entrance to the hotel to remind the hunt and its supporters that we find their 'sporting' activities inherently cruel and abhorrent. As the hotel is located directly off the motorway and as such does not involve travel through the countryside we feel we will not in any way risk spreading infection. The same cannot be said for those attending the hunt ball, many of whom will be coming from farms themselves.'
Hunt continues despite 'foot & mouth' suspension call - 22/2/01
Hunt saboteurs in the north west today condemned the Cheshire Forest Foxhounds for hunting for almost 5 hours across countryside which included farmland on the very day the Countryside Alliance, the bastion of bloodsports, announced a seven day suspension of hunting activities as a means of preventing the spread of 'foot and mouth' disease. The hunt, meeting at White Barn Farm, Over Alderley near Alderley Edge today, hunted from 12 noon until approx. 4.30pm. 8 hunt saboteurs were present throughout using non-violent direct action tactics to ensure that the hunt did not kill.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated, 'The hunting fraternity likes to tell us over and over again that they are the 'guardians of the land' but here we see an astonishing lack of common sense. A pack of hounds running across open countryside for almost 5 hours is a marvelous way to spread this highly infectious disease. Saboteurs present with the hunt had news of the suspension relayed to them by mobile phone as soon as it was announced, and it seems as if the hunt themselves were the last to know!' She continued 'The end of both the fox and hare hunting season is almost upon us, and this seven-day suspension of hunting we hope will bring any early peace to the countryside for our persecuted wildlife.'
10th Anniversary of north west hunt saboteurs death remembered - 9/2/01
Hunt
saboteurs in the North West conducted a banner drop on Friday 9th February,
the
10th anniversary of the death of a saboteur killed in
Cheshire, to remind the general public of the losses suffered in
the long battle to secure a ban on hunting with hounds. The banner
was placed in a prominent place within Chester city centre and carried
the slogan '10 years after the death of Mike Hill - How many more
lives must be lost before a total ban on hunting with hounds?'. Mike
Hill, a Merseyside hunt saboteur, was killed in 1991 whilst sabotaging
the Cheshire Beagles. He was the first hunt saboteur to be killed,
with the death of Tom Worby following two years later in 1993.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association, commented, 'Despite usual image of hunt saboteurs portrayed by the media, hunt saboteurs are certainly more likely to be the victims of violence rather than the perpetrators of it. The fact that two hunt saboteurs have been killed whilst simply doing all they can to save the lives of hunted animals is proof of this, and we will never let their names be forgotten. Mike Hill died whilst simply trying to prevent the torture of our wildlife, and the hunt concerned has never shown any compassion or remorse. No doubt they will continue to hunt this week, even if one of their usual days hunting falls on the actual anniversary of Mike's death - and that speaks volumes about the mentality of the people who fight to continue to practice this abhorrent 'sport'.'
Hunt
Saboteurs label 'assault' claim by hunt master as a 'sick
and despicable' attempt to divert attention from anniversary
of hunt saboteurs death - 3/2/01
The Hunt Saboteurs Association, together with hunt saboteurs in the north
west, today condemned claims by a hunt master that he was assaulted as
a 'sick and despicable' attempt to divert media attention away from the
approaching 10th anniversary of the death of the first
hunt saboteur to be killed whilst actively sabotaging a hunt. Mr G Murray,
Master of the Cheshire Beagles Hunt, based at High Wych, Cheshire has
today alleged that he was attacked by saboteurs present at the hunt who
met at Wrenbury, near Nantwich in Cheshire. Friday the 9th of February
marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Merseyside hunt saboteur,
Mike Hill, who was killed after being run over by a vehicle driven by
the then Huntsman, Alan Summersgill.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, commented 'This
allegation is a complete fabrication. Hunt saboteurs were indeed present
at the Cheshire Beagles today, complete with police presence from their
arrival to departure. Indeed saboteurs attending hunts in Cheshire today
were subjected to the attention of 4 riot vans, 3 police cars and at
least two unmarked cars. A Chief Inspector was present throughout monitoring
the activities of hunt saboteurs and not one person was questioned on
any matter, let alone arrested!'
She continued, 'This seems to me to be a blatant attempt at media spin
by the bastions of bloodsports, the Countryside Alliance, who seek only
to suppress media attention to the fact that 10 years ago this week a
hunt saboteur was killed whilst simply trying to prevent the hunt from
killing our wildlife. They certainly do not want the public reminding
that human lives as well as animal lives have been lost in the battle
to bring about a ban on hunting with hounds. Hunt saboteurs risk both
verbal and physical attack each time they use non-violent direct action
to try to save the live of a hunted animal, and we ask the Government
just how many more lives must be lost before we see a total ban on hunting
with hounds?
The
picture to the right was taken on 14/9/97 by anti-hunt protesters
as they did a peaceful protest outside the Cheshire Beagles kennels.
The story appeared in the Manchester Evening News on 15/9/97. As
you can see from the picture George Murray is carrying a pickaxe
handle (which he used to threaten people on the demo with).
Hunt
saboteurs celebrate admission from local hunt that hunting
will be banned! - 17/1/01
Hunt saboteurs in the north west were in jubilant mood today after hearing
a Joint Master of a Lancashire hunt admit that a ban on hunting was inevitable.
This admission, coming on the eve of today's vote in the House of Commons
to decide which of the three options in the Hunting
Bill should proceed, is one of the first instances of a hunt Master admitting
that the end of hunting with hounds is in sight. Arnold Greenhalgh, Joint
Master of the Holcombe Harriers based in Bury, Lancashire, stated in
an interview with the Lancashire Evening Telegraph
that 'We are, to be honest, expecting it to be banned. We don't know
what we will do.'
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association
commented 'We won the arguments over the cruelty of hunting with hounds
many years ago, and of course it is wonderful now to see a Government
Bill which could ban hunting with hounds proceeding through Parliament.
What we have here has got to be the icing on the cake - what more could
we have asked for than a clear admission from a senior figure in a hunt
that we regularly sabotage that even the hunters themselves accept the
inevitable! No doubt Mr Greenhalgh will be receiving some very irate
phone calls from the Countryside Alliance, the bastion of bloodsports,
who certainly won't thank him for his honesty.'
She continued 'The Holcombe Harriers are one of the oldest hunts in the
country, and so maybe it's quite fitting that they are one of the first
to admit that their time is nearly up. Like Mr Greenhalgh, we know that
the public will for a ban is unstoppable but until a ban has finally
relegated this barbaric sport to the history books hunt saboteurs will
continue to intervene to ensure that the hunted animal gets away with
it's life.'
Anti-hunt
demonstrations planned by North West Hunt Saboteurs for
Xmas 2000
Hunt saboteurs in the north west, together with other anti-hunt protestors,
will stage anti-hunt demonstrations in Cheshire and Lancashire over the
Christmas period. The demonstrations hope to highlight the plight of
the hunted animal during the so-called 'season of goodwill to all', and
also to raise the hunting issue locally in light of the recent Government
introduced Hunting Bill which could see hunting with hounds relegated
to the history books.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association,
stated 'Although hunt saboteurs have been regularly active throughout
the North West during the last four months, the Christmas period, and
particularly Boxing Day, is traditionally an important time for the hunting
fraternity. Our protests are designed to remind the hunt and its supporters
that we find their activities to be an abhorrent attack on our wildlife,
and that we will do all we can to bring about a total ban on hunting
with hounds. The current Hunting Bill being considered by Parliament
includes a 'middle way' option, which would allow hunting to continue
with much stricter regulation, and we can never accept this as we believe
there can never be any compromise when it comes to inherent cruelty to
an animal.'
