Nick Herbert: There is a compelling case to get the hunting ban off the statute book !

The following is a link to an article which appeared in the Sunday Telegraph 18.10.09 and is an important confirmation of the Conservative position.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/6361175/Nick-Herbert-There-is-a-compelling-case-to-get-the-hunting-ban-off-the-statute-book.html

New Galleries

Last week we added pictures from the Tetrathlon - today we have pictures of our presentation to Help for Heroes.

D&S prints at Sporting & Military Art Exhibition

Friday 23^rd October – Monday 26^th October – Eggesford Studio is holding The Autumn Sporting & Military Art Exhibition and Sale at The Town Hall in Dulverton,  10am to 5pm daily. 
There will be a stunning selection of art by Lionel Edwards including many prints of the DSSH, Snaffles, Cecil Aldin and their contemporaries. In addition there will be a superb collection of art by Daniel Crane, Katharine Lightfoot, Colin Allbrook and sporting photographs by Charles Sainsbury – Plaice.  Admission to the exhibition is free but visitors are invited to make a donation to Help for Heroes .
For further information please call the Studio on 01837 680021 , 07733 228953 or email Sheron@eggesford-studio.co.uk or visit the web site www.eggesford-studio.co.uk . To request a catalogue for the exhibition please contact the Studio or down load it directly  from the web site.

 

Another Cheque Presentation to the Air Ambulance by the D&S

Presentation to Air Ambulance 
The D&S Young Supporter's Club were delighted to present a cheque for £1250 to the Devon Air Ambulance.
The money was raised at the West Molland Tetrathlon in August.
Pictured are organisers Clair Mills and Fran Bell with Glen Birtwhistle, an air ambulance paramedic based in Dulverton.

For more photos of the Tetrathlon go to the Gallery page.

DO NOT BUY LUSH !

Lush bubble bath to support hunt saboteur campaign

Paul Lewis, Guardian 3.10.09
The cosmetics company Lush is launching a bubble bath it hopes will raise tens of thousands of pounds for anti-blood sports activists who sabotage fox hunts.
The Hunt Saboteurs Association will be the latest beneficiary of proceeds from Lush, the ethical producer of handmade soaps which has gained a reputation for backing radical protest groups.
The citronella and peppermint bubble bath, called The Fabulous Mr Fox, will arrive on the shelves in the coming weeks and will be on sale until Boxing Day, a traditional day for fox hunts. The company hopes the product will raise £50,000 for the activists, and said they money will be used to fund vehicles and video equipment.
Mark Constantine, the 59-year-old co-founder of Lush, which is based in Poole, Dorset, has previously donated large portions of his profits to human rights groups, animal welfare organisations and environmental protesters such as Plane Stupid, who promote non-violent civil disobedience to opposed airport expansion.
Proceeds from the Lush cosmetics empire, which is thought to be worth around £150m, have also been used to fund campaigns to support Sumatran orangutans and oppose the widening of the M1 motorway. Sea Shepherd, a guerilla conservation group that operates vessels to scupper rival ships it finds whaling in the middle of the ocean, has received £22,000 from the sale of Lush products.
Lush, founded by Constantine in 1995, has become a multinational company, with branches in north America, Japan and Australia.
The company claims to give around 2% of profits to charity and is keen to promote itself as an ethical brand. Constantine said funding activists groups was "central to what we do".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oct/03/lush-supports-hunt-saboteurs

New Website Feature - Small Ads

Today sees the launch of a new facility on our website - Small Ads. Click the link on the left hand side of the page.

These will be updated monthly./

Frampton Country Fair

APOLOGIES TO LETTIE FOR OMITTING HER NAME - Webmaster's oversight.

"Hot off the press! D&SSH winners of the Inter-Hunt challenge at Frampton Country Fair". Not bad for a non-jumping pack!
For the second year running the D&S hounds were asked to parade at Frampton Country Fair in Gloucestershire. This year we were also invited to enter a hunt team in the Inter-Hunt Competition. In the team were Rupert Andrews and Paul Marks (Skiddy) running and Tessa Hayes and Alex Batstone riding. All four were extremely competitive, winning the first heat and then going on to win the whole event. Somewhat of a surprise to some of the teams from jumping countries!! Janet Ackner and Lettie Noel provided the two speedy horses on the day. Well done to everyone.

