While we’re not wishing the holidays away, it’s a fact that Boxing Day is just around the corner. Hunts all over the country will once again be parading in towns and villages, keen to gather much needed donations and support from the public. Action Against Foxhunting (AAF) has outlined how you can collect evidence against the hunts wherever you are.
The Countryside Alliance has provided the public with a handy map, showing you the location of every Boxing Day meet in the UK. There will be numerous protests taking place to oppose these parades – scroll down to the bottom of this article to find a protest near you!
But even if you don’t want to join a protest, you can play an essential role just by turning up to observe a hunt and record evidence of any law-breaking. AAF outlines how to do it…
‘One shot’
AAF says of Boxing Day:
“If you want to object to a meet, you will need evidence. Collect it THIS YEAR and spend the next year challenging the hunt – try to get it stopped for NEXT YEAR. We do support protests, but if you want to get good evidence it is best to stand back and just record and record and record…”
AAF recommends that you blend into the crowd. The group told Protect the Wild:
“Objecting to a Boxing Day meet is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s essential to do your research first. We get one shot at it, and it’s next Thursday. Go along to the meet, blend in, grin at people and take your camera.”
Save the checklist to your phone
AAF has come up with a Boxing Day Evidence Checklist, which the group says is essential to download and save to your phone. AAF said:
“When you’ve collected your evidence, let us know at info@actionaagainstfoxhunting.org and we’ll let you know what to do next.”
The checklist outlines everything you should be looking out for at the Boxing Day parade:
• Keep your camera on all the time. Blend in, grin at people, keep your cool.
• Spend time with the hounds. Are children allowed to interact freely? Are there any hand washing facilities? Are the hounds under control? Who is controlling them? Are they running freely around the venue? In the roads? In traffic? Are any of the children worried by the hounds?
• Spend time watching members of the hunt. Who are they? Get good photos of all their faces. You might need that later. Look for terriermen, or anyone who appears to be an official.
• Check the road situation. Is the hunt blocking the road? Is there a road closure? Are vehicles allowed through the closure? Who is directing traffic? Are they wearing hi vis? Has the hunt shut off parking spaces? Is anyone driving the wrong way along a one–way street?
• Watch where they ride their horses. Are they riding on the pavement? Are they riding the wrong way along a one–way street? Where have the horses stopped? Get a good photo of the exact part of the venue they stop in.
• Look at the horses and the riders. Are there horses with red ribbons in their tails – (these are kickers)? Are these horses backed up against a wall, or can anyone get behind them? Is everyone in control of their horse? Is anyone larking about? Are any of the horses spooked?
• Look at any marshals. What are they doing? Are they wearing hi vis? Are they drinking?
• Look out for alcohol. Who is drinking what and where? Where is the alcohol coming from? Is it free, or is someone selling it?
• Look for a money collection. Are there people going round with buckets? Are the buckets labelled and sealed?
• Look for poo of all kinds. Are hounds taking a poo in a public place?
• Look for protesters. Hunts often assault protesters. If you see anything brewing, get over there and film.
• Stay behind after the hunt has left. Who is clearing up the poo? Where are they taking the poo? LOOK FOR ANYONE CHUCKING IT IN THE BUSHES.
Boxing Day protests near you
Meanwhile, if you would like to be part an organised Boxing Day protest, you can join these demonstrations (if you’ve organised a protest which we’ve not listed please let us know and we will add it asap):
- Weston and Banwell Hunt: 10am, The Square, Axbridge, Somerset BS26 2AR
- Puckeridge and Essex Union Hunt, 10am, The Swan, 73 High Street, Maldon, Essex CM9 5EP
- Mendip Farmers Hunt, 10.15am, Priddy Green, Somerset BA5 3BB
- Sinnington Hunt, 10.15am, Market Place, Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire YO62 6AA
- Kent Hounds, 10.00am, Elham Village Hall, Elham, Kent CT4 6SX
- Spooners Hunt, 10.30am, Bedford Square, Tavistock, Devon PL19 0AL
- Monmouth Hunt, 10.30am, The Angel Hotel, 15 Cross Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales NP7 5EN
- Ledbury Hunt, 9.45am, 1 High Street, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 1DS
- Herefordshire and Clifton Hunt, 10.00am, 14 Corn Square, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 8LR
- Waveney Harriers, 10.45am, Buttercross, Bungay, Suffolk NR35 1AP
- Kimblewick Hunt, 10.30am, Full Moon pub, Cholesbury Common, Buckinghamshire HP5 2UH
- Holderness Hunt, 10.30am, Beverley Racecourse, York Road, Beverley, East Yorkshire HU17 8QZ
- Cury Hunt, 10.30am, Helston town centre, Helston, Cornwall TR13
(Thanks to Action Against Foxhunting for their support with this article).
