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Chris Packham & co cover the Cottesmore in first ever live broadcast experience |
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As the Cottesmore Hunt gathered in Wymondham village, at the home of their former master huntsman and current British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) vice-chairman Andrew Osborne, Northants Hunt Saboteurs arrived with their own special guests in the form of Chris Packham (C.B.E. Broadcaster and Natural History Expert) and Megan McCubbin (Zoologist) who emerged from our vehicle in style! |
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Chris and Megan are spotted by Cottesmore riders! |
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The Cottesmore Hunt were about to be forensically challenged - and in real time. Along with Chris and Megan was Fabian who, armed with a live broadcast camera, captured all the action as it happened and shared it via a live social media stream. The only veil of secrecy the Cottesmore could call upon was the thick mist which shrouded the killing fields. It was patently obvious that as the hunt left the meet - passing Chris and Megan on the road - they suddenly found themselves in uncharted territory, utterly unnerved about the spotlight that was now falling on them. |
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We not only had to do our job in keeping wildlife safe from the Cottesmore gang but also had the added - but welcome - task of hosting this first-ever live broadcasting experience of a fox hunt, enabling the public to see how a day's sabbing is done. |
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Chris Packham continued pumping out informative and important statistics about the illegal activities and related violent disorder by the Cottesmore and other hunts whilst Megan McCubbin was gaining insightful information on hunting from our sabs, who also demonstrated their knowledge of this hunt throughout the entire 3 ½ hour broadcast, meaning the social media world was alive with chatter about fox hunting. |
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Megan reports from the scene. |
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Chris and Megan paid particular attention to the first draw where hounds were cast into a small copse of thick brambles. It was obvious to anyone that no ‘trail-layer’ could have been through, blowing away the smokescreen there. The two household names explained to the tens of thousands watching the farcical nature of the ‘trail-hunting’ lie. |
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Anyone suggesting that having two professional broadcasters and natural history experts present was a gimmick should consider the risks taken by them simply being present. Chris Packham has received credible and serious threats to his personal safety, including arson attacks on his home from hunt supporters. He and Megan demonstrated the increasingly rare quality of putting the issue above their own safety and egos. They also invested their valuable time and effort to stand side by side with the very group of sabs who are directly trying to save lives and uphold the law against an often malevolent and violent hunting mob....in this case the Cottesmore! |
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Chris, Megan and Northants sab on the case. |
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Later in the day, Chris and Megan witnessed hounds going into cry across a main road. Questions were put to the hunt Whipper in as to what exactly was going on here. His reply live on social media was that a trail had been laid across the road! What a shambles! |
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This was a unique day for us and our ongoing campaign against the criminal Cottesmore. It was, in more ways than one, a day we won’t forget. We must extend an enormous thank you to Megan McCubbin, Chris Packham and their team. Our sabs have watched and admired Chris for his outstanding work, some since their childhood, and he remains an inspiration to us all. The whole team were incredibly friendly and are of course welcome back anytime! |
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Everyone gelled extremely well and with good teamwork we were able to appeal directly to thousands of people through the live streaming of a notorious fox hunt. The broadcast also highlighted why everyone must push for the ban on 'trail hunting' to become a legal reality. But of equal importance Megan and Chris chose to stand with the sabs forsaking their own comfort to show a genuine respect and support for the Hunt Saboteurs Association. Thank you, Megan, Chris and the team! – always ready to defend the wild! |
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Get involved!Find out how you can be part of our campaign to
Strengthen The Hunting Act |
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