RAC Beagles in financial strife

6 September 2001

The Royal Agricultural College Beagles face ruin as the RAC decides to charge rent for the kennel-huntsman’s cottage

A decision by the Royal Agricultural College to begin charging rentfor the kennel-huntsman’s cottage has put the RAC Beagles in serious financial difficulties.

The college will charge £3,000 per annum, just under £58 per week, for the cottage. With FMD forcing the cancellation of many weeks’ hunting and their annual hunt ball – the latter alone resulting in an estimated loss of £2,500-£3,000 – the hunt cannot afford to pay the rent.

“With the loss of the ball and no hunting we really are struggling,” said Edward Arkell MH.

However, Mr Arkell says he does not blame the college: “They’ve been very kind and we get a lot of support from the college, but they’ve had to rationalise and charge us this money, and it’s leaving us crippled.”

To help overcome the problem Edward Arkell has organised a kennels open evening and barbeque on 15 September.

He has also launched an appeal for which donations can be sent to RAC Beagles, c/o Mrs Dallas, Primrose Hill, Westonbirt, Glos GL8 8QS.

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