The hounds received a great reception in front of huge crowds and horses. The D&S hounds and hunt staff looked immaculate. A great fun day day out and it is well worth the drive to Frampton-on-Severn.

[In the photos D&S hounds waiting to parade and the winning team]

Hunt for a Boogie !

HUNT FOR A BOOGIE !

Supporters of the 3 West Country packs of staghounds will be getting together this month for the third annual 'Boogie in the Barn' held at Rainsbury Farm, Upton by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Ken Govier, next Friday, 11th Sept from 8pm.  Organised by members of the QSH, DSSH and TSH, the evening provides a great chance for followers and friends of all generations to let their hair down.
Entry is £12 on the door and includes a hog roast roll. There is a top draw, late bar and dancing to the infamous Chris Rawle Disco.  Come along and ' Boogie in the barn!'

Keep Equine Passports at the Ready !

From 1st August you have to be able to produce your equine passport if you are stopped by the police when travelling with your horse in either a trailer or horse box.  If you don't have it/them with you, there is, at the moment, a three hour "let" for you to get it and produce it at your local police station.  If you cannot do this there is a £5,000 fine (I believe this is for each horse).

SUPPER in the BARN

Supper in the Barn at Kings Farm, Withypool, 25th August at 7pm.  £12.50 to include a pre-supper drink and 2 course value for money supper.  Numbers stricly limited.  Tickets to be ordered and paid for before 20th August.  Great opportunities to chat and catch up with old friends and perhaps introduce some new ones.  Offers of help prior to and on the day would be greatly appreciated.  Please contact Ruth Turner on 01643 831381 (for tickets and offers).  Profit to be split between D&SSH and Cancer Research UK.

NEW IN - HOODIES !

Just launched a new idea - HOODIES !

These are proving to be very popular.
Retailing at £20 for children and £25 for adults.

Available in any size and any colour.
As well as the D&S motif on the front, we have introduced some slogans to be included on the back:  'Ware Hind', 'Pricket', 'Moosehunters' are but a few examples.
Can be seen at Exford Show on Wednesday, 12th August 2009, and other forthcoming events, 
or available from Nicky Boundy - 01769 550960.

DESTINY WINS !

D&SSH Destiny walked by the Cumings family won the bitch class at our annual Puppy Show.  Donald then took her to Dunster Country Fair were she won Best Unentered Bitch in the Staghound classes. She went on to win the Staghound Championship and even better still she was Reserve Champion of the whole show!

Her next show is Honiton so watch this space.

We also had two seconds in the doghound classes.

It is all the more remarkable because she is a very fussy feeder so to get her in fit condition for showing she is now eating a certain supermarket brand of meat pies - the only thing she really fancies!

Presentation to Air Ambulances

A cheque for £9,600 was presented to the Devon Air Ambulance and the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.  This fantastic sum was raised through sponsorship of the 8 riders taking part in the D&S Charity Race at Holnicote on 2nd May. 

West Molland Team & Individual Tetrathlon

Sunday, 30th August 2009 at West Molland Barton, Molland, South Molton , Devon

Commencing 10am

Sponsored by Timepeice Wine Bar & NightClub, Exeter

Enquiries: 

Fran Bell 07929 506357, fran_bell@hotmail.com

Clair Mills 01769 550254, clair@westmolland.co.uk

'BOOGIE IN THE BARN'

'Scummer in a Shed' !

at Rainsbury Farm, Upton by kind permission of Ken & Pauline Govier.

On Friday, 11th September at 9pm to 1am.

This is to be the 3rd year of this quality scummer.  The boogie is back!  The D&SSH, QSH and TSH all together for a serious session.  This is one not to be missed.  Disco, Bar and Hog Roast.

Tickets at £12 - got to be a winner!  Hope to see you all there .............. !

GOING AHEAD DESPITE THE WEATHER !

Proms in the Park at Pixton, Dulverton - Saturday, 11th July. 

