Future of hunting under the spotlight (From Western Telegraph)

Future of hunting under the spotlight

Dozens of hunt supporters are preparing to converge on Cresselly tomorrow (Thursday) to decide what must be done to secure the future of their sport.

The South Pembrokeshire Hunt has not met on horseback since the first outbreak of foot and mouth disease was announced last February.

As a consequence it is suffering serious financial difficulties and, with hunting unlikely to resume before Christmas, it is losing money as each week passes.

Chairman Peter Williams said tomorrows meeting is not restricted to hunt subscribers.

It was decided that because of the serious financial difficulties facing most hunts, ours unfortunately included, the meeting should be open, not only to subscribers who must attend, but to our many other friends in our community without whose goodwill and active support there would be no hunting in South Pembrokeshire," he said.

It appears, especially because of the current outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Brecon, that we may not be allowed to hunt before Christmas and the difficulties that this will cause must be addressed now."

Mr Williams views the hunt as a cohesive force in the social life of the whole community, illustrated by the improved support of events which have take place since hunting was suspended.

He urged people to attend tomorrows meeting.

His message is clear: Please come to this meeting so that together we can work out a strategy to ensure the survival of our hunt for the foreseeable future."

The meeting at the YFC Hall, Cresselly, will begin at 8 pm.