For more details on demonstrations
Hunt
saboteurs shut down three hare hunts on National Beagling
Day! 19/11/00
Hunt saboteurs in the North West claimed a victory yesterday after successfully
sabotaging three hare hunts on 'National Beagling Day'. Saboteurs from
around the region converged on the Nags Head, Haughton Moss, near Nantwich
on discovering that three beagle packs (hunting hares on foot with the
use of beagle dogs) were due to hunt together in an attempt to celebrate 'National
Beagling Day', a day when the hunting fraternity aim to promote their
so-called 'sport'. Both a morning and an afternoon hunt took place, and
saboteurs used non-violent direct action to ensure that no hares were
killed.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association
stated 'Hunt saboteurs in the region managed to sabotage the same number
of beagle packs in the north-west than actually bothered to advertise
nationally! Far from being a key date in the hunting calendar, National
Beagling Day has developed over the years into something of an embarrassment
to the hunting fraternity, who seek to keep the debate to fox hunting.
After all, what threat to crops or livestock does a hare honestly represent?'
She continued 'We were present with the hunts from the moment they left
the pub car-pack and our success can be measured not only by the fact
that not one hare was killed, but also by an overheard comment from one
of the hunt Masters that he refused to continue trying to hunt as he 'wasn't
getting anywhere with that lot (hunt saboteurs) around'! Such comments
do nothing other prove that what we do is extremely effective and until
such time as a ban on hunting with hounds is in place then we will continue
to sabotage hunts in order to save the lives of hunted
animals.'
The hunts present were the Cheshire Beagles (based at Higher Wych, near
Whitchurch), the Forest & District Beagles (based in Macclesfield)
and the Royal Rock Beagles (based in Clwyd).
It
ain't just about fluffy foxes - never
was, never will be! Hunt saboteurs prepare for the 'Glorious
12th'- 12/8/00
Hunt saboteurs will today take to the grouse moors in an effort to prevent
the start of the Grouse shooting season living up to its traditional 'Glorious' name.
Saboteurs in the traditional shooting areas of Yorkshire, Lancashire,
Cumbria and Scotland will be joined by hunt saboteurs from the rest of
the country in taking non-violent direct action to prevent shooting parties
from either taking to the moors, or from shooting when they arrive there.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated 'Many
people seem to think that our sabotage activities are confined to the
protection of the fox but this has never been, and indeed never will
be, the case. The Hunt Saboteurs Association has been in existence for
almost 40 years, and our Memorandum of Association clearly states that
we exist to 'sabotage, where practicable, the pursuit, harassment or
killing of any sentient creature for sport, pleasure or population control.until
such time as these practices cease to exist.''
She continued 'Grouse shooting clearly falls easily within our remit
at it is a sport, undertaken by the participants for pleasure and by
the organisers for profit. Put plainly birds are reared purely and simply
to be blasted from the sky for profit, and that is an activity that we
find totally abhorrent. Saboteurs will prevent shooting from taking place
from day one of the Grouse shooting season, either by occupying the shooting
butts and forcing the shooters to break their guns and pack up, or by 'beating' the
birds away from the guns. In past years we have totally shut down the
likes of the Duke of Westminster's large shooting estate in Lancashire,
and we hope to have another successful 12th this year.'
Grouse shooting begins on the infamous 'Glorious Twelfth' and ends in
December. In four months some half a million birds will be shot. Although
the birds are not hand-reared, their numbers are kept artificially high
by gamekeepers who rigorously exterminate their natural predators. Grouse
are known as 'the king of gamebirds' because of their fast flight. This
speed also makes a clean kill difficult and results in birds being shot
without instantly falling to the ground, and many fly on wounded.
Badger killing area on Staffordshire/Derbyshire border - 10/8/00
What will the badger culling trial involve?
The trial is intended to take five to seven years and will test 3 strategies: proactive culling, reactive culling and no culling. The 'proactive' strategy will attempt to kill all badgers in 10 randomly selected areas, each of 100 km2. The 'reactive' strategy will be conducted in a further 10 randomly selected areas of 100 km2 where all of the social groups of badgers with access to the farm where there had been a herd breakdown will be killed. A final 10 areas of 100 km2 will be randomly assigned to a 'no culling' strategy.
