Friday, May 28, 2004
FITZWILLIAM JOB LOSSES - 2001
Many people believe the sport to be cruel and an out-dated, unnecessary method of pest control. But the horsemen and women say banning the sport will put a stop not just to the hunt, but to a way of life that is centuries old.
The Fitzwilliam Hunt, which meets near Peterborough, supports the livelihoods of an army of people who are involved in a wide variety of ways.To them, the hunt is a way of life and a source of income on which they rely.
Master of the hunt George Bowyer (36) said the 18 people featured in the picture were just some of those affected. He said: There are more like 50 people who will be affected if the Fitzwilliam Hunt stops. The people here today are just those who could turn up.
In some ways, walking into the stables and kennels at stately Milton Hall is like walking into the past the ancient buildings are largely untouched, only the cars place them in the 21st century. The hunt is based in the 5,000 scenic acres of parkland around the hall and the staff at the stables live in the old servants quarters. In this picture-postcard setting lives a small community of people who run the Fitzwilliam hunt and who say this preserved piece of old England is now under threat.
Mr Bowyer added: A lot of horses are mainly kept for hunting. The British equestrian trade association estimates that the number of horses would drop from 2.4 million to 1.4 million over the next 10 years if hunting was banned. Even if people kept their horses, the animals would not need much attention if they were not made to work. This would mean all the small livery yards would shut down and more expensive urban yards would open. Rural people would not be able to survive if they lost their winter income. Hunting is also a social event, because for all these people, their social lives and their incomes are linked together. It s a way of life.
There are six people employed at Milton Park to look after the 70 hounds and 12 horses, who live and work on the estate. They help prepare the animals for the winter hunts which they say perform a vital service in keeping fox numbers under control. The kennels also provide a vital service to local farmers by removing the carcasses of dead animals, which are taken to an on-site slaughter house.
Samantha Carter is one of three grooms who live in the servants quarters and are employed full-time to look after the 12 horses in the stables. She said: We have to feed them, exercise them and get them ready for hunting. If we lose our jobs we will also lose our lodgings as well, so this is really worrying for us.
George Adams (49) is a huntsman and helps look after the dogs in the kennels. He said: I would lose my job if there was a ban. I ve been doing this job since I left school and at my age it s hard to get anything else.
Jo Jameson (35), from Wellingborough, looks after horses for the hunt in the winter. She said: Eighty per cent of my work is for the hunt horses. I rely on that income. Because I m self-employed, if hunting is stopped I won t be eligible for any benefits from the Government. I m extremely worried by developments. I have been been doing this job since I was 16 what else am I supposed to do?
Dr Stuart Thorne (33) is one of five vets working at a clinic near Huntingdon who look after horses. He said: The hunt provides us with a considerable amount of our work. Without hunting, the practice may survive but we could not employ all five vets. The hunt also runs pony clubs and point to point races, so a ban would affect us dramatically.
Saddler Michael Longland (54) said: My takings would be knocked down by 20 per cent. Also, fox hunting is my hobby. This is not just about hunting we are a community brought together through hunting. If hunting was to die a whole way of life would go with it.
All these people could lose their jobs if the Fitzwilliam hunt is forced to stop.
Those directly employed by the hunt and mostly living on site are:
1: Gary Edwards, kennelman at Milton Park, looks after the hounds.
2: Rob Wilson (29), first whip, assists the huntsmen on hunt days and also helps in the kennels.
3: George Adams (49), huntsman, assists with work in the kennels.
4: Alison Howard (41) is head girl at the stables.
5: Samantha Carter (29), 6: Christina Arling (21) and 7: Hilary Saunders are grooms who live above the stables.
8: Bob Bartlett (36), a farrier, fits horseshoes.
9: George Bowyer, joint-master of the hunt.
Those with jobs relying on the hunt are:
10: Frank Beeby (66), forage merchant. Half his business is supplying hay and straw to the horses.
11: Dr Stuart Thorne (33), one of five vets who look after the horses.
12: Sally Castle, of Washingley, near Peterborough, delivers horse feed and equipment to the hunt.
13: Katie Thory (23), of King s Dyke, near Whittlesey, is a horse trainer.
14: Jo Jameson (35) is a horse trainer.
15: Michael Langland (54) is a saddle maker.
16: Etti Cook (24) is a trainee horse physiotherapist.
