© 2024 Hunt Saboteurs Association
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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