Friday, May 28, 2004
NEWS REPORT FROM MY FIRST MEET
COUNTRYSIDE: Hunt master's call to the Government
THE joint master of the Fitzwilliam Hunt has called on the Government to listen to the people and leave fox hunting alone.
George Bowyer spoke out following the annual New Year's Day hunt, which started near the Haycock Hotel, in Wansford, near Peterborough.
Mr Bowyer claimed public opinion was no longer in favour of a ban.
"A poll was done recently where members of the public were asked what they thought the Government's priorities should be, and only two per cent mentioned a ban on fox hunting", he said.
"The Government has more important things to be doing, and people should be free to make their own moral choice about whether or not they want to take part in the sport.
"Hopefully, they will now leave us alone."
Mr Bowyer said the new year hunt had been more popular than last year, with 600 people taking part, 60 of whom were on horseback.
He added: "There were also fewer protesters – six instead of the usual 12.
"It shows us that hunting is now growing in popularity again, and that is very encouraging."
THE joint master of the Fitzwilliam Hunt has called on the Government to listen to the people and leave fox hunting alone.
George Bowyer spoke out following the annual New Year's Day hunt, which started near the Haycock Hotel, in Wansford, near Peterborough.
Mr Bowyer claimed public opinion was no longer in favour of a ban.
"A poll was done recently where members of the public were asked what they thought the Government's priorities should be, and only two per cent mentioned a ban on fox hunting", he said.
"The Government has more important things to be doing, and people should be free to make their own moral choice about whether or not they want to take part in the sport.
"Hopefully, they will now leave us alone."
Mr Bowyer said the new year hunt had been more popular than last year, with 600 people taking part, 60 of whom were on horseback.
He added: "There were also fewer protesters – six instead of the usual 12.
"It shows us that hunting is now growing in popularity again, and that is very encouraging."