Gates open 4pm - Music at 6pm to 9pm - No entry after 7pm

We are delighted to say that this event is still on despite the inclement weather.  However, because of the wet weather conditions parking will be limited.  Because of this, may we suggest that you pack as many in your cars as is possible to enable you to park near to the venue.  There will also be limited cover in case of rain!  Contact:  Fran Bell - 07929 506357

It's a Knockout - Results !

Very well done to our two teams that swept the board at the Tiverton Staghounds Its a Knockout!
1st - DSSH Caz's Capers, captained by Paul Govier 
2nd - DSSH Wasters, captained by Geoffrey Brown
 

30th August 2009 - Team Tetrathlon

After losing to the weather last year, the Devon & Somerset Staghounds Supporters Club eagerly anticipate running the fourth West Molland Team Tetrathlon which also supports the Devon Air Ambulance.  Teams of four undertake one each of the four disciplines of equine cross country, running, mountain biking and clay shooting. With the classes being Open, Family or Hunt. 
New this year is the Men and Ladies Individual Challenge for the super fit to take on all of the events!  The usual heated Tug-o-War Match will take place in the afternoon, along with terrier racing, a hog roast, trade stands, including the Eggesford studios and a fully licensed bar. A fantastic Exmoor day out. 
The Event field is situated at West Molland Barton, Molland, near South Molton and takes place on the old horse trials course just beneath open Moorland with fantastic views.  The equine section of the event starts the day at 10am. 
For further detai ls/ entry forms, please contact Fran Bell, 01398 324362 fran_bell@hotmail.com. 
Entries close 15th August. 

Do you support Hunting? Countryfile Poll

Check out the Polls :  BBC Countryfile poll on hunting: http://www.bbccountryfile.com/polls
Exmoor is second in the "which is your favourite national park" -  keep it going.

Death knell for hunting ban as police abandon monitoring operations

Police forces are to stop monitoring hunts in a change of policy that sounds the death knell for the hunting ban.  Click on the link below to read what today's Times has to say:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6289896.ece

 

 

 

Vote-OK

Dear All,

You will all be pleased to know that we have organised another leafleting session in Exeter for 14th May at 10.00H in Exeter!

It will take about 2 hours and involves putting leaflets through letter boxes. You will be home for lunch.

The last leafleting session was embarrassingly badly attended for a Hunt the size of the D&S.

I sincerely hope that this one will be better attended.

 

It really does make a difference.

We cannot expect politicians to help us if we don't help them.

Even with a huge Conservative majority , repeal is not a foregone conclusion especially if we can't be bothered to help them.

Let me know if you can make it, so I can organise transport /sharing cars etc.

 

Yours sincerely,
Matthew Cookson
Riphay Cottages, Dulverton, Somerset

0779 257 4160 mob  or 01398 324 011 home

WINNER of Charity Race

CONGRATULATIONS to Miss Fran Bell, MSH (Hayden James) winner of the Charity Race at Holnicote on Saturday, 2nd May 2009.

The magnificent sum of £9000 was raised through sponsorship by the 8 riders for the Devon Air Ambulance and Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance services.

Other results:

2nd - Graham Illing (Paolo Conti)

3rd - Gerald Greenway (Polka)

4th - Donald Summersgill (Supreme Hill)

 

Good Luck & Thanks

GOOD LUCK to all in the Charity Race at Holnicote tomorrow (Saturday, 2nd May), at 12 Noon.

 

A HUGE thank you to everyone who contributed to John Stone's testimonial.  We wish him the best for the future, and he promises we shall be seeing him next season.  There is a strong rumour that he will be carrying the gun!

 

Pat

LAST CHANCE for John Stone's Testimonial

The presentation by the Masters on behalf of members and subscribers of the Hunt to John Stone will be made at Colland Cross on Saturday, 25th April 2009.

If you have not already done so, and wish to, please give your donation to one of the Hunt Secretaries before Friday.

Many thanks, Pat

Last Hunt Prosecution Dropped

Last hunt prosecution dropped

The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) has dropped its private prosecution of four members of the Isle of Wight Hunt, which was the last hunt prosecution adjourned pending a recent High Court judgment.

