"hunting is fundamental to the lives and cultural heritage of Cumbrian people"

The Lake District has been hit hardest by the Hunting Act of 2004, says Johnny Scott, tracing the history of the region’s fell packs – once the first line of defence against predation for farmers

This is Charlie Pye-Smiths book.

  Sir Nicholas Soames (MP) described it as a “masterpiece of sensible, down-to-earth, practical, knowledgeable words and the most brilliant photographs.I am wholly confident that it will provide guidance for the Government, for opinion formers and above all that it will

prove useful to conservationists, landholders and the poor, wretched

practitioners who strive against the odds to improve or maintain biodiversity in our truly marvellous and much put-upon countryside.”

and Kate Hoey (MP)added:

“Certain animal rights groups have convinced the public, much of the media and many politicians that there are only two camps – one that likes wild animals and doesn’t kill them and another group that kills them just for fun. That situation suits the animal rights groups, but it could not be further from the truth. Wildlife management covers a range of activities, not all involving the culling of wild animals, but it is naive to think wildlife can be properly managed without some form of culling.” The book, she added, should be read by all those who genuinely want to improve the management and welfare of wild animals.

The Facts of Rural Life is published by the Veterinary Association for Wildlife Management. Copies can be obtained from Brian Fanshawe, Old School House, Ashley, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8SX (£10 per copy or £8 each for five copies or more).

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The booklet has an informative but fun tone and, with plenty of illustrations, has been designed to stimulate the younger mind.

Click Here to see/download a copy

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Charlie Pye-Smith is the author of "Rural Rites: hunting and the politics of prejudice". The book provides detailed analysis of the history of the 2004 Hunting Act, the issues underlying it and the situation created by its enactment. "This book has an application which goes so much further than hunting and animal welfare. It shows us the ease with which bad law can be made, how simple it is to spin the facts, and how readily the rights of minorities can be obliterated". Published by the All Party Parliamentary Middle Way Group. Charlie is the author of over a dozen books, click on the book cover to......

visit his website and download /read the book as a pdf.

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All images © 2003-2022 Blencathra Foxhounds

 

BOXING DAY 2021

OPENING MEET 2021

 

We continue to wish all our subscribers and friends best wishes during these unprecedented times of the coronavirus pandemic ---keep well and safe!!   Here are the 4 pups to enter for the 2021/22 season        REMUS      RASCAL      RIEVAULX      RANTER   HOUND SPONSORSHIP All hounds now have at least one sponsor (18th Nov)......... BUT... you can still choose to sponsor and follow any of the hounds - only 5 dogs & 3 bitches have more than one sponsor so there's still plenty of choice   Click HERE To See the Hounds for the 21/22 Season

 

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What makes a Fell Hound different from the other Foxhounds at the Festival of Hunting? Hannah Brook-Lawson caught up with Barry Todhunter, huntsman of the Blencathra Fell Hounds, to find out more

                                                   

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HOUNDS                         For those who just want to see pictures of Hounds!!                                   Click on picture above for gallery                                                                                                                                                   Thanks to D Elliott

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FOR the LOVE of HUNTING ENGLAND  -- check out the new website Barry is to be a regular contributor as one of the 'Hunting Personalities'--- read his first article here