2001
30/12/01 Charlie Visits the Meynell
Prince Charles honoured the Meynell and South Staffordshire Foxhunt by
accompanying them on their first true hunt of the season on Saturday.
Numbers of hunt support were low because the meet, at Osmaston near
Ashbourne, had not been advertised. Despite this, local hunt saboteurs
also honoured the hunt with their presence for this major event! There
were no kills while saboteurs were present (usually evident by bloodied
hounds or the horn blow of the huntsman).
The hunt's previous Boxing Day meet at Abbots Bromley had been reduced
to a simple parade due to the freezing weather. Local hunt saboteurs
were also present for this meet.
22/12/01 A-HUNTING WE WON'T GO
The first two Derbyshire hunts which had received permits to commence
hunting, both cancelled their opening meets at the last minute, due to
the weather. The High Peak Harriers (based in Bakewell) and the Barlow
Foxhunt had both declared their intentions to start hunting today.
Sub zero temperatures last night, created conditions too
dangerous for horse riding. There was widespread frost and ice and
showers of snow in some areas of the Peak District. The High Peak were
to meet at Harboro Rocks, an area known to be rich in hares, to train
their young beagles to hunt and kill this prey. The Barlow were to meet
in the village of Barlow itself, to formally celebrate the lifting of
restrictions.
Hunt saboteurs from Derby and Sheffield were present at both meets. With
so many hunts, which are either still waiting for their permits or
who cannot currently meet all the DEFRA requirements, it is the first
ever season in the Midlands, where Hunt Saboteur Groups outnumber active
Hunts.
18/12/01 ANIMAL RESCUE ATTEMPTS
There were two seperate attempts by firecrews and the RSPCA to rescue a horse and cow yesterday. The 25 year-old horse had collapsed and become wedged under a fallen tree in a field in Mackworth. The horse after the rescue failed to recover and was put to sleep. The cow which had got her head stuck in a feeding ring near Oakwood fared better and was successfully rescued.
6/12/01 WILDLIFE RETURNS
Rare species such as the red kite, white clawed crayfish and otter are returning to Derbyshire after a £6 million cash boost. The announcement was made by the Government's wildlife advisor, English Nature, which is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its species recovery programme at a conference near Alfreton this week.
6/12/01 CHICKEN FAT FUEL
Fat used to roast chickens in Asda's canteens is being recycled into clean burning diesel fuel. So think twice before filling up your sab van at an Asda station!
4/12/01 FARMERS' WINDFALL
Cash-strapped farmers in Derbyshire could get money for allowing small wind turbine generators on their land. A Government programme called Windworks
envisages up to three wind farms, on exposed and windy areas with good potential, for generating electricity for the National Grid.
3/12/01 ANIMAL FAN DEFENDS FOXES
Peter Ambler has leapt to the defence of foxes after they came in for criticism from some residents of Spondon. Mr Ambler spends £80 a week feeding the foxes that visit his garden in Derby. They are so used to him that they will eat out of his hand. He estimates about 20 foxes regularly visit him. He said "Foxes are small, shy creatures and unlikely to attack a pet. They are harmless.
"
29/11/01 RSPCA BACKS AIRGUN BILL
The RSPCA is calling on MP's to back a Private Member's Bill curtailing the use of airguns and calling for them to be licensed.
26/11/01 RSPCA PLEA ON CHICKEN CRUELTY
Shoppers are being urged by the RSPCA to consider the plight of some of the 820 million chickens bred for the UK meat industry every year and buy responsibly. The RSPCA has identified (in contrast to Viva 20 years ago!) the main symptoms of intensively reared chickens are sudden heart failure, leg pains, ammonia burns and skin infections. (I wonder if they will continue with their freedom foods promotion (using factory farmed animals) alongside this campaign?!)
16/11/01 OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR FIREWORK BAN
A campaign by a Derby woman to impose restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks has got off to a resounding start with overwhelming support from local people. Lesley Deegan runs an animal rescue centre at Chellaston. She is concerned at the way fireworks are set off in the weeks up to and after November 5th and the fear they cause animals. Bob Laxton, Derby North MP, is proposing a Private Members Bill to restrict the the sale of fireworks to organised events. To support the campaign, please write to Mrs Deegan at The Covert, Aston Lane, Chellaston, Derby, DE73 1TT.