Prosecutions against the Heythrop Hunt and Devon and Somerset Staghounds by the Crown Prosecution Service have already been discontinued. One huntsman in Northumberland has since been charged with a single Hunting Act offence and is the only person connected to a hunt currently facing charges.

Simon Hart, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance said: "This is the clearest possible evidence that the Hunting Act is on borrowed time. Technically it remains on the statute book, but in practice today even the organisation that promoted this Act and which is its greatest defender has had to admit that it has failed. The only question that now remains is when the Hunting Act will be repealed and the pointless pressure on the police and the courts removed. This is yet more evidence of the need to scrap this act at the earliest possible oppotunity.

"LACS has told us that practically every time hounds leave their kennels an offence is being committed. They have told us that the 'exemptions' are tightly drawn and that hunting with a bird of prey cannot be done. Well they made the decision to prosecute this case on the basis that it was the strongest they had and yet it has not even got to trial. They have admitted what we have known for a long time - the Act is unworkable."

For further information please call the press office on 07775 938792

Support 'growing' to end hunt ban

Support is growing for the ban on hunting with dogs to be scrapped, shadow justice minister Edward Garnier has told the BBC.
The Countryside Alliance member said most people at the moment were not interested in hunting.
Conservative leader David Cameron has promised MPs a free vote on the issue if his party wins the next election.

Full story HERE

John Stone

After 17 years with the Devon & Somerset Staghounds, and the last 10 years as 1st Whipper-In, John has decided to leave at the end of the season.
His enthusiasm and keenness for the sport is well known, and we hope to see him hunting with us in the future.
We are sure everyone will want to show their appreciation, and ask all members, friends and supporters who wish to donate to John’s testimonial to please send or give contributions by the 31st March 2009 to:
Mrs Pat Bawden
Halsgrove Farm Cottage
Withypool, Som. TA24 7RX
Cheques payable please to D&SSH”

The Masters & Committee

Charity Race in aid of the Devon & Somerset Air Ambulances

Charity Race in aid of the Devon & Somerset Air Ambulances

at the D&SSH Point-to-Point Course, Holnicote on Saturday, 2nd May 2009

First Race at 12 noon

Open to members of the D&SSH on horses that have hunted with the D&S a minimum of 8 times.

Sponsorship forms are circulating - please support the following members of the hunt who have entered:

• Rupert Andrews
• Fran Bell
• Donald Summersgill
• Pete Rawle
• Sian Savage
• Gerald Greenaway
• Graham Illing
• Angela Nation

Thanks, Pat

The Co-op - no friends there!

The Co-operative Bank will not invest in any business involved in blood sports, which involve the use of animals or birds to catch, fight or kill each other.

The bank offers three charity credit cards in support of animal welfare concerns including The League Against Cruel Sports.

Vote Ok

Dear Devon and Somerset subscriber,

 

I contacted you all at the end of November (see below)  to explain that it has been decided by Vote OK (with the full support of our Masters and Commitee)  that the Devon and Somerset Staghounds should support the Propective Parliamentary Candidate for Exeter, Hannah Foster, who is completely supportive of repeal.

 

Her opponent is Ben Bradshaw who voted for the Hunting Ban.

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

 

We need help delivering leaflets which really does help  make a real difference in any election. These leaflets are for the local elections on 4th June 2009.  This is is so Hannah  can build up momentum to the next election which has to take place by June 2010. Exeter is a key seat and there is a majority of 8300 to overturn which is possible with a lot of our help.

 

I am proposing  3 leaflet drops between now and 4th June with the first one on Thursday 19th March  at 10.00 a.m. at Exeter, this will take approximately 2 hours and involves putting leaflets through letterboxes.

 It is not rocket science! It just takes a small amount of your time.

 

If you would like to help overturn the Hunting Act by giving a few hours of your time, please reply to me for details.

 

Thank you.

 

Matthew Cookson

New Website

Welcome to our new website.

The design brief was "Keep it Simple" and so here we are - a straightforward Website without whistles and bells but with all the latest news and useful information that you might need.