Richard Gurney: What hunting wants for Christmas [H&H VIP]

Dear Father Christmas,

As we have been so good and laid many trails over the past year, thanked motorists when they have had to slow down or stop, not made a mess over the country we are fortunate enough to cross, closed every gate behind us and given so many people so much fun and excitement, can you please bestow upon us the following gifts?

➤ Repeal of the Hunting Act, because as you know the Act is unworkable and the worst piece of legislation ever drafted. We need to take the pressure off those professionals and amateurs who face the threat of a vindictive prosecution by our opponents every time they go out trailhunting. We can hunt the rabbit but not the fox, I ask you!

➤ That the numbers of subscribers and followers continue to increase in every hunt, season upon season.

➤ That we may all have kennels free from the cough and disease forever!

➤ That Jim Barrington continues to enjoy a positive response from his excellent talks on hunting and animal welfare in schools and colleges because the young understand it.

➤ That every hunt in the UK works to improve their PR within the local community and with the wider public.

➤ And lastly that hunting people everywhere get to sing my new hunting carol….

‘While huntsmen watched’ by H&H columnist Richard Gurney

While huntsmen watched

Their kennels by night

All merry on the ground

The angel of the Lord came down

And glory shone on hounds

And glory shone on hounds

“Fear not” he said

For mighty dread

Has seized their troubled minds

“Glad tidings of great joy I bring

To you and all who subscribe

To you and all who subscribe

“To you in London town this day

Is passed in the House of Commons

A bill that makes such common sense

At last we hear you cry

At last we hear you cry

“The heavenly bill

You there shall find

To human view displayed

All perfectly wrapped

A brand new act

All be it nine years delayed

All be it nine years delayed”

Thus spake the seraph

And forthwith

Appeared a shining throng

Of huntsmen praising Cameron, who thus

Addressed their joyful song

Addressed their joyful song

All glory be to God on high

And to the earth be hunting

Goodwill henceforth

From heaven to huntsmen

Begin and never cease

Begin and never cease

Regardless of whether all our wishes are granted or not, hunting is still here and growing in popularity all the time.

Next year we will see the biggest party ever to celebrate hunting with the Horn & Hound Ball, which will be held at Cheltenham racecourse on Saturday, 26 April in aid of the Hunt Staff Benefit Society.

Dinner, dancing, an auction and the highlight of the evening will be the rebirth of the champion hunting horn-blowing competition for the Dorian Williams Horse & Hound Challenge Trophy.

Everyone is welcome, so support hunting and your local hunt, meet old friends and make some new ones. More on this amazing night in the New Year.

Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all.

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