Dwindling support, rising convictions and illegal hunting: a new sab group in Somerset gets stuck in

 

Hi,  Dwindling support, rising convictions and illegal hunting: a new sab group in Somerset gets stuck in Somerset Hunt Sabs report… A bit of backstory: Wednesday 8th January 2020 - just before Covid brought the country to a halt - a village hall on the Quantocks hosted an open meeting to discuss the fate of the struggling West Somerset Vale Hunt. The decision was made to merge with the Weston & Banwell Harriers “for preservation of hunting in this area”. Fast-forward to September 2022 and Steve Burton is trotted out as the new huntsman for the merged and catchily-titled Weston & Banwell Harriers/West Somerset Vale (WBHWSV). But this year a group of dedicated locals has also entered the scene. Most of us had spent a decade opposing the badger cull and we are now determined to confront illegal foxhunting too. Bad news for Somerset hunts…. The first season under Burton’s mastership kicked off with traditional early-morning cub hunting and almost immediately tensions were running high. During the season one hunt supporter received a conditional caution for violence, while another admitted to an assault charge. With WBHWSV meets now spread across the Quantocks and the Somerset Levels sabs had their work cut out. And It’s here that we must thank our local sab groups: Devon County, Mendip - who we collaborate with often, Plymouth & West Devon, Bristol, WAR, North Dorset, and Two Counties Hunt Saboteurs. The collaborations, experience and solidarity shared with other groups is invaluable and we have learnt a lot from them. Somerset sabs save lives. The 2023-2024 season brought more convictions with another regular hunt supporter and local business owner convicted for assault, while another masked hunt supporter received a caution for their attack. By the end of that 2nd season, Burton et al had had enough and another extraordinary general meeting was held at Bridgwater Rugby Club, where supporters gathered once again to discuss the hunt’s future. Back in August, WBHWSV terriermen, lan Dinham and Brian (Anthony) Pearce were finally convicted in Taunton Magistrates Court following their brutal assault on a saboteur with a spade. Spade brigade: now-convicted terrier men during a dig out in 2022 The 2024-2025 season introduced yet another shift, with Paul Martin, a figure known for his history of violence towards sabs, moving into the kennels in Stogursey. Guy Landau, another familiar face from many moons ago had also returned but by now hunt meets had visibly dwindled. Rumours suggest that footage captured on our friends Mendip Hunt Sabs’ drone, showing illegal hunting activities and widely shared by local news, may be keeping riders away as police investigations continue. Paul Martin wasting police time Sept 2024. We were thrilled to be officially affiliated with the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) this year, but there is still a lot of work to do. We continue to take direct action, document illegal activity, and work with other sab groups to protect our local wildlife. If you would like to support us, please get in touch by following us on Facebook. Your support - whether coming out to join us or by donations - makes a huge difference. Support Us Follow & message us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SomersetSabs Donate: https://ko-fi.com/somersetsabs Get involved! Find out how you can be part of our campaign to  Strengthen The Hunting Act Take Action Spread the word! Please share our news Share via email Copyright (C) 2024 Hunt Saboteurs Association. All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Hunt Saboteurs Association. Our mailing address is: BM HSA, London, WC1N 3XX, U.K. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe