27th August 2015
Katie Angus & Friends Make History At The 148th Bucks County Show
Katie Angus from Buckinghamshire took an anti hunting message to the 2015 Bucks County Show for the first time in its 148 year history!
After a really long day, it’s time for an update!!
So for the first time in the 148 year history of Bucks County Show, today there was an anti-fox hunting presence! Myself & 2 good friends, accompanied by my good old dad, set up our modest table at the biggest agricultural show in the country! We had no idea what to expect to be honest. It was a first & anything was possible!
Our stand was really out of the way which was a shame but according to the organisers it was difficult to fit us in so late on. But there was a steady flow of visitors past the stand & lots of people who stopped by! Some to voice their support & encouragement for what we were doing, some who wanted to give us their pro Hunt views, most of which did so respectfully, & the odd person who just wanted to have a go at us!! Which we were prepared for.
We were told they had “been expecting trouble”! They certainly got no trouble from us. Other than a presence they clearly didn’t want. But we were professional & respectful to all who approached & we managed to educate several people about foxes & their behaviour, & to dispel a few myths which was our aim! Once you understand them, & the proven ineffectiveness of fox hunting, it’s extremely difficult for an empathetic & compassionate mind to see any justification for animals being chased to a death of being torn to bits by dogs! It was great to have the opportunity to do this, & to discuss the statistical facts of the ineffectiveness with pro Hunt supporters. I’m sure we also gave some of them some food for thought.
One pro Hunt supporter commended our efforts & said they were pleased we were there to reflect a balanced view.
Thankfully society is changing its attitudes towards bloodsports & animal welfare matters. In both rural & urban communities. Our presence today was a huge step forward for the majority of us who are opposed to fox hunting & in support of the ban. It’s a reflection of the shift in attitudes towards fox hunting & the fact it’s now an outdated pastime of a minority.
Going forwards, there are lots of plans to ensure this progress continues! We will of course be applying for a stand at next years Bucks County Show & this time, with a bit of help from other volunteers we’ll have time to put a proper stand together to give us a greater presence. The good news as well is that once you’ve been at the show once, you have a priority place the following year so hopefully it won’t be the same level of challenge it’s been this year. But if it is, that won’t put us off.
A committee of volunteers will be formed & across every region we will be targeting as many county shows as we have the resources to cover to ensure they follow in the footsteps of Bucks County Show in accepting a Pro Ban presence at next years shows. Thank you all so much for all the messages of support, for signing & sharing the petition & for helping me make this happen! This is just the beginning…..❤️ x
NOTE: Katies petition now stands at over 125,000! If you’ve not yet signed it please do so here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/564/084/639/stop-bucks-county-show-from-promoting-fox-hunting/
21 Comments | Leave a comment
Jen Wall says:
Posted August 28, 2015 at 10:04 am
Great to hear that you made the effort to educate people into the truth about fox hunting. Lets hope one day we can completely change the way people think so they all realise that it is morally wrong to kill an animal for sport.
Patricia Rayner says:
Posted August 28, 2015 at 10:42 am
Well done so proud of you. Planning to do same on Isle of Wight, but number of venues won’t allow us!
Helen Myers says:
Posted August 28, 2015 at 11:42 am
Thanks for your work. I applaud your being so proactive in this fight. Fox hunting, as you say, should engender compassionate in most people once they understand what that entails. I live in U.s. but I am with you in your campaign.
Phillip Parfitt says:
Posted August 30, 2015 at 12:39 am
Animal cruelty for “sport” or for anything else is wrong in any country, and I am sure the vast majority of people agree. Britain is supposed to be a nation of animal lovers but when you see what some people do in the name of sport and tradition in the UK it makes you wonder why we can say this. It is the 21st century and time that medieval pastimes and cruel traditions were stopped.
Iris Mansi says:
Posted August 28, 2015 at 5:50 pm
I am very happy to see this effective way to further the keeping of the Hunt ban, very well done to all involved
N Bryant says:
Posted August 28, 2015 at 6:30 pm
You must have felt really unwelcomed there, it would just antagonise the majority of country sports lovers, you are not going to change anyone’s views just be there where you are not welcome
Denise Putt says:
Posted September 01, 2015 at 2:38 pm
Clearly, from Katie’s article, this was not the case. Most of the pro-hunt people were respectful. Other people listened to her. My sister and brother-in-law are livestock farmers and anti-hunt as was my late husband. My late uncle had been joint master of a hunt but always said he respected my views. Katie encountered cery little nastiness. It is time for a more balanced representation at agricultural shows.
Susan Abbiss Stubbs says:
Posted August 28, 2015 at 6:39 pm
I’m fully behind you on this.
Caroline Piper says:
Posted August 28, 2015 at 7:35 pm
Well done, fabulous job! So inspiring to see someone stand up for their convictions
Barbara Burgin says:
Posted August 28, 2015 at 8:26 pm
Love to see this at Bakewell Show next year
cindy curtis says:
Posted August 28, 2015 at 10:18 pm
So pleased at your brave efforts against cruelty to foxes. It cannot have been easy to attend an event such as that. All the very best . you are not alone!
Phillip Parfitt says:
Posted August 28, 2015 at 10:28 pm
Excellent, very well done. It is about time that the views of the majority of the people in this country were heard at these shows. There is no place for medieval cruelty in a civilised country in the 21st century. Keep up the good work!
Anna Bohach says:
Posted August 29, 2015 at 1:57 am
Congratulations Katie, this is a fantastic achievement. Our group of fox lovers on Facebook, Foxy Fans United, would like to offer you our total support.
I am sure that our members scattered across the UK, will be happy to volunteer to provide support for your initiatives. Please let us know how we can help.
Mike hopes says:
Posted August 29, 2015 at 2:56 pm
What about the Herts show next year….
David Boylan says:
Posted August 29, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Fantastic effort. Very well done. This war will won by dispelling the myths and making sure people are properly informed. Best wishes for future events.
Anthony Proctor says:
Posted August 30, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Well done ! You deserve to be very proud of yourselves !
pete says:
Posted August 31, 2015 at 2:49 pm
Well done Kate n co an amazing witness. Stunned you got away with it and its a huge step forward for the future. Nice one.
Helen Blackburn says:
Posted August 31, 2015 at 9:33 pm
Well done!! We need people like yourselves at all countryside shows. Hunting is a cruel and unnecessary way to kill foxes.
Susie Pitman says:
Posted September 01, 2015 at 2:01 pm
Well done!! Keep going and we will get this outdated bloods port banned once and for all! Time for everyone to respect wildlife, livestock and animals all over, and stop the cruelty.
John Rimington Hare Preservation Trust says:
Posted September 21, 2015 at 6:23 pm
The dogs on display at this show included beagles, which must have come from the local hare hunt, although only foxes were mentioned in all the coverage of the show.
Can someone put me in email touch with Katie please so that we can discuss future events. I am the Technical Officer for the Hare Preservation Trust and a specialist in all aspects relating to this animal.
HoundsOff says:
Posted September 22, 2015 at 7:43 am
We’ve passed on your message, John