17: Mary Fuller owns a livery yard near Sawtry and employs two stable girls. All could lose their jobs.
18: Claire Brookes (21) is a nutritional advisor for horses and dogs.
The Fitzwilliam Hunt, which meets near Peterborough, supports the livelihoods of an army of people who are involved in a wide variety of ways.To them, the hunt is a way of life and a source of income on which they rely.
Master of the hunt George Bowyer (36) said the 18 people featured in the picture were just some of those affected. He said: There are more like 50 people who will be affected if the Fitzwilliam Hunt stops. The people here today are just those who could turn up.
In some ways, walking into the stables and kennels at stately Milton Hall is like walking into the past the ancient buildings are largely untouched, only the cars place them in the 21st century. The hunt is based in the 5,000 scenic acres of parkland around the hall and the staff at the stables live in the old servants quarters. In this picture-postcard setting lives a small community of people who run the Fitzwilliam hunt and who say this preserved piece of old England is now under threat.
Mr Bowyer added: A lot of horses are mainly kept for hunting. The British equestrian trade association estimates that the number of horses would drop from 2.4 million to 1.4 million over the next 10 years if hunting was banned. Even if people kept their horses, the animals would not need much attention if they were not made to work. This would mean all the small livery yards would shut down and more expensive urban yards would open. Rural people would not be able to survive if they lost their winter income. Hunting is also a social event, because for all these people, their social lives and their incomes are linked together. It s a way of life.
There are six people employed at Milton Park to look after the 70 hounds and 12 horses, who live and work on the estate. They help prepare the animals for the winter hunts which they say perform a vital service in keeping fox numbers under control. The kennels also provide a vital service to local farmers by removing the carcasses of dead animals, which are taken to an on-site slaughter house.
Samantha Carter is one of three grooms who live in the servants quarters and are employed full-time to look after the 12 horses in the stables. She said: We have to feed them, exercise them and get them ready for hunting. If we lose our jobs we will also lose our lodgings as well, so this is really worrying for us.
George Adams (49) is a huntsman and helps look after the dogs in the kennels. He said: I would lose my job if there was a ban. I ve been doing this job since I left school and at my age it s hard to get anything else.
Jo Jameson (35), from Wellingborough, looks after horses for the hunt in the winter. She said: Eighty per cent of my work is for the hunt horses. I rely on that income. Because I m self-employed, if hunting is stopped I won t be eligible for any benefits from the Government. I m extremely worried by developments. I have been been doing this job since I was 16 what else am I supposed to do?
Dr Stuart Thorne (33) is one of five vets working at a clinic near Huntingdon who look after horses. He said: The hunt provides us with a considerable amount of our work. Without hunting, the practice may survive but we could not employ all five vets. The hunt also runs pony clubs and point to point races, so a ban would affect us dramatically.
Saddler Michael Longland (54) said: My takings would be knocked down by 20 per cent. Also, fox hunting is my hobby. This is not just about hunting we are a community brought together through hunting. If hunting was to die a whole way of life would go with it.
All these people could lose their jobs if the Fitzwilliam hunt is forced to stop.
Those directly employed by the hunt and mostly living on site are:
1: Gary Edwards, kennelman at Milton Park, looks after the hounds.
2: Rob Wilson (29), first whip, assists the huntsmen on hunt days and also helps in the kennels.
3: George Adams (49), huntsman, assists with work in the kennels.
4: Alison Howard (41) is head girl at the stables.
5: Samantha Carter (29), 6: Christina Arling (21) and 7: Hilary Saunders are grooms who live above the stables.
8: Bob Bartlett (36), a farrier, fits horseshoes.
9: George Bowyer, joint-master of the hunt.
Those with jobs relying on the hunt are:
10: Frank Beeby (66), forage merchant. Half his business is supplying hay and straw to the horses.
11: Dr Stuart Thorne (33), one of five vets who look after the horses.
12: Sally Castle, of Washingley, near Peterborough, delivers horse feed and equipment to the hunt.
13: Katie Thory (23), of King s Dyke, near Whittlesey, is a horse trainer.
14: Jo Jameson (35) is a horse trainer.
15: Michael Langland (54) is a saddle maker.
16: Etti Cook (24) is a trainee horse physiotherapist.
17: Mary Fuller owns a livery yard near Sawtry and employs two stable girls. All could lose their jobs.
18: Claire Brookes (21) is a nutritional advisor for horses and dogs.
