1. Shows and the BBC
We are at the height of the show season and this
week I have already taken in the Royal Welsh and the Festival of
Hunting at Peterborough before heading for the CLA Game Fair which
starts today at Belvoir Castle. As much as I enjoy these events
there are serious reasons for attending. On Tuesday at the Festival
of Hunting it was wonderful to sense the optimism of the hunting
community and the huge change in mood from the same event in 2005
when hunting was at it nadir. Then nobody knew what the full
implications of the Hunting Act would be and whether hunting could
really survive. By contrast yesterday started with Radio 4's Today
Programme and Radio 5 wanting to discuss the repeal of the Act. The
hound shows saw record entries and the crowd was as large as has
been seen at the wonderfully well organised festival. Harriers,
beagles and bassets were shown in an amazing new building from
where, at lunchtime, Shadow Secretary of Stat e for Environment Nick
Herbert reminded us all of his time as Master and Huntsman of the
Newmarket beagles. Even more importantly he repeated once again the
Conservative commitment to allow parliament a vote on a Government
Bill in Government time to repeal the Hunting Act. Who could really
have believed that 4 years ago? Today the CLA Gamefair starts at
Belvoir castle and huge numbers of people will flock to the site
over the next three days. The Alliance stand is B0131 and I hope
that all of you coming to Belvoir will visit us.
Meanwhile comedian Griff Rhys Jones, aided by the BBC, has stuck his
oar into the debate over
access to rivers for canoeists and other boat users. As I
reported a few months ago the Welsh Assembly has been investigating
the possibility of some sort of 'right to paddle' and Rhys Jones has
used the vehicle of a new BBC documentary series on forgotten
rivers. In BBC Countryfile magazine ahead of the release of the
series River Journeys, he said: "I've met a lot of fishermen and
decided that we should disturb as many as possible. What we all need
to remember is that the river isn't there for the few but for the
many." Apart from the strange idea that angling is somehow exclusive
Rhys Jones seems ignorant of the argument that rights also bring
responsibilities. Anglers pay £25 million in statutory rod licences
fees and they also conserve and improve the riparian environment.
Rhys Jones seems to think that canoeists and others should have the
right to paddle but no responsibility to the river.
Ironically I understand that the concept of this documentary was originally pitched to the BBC by an angling writer and broadcaster. He, however, was deemed not to be famous enough so Rhys Jones was instead given the job. His outburst also raises timely questions about the BBC and their attitude towards rural issues. On Saturday the Countryside Alliance debate in the CLA Game Fair at 11am is entitled "The BBC and the countryside: friend or foe?". I am sure the audience will want to hear the panel's opinion on Rhys Jones' views as well as on many other BBC programmes.
2. Qualifications for jobs in hunting
At the Festival of Hunting in Peterborough this
week, Shadow DERA Secretary Nick Herbert MP presented seven young
people with NVQ Level 2 Certificates in Animal Care, which will
hopefully lead them to a career in hunting.
The successful candidates, one girl and six boys started their
employment and training a year ago under the auspices of Haddon
Training Ltd and the Council of Hunting Associations (CHA).
Haddon Training is an approved Skills for Life Provider specialising
in the training of learners for careers in the Equine, Animal Care
and Saddlery Industries. Managing Director, Chris Hewlett stated
that: "Haddon Training believes that the future of hunting will rely
upon training, education and qualifications for staff coming into
the industry, as well as maintaining welfare standards at the
highest levels."
On behalf of the CHA, Brian Fanshawe added: "Encouraging and
embracing the younger generation is a vital ingredient in securing a
long term future for all forms of hunting. We intend to continue
formal training for young people entering hunt service."
Successful candidate Evelyn Beeney from the Hurworth Hunt in N
Yorkshire said: "My year's training has greatly helped me to
understand why high standards of animal care in our hounds enhance
their performance in the hunting field."
The successful candidates were Tom Baker of the Mid Devon Hunt,
Evelyn Beeney of the Hurworth Hunt, Edward Finney of the Middleton,
Oliver Hutchings of the Seavington, Wayne Keeble of the
Warwickshire, Michael Read of the Bicester with WC and Edward
Winnington of the Vale of Aylesbury and GBS.
Further inquiries to Haddon Training: Jane Copsey 01672 519977.
CHA: Brian Fanshawe. 01666 575474 or 07768 041538 or brian.fanshawe@btinternet.com
3. Parliamentary Update - July 2009
This week the Countryside Alliance's political and campaigns team sent out its July issue of Parliamentary Update. Parliamentary Update is a quarterly e-newsletter circulated to all Parliamentarians and candidates to keep them up-to-date with the latest developments in the Alliance's campaigns, projects and some of the current issues of interest and concern to rural people. You can read the Update online here.
4. Quotes of the week
"A poorly drafted law, introduced by Tony Blair
in 2004 to try to buy off militant Leftwing backbenchers, the ban on
fox-hunting has made a mockery of the law throughout rural
England..Police have been utterly unable to police the legislation,
with the Association of Chief Police Officers recently branding it
as ' cumbersome' and 'unenforceable'.
Edward Heathcoat-Amory, The Daily Mail,
"This pointless and damaging legal blizzard", 17th July
"While the economic climate remains so uncertain, it is improbable
that we will see demand for rural retreats return to pre-recession
levels. As a result, residential land prices look likely to remain
depressed for some time to come."
RICS spokesman Julian Sayers, PA,
Search for 'good life' put on hold, 21st July
"I don't know if this is a brilliant move, or
the death knell of the Labour party as a campaigning organisation."
Morus at
PoliticalBetting on Labour's decision to raise fox hunting as an
issue in the Norwich North by election, 20th July
In the News - the Alliance website brings you regularly
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