Friday, May 28, 2004
BOXING DAY MEET 2003
THEY rode out again on Boxing Day, just like they have done for the last 30 years.
Despite the threat that the bloodsport could be banned, members of the Fitzwilliam Hunt were in defiant mood as they met in Stilton. Chris Sealey reports.
THEY came in their hundreds. Young and old, parents and their children, they all turned out to watch the Fitzwilliam Hunt meet in Stilton on Boxing Day.
Then came the riders on horseback and their hounds.
By 12.30pm, the village was at a standstill.
Through all the noise of chatter, the barking of the dogs and horses' hooves, boomed the voice of George Bowyer, the joint-master of the hunt.
It was almost like the scene of a film as – sitting high on his jet black horse, Denford – he removed his hat to address the crowds.
"I'd like to welcome everybody to our traditional meet at Stilton," he said to applause.
"They told us we wouldn't be here – but we're here yet again."
That brought cheers from the people gathered.
Mr Bowyer continued: "It's very nice this year to be able to meet without a threat hanging over us.
"We have a freedom in a democracy like ours for people to make their own choices – we'll never give that fight up."
That brought even louder cheers and thunderous applause.
The Fitzwilliam Hunt has met outside the The Bell Inn, in Stilton, for more than 30 years.
But, for the last few years, the huntsmen and women have had a battle on their hands to keep that tradition alive for the next 30.
The Government has spoken several times of banning foxhunting, but those at the Fitzwilliam Hunt on Boxing Day remain defiant.
Before the event started, Mr Bowyer said he believed that opinion in favour of hunting was on the increase and that the public did not want to see the tradition banned forever from the British countryside.
He said: "As we've become more political, more and more people are coming round to our way of thinking.
"They understand that hunting is a matter of personal choice.
"That it's a minor issue that doesn't need Government control."
A recent survey found that the vast majority of the British public feel that the Government has more important issues to deal with than hunting.
An NOP poll commissioned by the Countryside Alliance found that 98 per cent of people thought issues such as the state of the NHS, universities and the problem of terrorism and asylum seekers were more important.
Simon Hart, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: "It hardly needs emphasising, but this poll shows what everyone, other than Labour backbenchers, knows – hunting is near the bottom of the public's list of priorities."
On the streets of Stilton on Boxing Day, there were no anti-hunt protesters to be seen.
If there were any there, they were keeping very quiet.
Nick Farnden (40), who lives near Huntingdon, was visiting the hunt for the first time.
He said: "It struck us that this could be the last opportunity.
"I think it's more to do with class issues than the welfare of the foxes. I think it would be a shame if it was ended."
Farmer Steve Chapman (45), from near Oundle, has been involved in the hunt for more than 30 years. His wife rides in the hunt, while two of his three young daughters also take part.
He said: "The hunt is a traditional thing, and it ought to be kept."
Speaking of the protesters, he said: "They've got no idea what the countryside involves, or the way British society runs."
As the crowds gathered, glasses of whiskey and port provided by The Bell Inn were handed out to the riders.
Then, after Mr Bowyer's rousing speech, a bugler sounded and about 30 of them and their dogs set off.
They intend to be back next Boxing Day – and for many years after that.
Despite the threat that the bloodsport could be banned, members of the Fitzwilliam Hunt were in defiant mood as they met in Stilton. Chris Sealey reports.
THEY came in their hundreds. Young and old, parents and their children, they all turned out to watch the Fitzwilliam Hunt meet in Stilton on Boxing Day.
Then came the riders on horseback and their hounds.
By 12.30pm, the village was at a standstill.
Through all the noise of chatter, the barking of the dogs and horses' hooves, boomed the voice of George Bowyer, the joint-master of the hunt.
It was almost like the scene of a film as – sitting high on his jet black horse, Denford – he removed his hat to address the crowds.
"I'd like to welcome everybody to our traditional meet at Stilton," he said to applause.
"They told us we wouldn't be here – but we're here yet again."
That brought cheers from the people gathered.
Mr Bowyer continued: "It's very nice this year to be able to meet without a threat hanging over us.
"We have a freedom in a democracy like ours for people to make their own choices – we'll never give that fight up."
That brought even louder cheers and thunderous applause.
The Fitzwilliam Hunt has met outside the The Bell Inn, in Stilton, for more than 30 years.
But, for the last few years, the huntsmen and women have had a battle on their hands to keep that tradition alive for the next 30.
The Government has spoken several times of banning foxhunting, but those at the Fitzwilliam Hunt on Boxing Day remain defiant.
Before the event started, Mr Bowyer said he believed that opinion in favour of hunting was on the increase and that the public did not want to see the tradition banned forever from the British countryside.
He said: "As we've become more political, more and more people are coming round to our way of thinking.
"They understand that hunting is a matter of personal choice.
"That it's a minor issue that doesn't need Government control."
A recent survey found that the vast majority of the British public feel that the Government has more important issues to deal with than hunting.
An NOP poll commissioned by the Countryside Alliance found that 98 per cent of people thought issues such as the state of the NHS, universities and the problem of terrorism and asylum seekers were more important.
Simon Hart, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: "It hardly needs emphasising, but this poll shows what everyone, other than Labour backbenchers, knows – hunting is near the bottom of the public's list of priorities."
On the streets of Stilton on Boxing Day, there were no anti-hunt protesters to be seen.
If there were any there, they were keeping very quiet.
Nick Farnden (40), who lives near Huntingdon, was visiting the hunt for the first time.
He said: "It struck us that this could be the last opportunity.
"I think it's more to do with class issues than the welfare of the foxes. I think it would be a shame if it was ended."
Farmer Steve Chapman (45), from near Oundle, has been involved in the hunt for more than 30 years. His wife rides in the hunt, while two of his three young daughters also take part.
He said: "The hunt is a traditional thing, and it ought to be kept."
Speaking of the protesters, he said: "They've got no idea what the countryside involves, or the way British society runs."
As the crowds gathered, glasses of whiskey and port provided by The Bell Inn were handed out to the riders.
Then, after Mr Bowyer's rousing speech, a bugler sounded and about 30 of them and their dogs set off.
They intend to be back next Boxing Day – and for many years after that.
