Barlow Hunt Supporters Club

Submission from the Barlow Hunt Supporters Club relating to the impact of a ban on hunting with dogs on the Social and Cultural Life of the Countryside.

This submission should be read with the understanding that should hunting be banned the Barlow Hunt would cease to exist and that all the activities described below would also cease. The Barlow Hunt would not revert to draghunting

The Barlow Hunt

The Barlow Hunt is a small hunt comprising less than 100 subscribers whose kennels are situated between Sheffield, South Yorkshire and Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The country hunted is mainly in North East Derbyshire. The kennels and approximately 800 acres surrounding them are owned by the hunt thanks to a legacy left by Elsie Wilson, a previous master whose family had owned the entire hunt since the end of the 19^th century. The hunt meets each Tuesday and Friday (with occasional Saturdays) during the season November to March. The hunt is financed from the subscriptions of members, a contribution from the estate company which was formed to manage the residue of Elsie Wilson's estate and contributions in cash and kind from the Barlow Hunt Supporters Club.

Objectives of the Barlow Hunt Supporters Club.

The Barlow Hunt Supporters Club has been in existence for approximately 30 years Its objectives are to raise money to contribute to the running of the hunt, to assist in the promotion of hunting in general and to organise social activities' for its members. Each year it also donates money to a designated charity.

Membership

All subscribers to the Hunt automatically become members of the Supporters Club. Others may become members by payment of an annual fee of £25. Total membership currently numbers 83, with 36 of this number paying the annual fee.

Membership Profile.

Members of the club are drawn from all walks of life. Approximately 42% are old age pensioners. The wide spread of social backgrounds can be exampled by examining the committee, which comprises :

Midwife
Company Secretary of a local business
Police Superintendent
Cook
Bank Clerk
Farmer
Retired NHS Executive
Housewife and mother.
Schoolteacher

Club Activities

A typical year in the life of the supporters club is described below :

January

The Hunt Ball is held every year at a local venue in Sheffield. Approximately 280 people attend, many of whom have no direct connection with hunting but view the ball as one of the highlights of their social year. A local band is hired to play and much business is directed towards taxi firms in transporting guests to and from the venue.

February

A social gathering on a theme eg Valentines night is held at a local, rural public house. The premises are opened especially for the hunt and the bar profits are shared with the hunt and the licensee. Approximately 50 people attend.

March

Two social evenings are held for the farmers who live in the hunt country. These events are free for farmers and their families and provide a welcome opportunity for them to gather together in a convivial atmosphere at minimal cost, which is particularly important at the moment due to the current farming crisis. These events are held in local village halls or rural public houses, which generates much needed income for these venues. Food such as pie and peas is purchased from local caterers. Approximately 90 - 100 people attend each event. Local musicians provide entertainment.

An end of season party is held at the home of a supporters club member which normally attracts 80 - 100 guests, again many of them local farmers. Food and drink for refreshments are purchased locally.

April.

A Hunter Trials (cross country horse jumping competition) is held at the permanent course which is built on hunt owned land around the kennels. This is one of only two permanent courses available to horse riders in the area south of Sheffield. Most of the 100 or so participants do not hunt but wish to participate in this exciting equestrian activity, some travelling from up to 50 miles away to do so. At least 35 supporters club members are involved in running the day and without the hunt this opportunity would not be available to local riders. Classes are designed to cater for novice riders as well as those more experienced.

May

A fashion show is held at a local village hall attracting women from throughout the hunt country, whether hunt followers or not. This is a very welcome opportunity for women, many of whom live isolated lives on farms, to congregate in a friendly atmosphere. The fashion show is a profit making activity for the local firm involved as many items of clothes are bought. Approximately 80 -100 people attend.

July

A county fair is held at the hunt kennels with attractions including fly fishing, clay pigeon shooting, muzzle loading demonstration, morris dancing, mountain bike racing, rum1 craft displays, Young Farmers Club competition, Vintage tractors, brass band etc. Because of our proximity to Sheffield many of the 300 plus people attending the fair are city dwellers

who appreciate the opportunity to taste the rural way of life. Donations are given to all people demonstrating their skills which enables them to pursue their activities. Local businesses are supported in the hire of marquees, purchase of food and drink for resale and trade stands. A local scout troop is given the opportunity to camp on hunt land for a weekend in return for assistance on the day and a donation is given to their troop funds.

An annual cricket match is held between the hunt and a local village team, with monies raised from the sale of refreshments and a home made cake stall going to support the local team.

October

The club sponsors hedgelaying and drystonewalling competitions at 4 local ploughing matches. A free hospitality tent is also provided at each match. These ploughing matches are one of the few remaining countryside traditions in this part of the world and without the hunt support their future would be problematic. In particular the skills of hedgelaying and dry stone walling are under threat, which skills have created the Derbyshire countryside in its present form. The supporters club has donated a perpetual silver trophy to one of the ploughing matches in memory of a local farmer, who was well respected in both farming and hunting circles.

A mounted escorted ride is held which caters for all levels of riding ability and gives on average 120 riders from a wide area the opportunity to ride on land not normally available to them and keeps them safe from the dangers of modern traffic, if only for a brief period. Most of these riders are do not come hunting but appreciate the opportunity to ride across the countryside on private land.

Two further social evenings are held for farmers similar to the ones held in March.

November

A party to mark the beginning of the season is held at a members house. All club members and friends of the hunt are welcome to attend, numbering approximately 80. Again food and drink for refreshments are purchased locally, often directly from local farmers.

December

A pantomime or Christmas revue is performed at a local civic centre over two nights, with some 120 people attending each night. This entertainment is provided at a much lower cost than a professional production, enabling people on limited incomes to attend. The espirit de corps generated between cast and audience is significant. Many non supporters club members attend and we are greatly assisted by the members of a local amateur operatic and dramatic society. Refreshments are again provided by local caterers.

Charity Donations.

As mentioned above the Supporters Club donates annually to a designated charity. The year 2000 will see a significant sum donated to the local St John Ambulance Brigade, who attend many of our events. Recipients in previous years have been Riding for the Disabled (£1000) and a local children's heart disease fund (£750)

Importance of hunting to members.

An informal poll has been conducted amongst the members of the supporters club. The following answers were received :

(The 6% who reported their opinion that it would be important to replace foxhunting with draghunting placed the caveat on their response that this was their opinion only if this was the only way hounds could be kept alive)

Submitted by Joan Williams,
Chair Barlow Hunt Supporters Club

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Date uploaded to site 30 May 2000