Each of the three strategies will be carried out in 10 different areas of the country, with 'triplets' of each strategy in each area. Eight of the ten areas of the trial have been announced so far. These are Gloucestershire/Herefordshire border, Devon/Cornwall border, East Cornwall, East Herefordshire, North Wiltshire, West Cornwall, Derbyshire/Staffordshire border and Devon/Somerset border..
Latest information on the killing
In December 1998, MAFF started killing badgers in the 'proactive' Putford trial area on the Cornwall/Devon border. 238 badgers were cage-trapped and shot. Killing started again in October 1999. An unknown number of badgers were killed in the 'reactive' Hartland area of the north Devon triplet in May/June 1999. Killing started again in October 1999. Killing started in East Cornwall in October 1999, where 246 badgers were trapped and killed. Killing in the Gloucestershire/Herefordshire triplet started on 18 January 2000 and ended around 29 January. The cull in the East Herefordshire triplet had been temporarily suspended - its status is now uncertain. MAFF is set to begin killing badgers after 30 April 2000, when the close season ends.
Mid Cheshire Minkhounds Disband - July 2000
According to the Summer 2000 issue of Hounds, a pro-hunt magazine, the Mid Cheshire Minkhounds have disbanded. The hunt was formed in 1995 by Terry Hall a well known follower of the Cheshire Foxhounds and was registered with The Masters of Mink Hounds in 1996. They had their first official meet on the River Gowy at Beeston. We can only speculate as to why they disbanded after FIVE years.
Extract from the submission of the Cheshire Foxhounds Hunt to the Burns enquiry - May 2000
The Cheshire Hunt has had a difficult time with Hunt
saboteurs and their activists. Apart from those against
hunting we have suffered a backlash from the death of Michael Hill on
February 9th 1991. He was a young anti who was killed in an accident
in connection with the Cheshire Beagles. Around the anniversary each
year antis have attacked very strongly as well as at other times. They
have blown hunting horns and tried to draw hounds on to roads; they have
sprayed hounds with aerosols and unpleasant substances. At times they
have attacked followers, hit horses, smashed vehicles and slashed tyres.
In the early 1990s the Hunt had to employ guards to protect vehicles
whilst the Hunt was out. One year when a hunting person was at the Tarporley
Hunt Club dinner red paint was thrown all over his house and windows
and the vehicles outside badly damaged.
The above hunt does not mention the fact that their Master of the hunt, Mr David Woolley, was given a police caution in March 1996 after making an early morning phone call in which he repeatedly threatened a LACS representative.
Vinny Faal, Chairman of the Sharston Terrier and Lucher Club arrested and speaker at many Countryside Alliance rallies was arrested outside a hotel in Southport for allegedly punching a female sab during an anti-hare coursing demo. He was taken to the local police station where he was charged with Section 4 of the public order act.
(Click on image to get full version)
Cheshire Forest Hunt trespass on high speed railway line, the same line as 3 hounds killed previously - 22/1/00
Hunt saboteurs today witnessed the Cheshire Forest Foxhounds trespassing on the high-speed Manchester to London mainline, the same line were the hunt have had three hounds killed in the past two years. Hounds were spotted on the line at Manor Farm, Over Peover, near Knutsford, Cheshire at approx. 12.30pm by hunt saboteurs, who are present in the area using non-violent direct action to prevent the hunt from killing. Hounds remained on the line for approx. 5 mins and a Whipper-In from the hunt (hunt staff) was also trespassing.
Dawn Preston, spokesperson from the North West Hunt Saboteurs Association commented 'Yet again we see the hunt display their blatant disregard for life, whether it be human or animal. This hunt had two hounds killed on the same line in November 1998, and one in the year prior to that. Not only do they consistently endanger the lives of their hounds, but what of the passengers in the trains who use this important railway?'
She continued 'No doubt the hunt will try to blame this incident on us, as they have done in the past. However hunt saboteurs aim to save lives, not endanger them and we would never lead any animal into danger. We have reported the incident to the British Transport Police and have taken pictures of the incident, which we will have developed once the days' hunting is finished'.