16/11/01 HUNT RESTRAINT APPEAL
LACS committee member and deputy leader of Derby City Council, Chris Williamson, today urged huntsmen not to take advantage of Government moves to relax restrictions on foxhunting in FMD-free zones. Unfortunately Chris, I think you're grasping at straws expecting any sort of common sense from the pro-hunt fraternity.
31/10/01 HALLOWEEN EVE DEMO - 4 IN HOSPITAL
On Tuesday evening 4 Newchurch protesters were hospitalised by
security guards at Ivy Bank Farm. They were bludgeoned to the ground
and all had to be sent by ambulance to Burton hospital with head wounds.
One man has been kept in for x-rays and observation of three serious
head wounds, after being beaten so severely that he was unrecognisable
and has lost teeth. The police arrived after pleas for assistance from
the other demonstrators, but when they got there, all were told to leave
immediately or be arrested (under the new section 42). One man refused
and stayed with one of the injured, but was arrested for his kindness. (Staffs Constabulary on their usual fine, unbiased, professional form there. Hope you're proud of yourselves, lads...)
So far none of the security guards have been arrested for this
unprovoked attack. (employees of "security support group", Bristol). People had promised to turn up for the demo but didn't, their numbers would have made all the difference. There was a demo (advertised in the latest newsletter) organised for
Halloween in support of those injured as well as the guinea pigs.
27/10/01 New PDSA centre to open
Injured and sick pets across the county will be able to to receive treatment in a new £650k hi-tech Derby veterinary hospital from Monday. The People's Dispensary fo Sick Animals - which offers free treatment for pet owners on low incomes is to officially open its new pet hospital in London Road to replace the existing small centre in Normanton Road.
26/10/01 COLGAN APPEAL WON
Mr (in)Justice Cook judged the 5-year Kennel Club ban of Phyllis Colgan to be unfair. The Kennel Club is planning to appeal the decision but if unsuccessful will de forced to reinstate her membership. It should not be up to a court to decide if somebody can be a member of a club, but up to the club committee itself. Complaining of loss of earnings is a joke. If someone is found guilty of criminal negligence at work they will get fired - there is absolutely no difference in this case! Someone who lets 10 dogs die in her care, is not fit to continue looking after dogs in my view.
26/10/01 BURGLAR CAUGHT
John Walsh of Holcombe Street, Derby admitted yesterday burgling the house of the Derby couple whose dog died after a sofa was dropped on top of her (see 18/9/01). He does however, deny killing the dog and was "shocked to hear of it
" according to his defence, Martin Smith. (It seems farcical that under British Law, it is possible to give a greater punishment for the crime of burglary than animal cruelty!)
23/10/01 HUNTING BAN IN DERBYSHIRE STILL ON
Foot and Mouth restrictions preventing any hunting with hounds in Derbyshire is expected to continue until at least the New Year according to the latest reports. The news report in question featured the Four Shires Bloodhound Pack which must have recently moved to the area, as its new address is New House Farm, Hulland Ward (near Ashbourne). (Bloodhounds chase a human quarry in a similar way to drag hunts.)
18/10/01 APPEAL ON KENNEL CLUB BAN
A high court judge is expected to rule soon on an appeal by Phyllis Colgan on the decision by the Kennel Club to ban her from showing after being convicted of permitting unnecessary suffering to 10 of her prize-winning Newfoundland dogs. They died of heat exhaustion while being transported to her home in Bonsall Lane, Winster, Matlock in 1998. Now she's complaining about victimisation and unfairness after getting away with only a Kennel Club ban and an absolute discharge from the courts! I wonder how her dogs felt?!!
13/10/01 ANIMAL ACTION AWARDS ON OFFER
The IFAW is offering a trophy to the most deserving animal lover who rescues sick or injured creatures. So sabs/anti-vivisectionists get writing, you deserve it as much as anyone!! Nominations to: Animal Action Awards, Animal Action Week Office, Berkeley House, 186 High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1EY, by December 31st. Nominators and nominees full names and addresses must be included. (Err... perhaps not!)
10/10/01 DAFT AS A BRUSH
If everyone is fed up of the same old propaganda against foxes, trawled out by the pro-hunt fraternity to justify their sick pastime may I suggest they take lessons from the insane ramblings of their urban cousins? Foxes are guilty of killing pets (cats!), digging up plants, vandalising a conservatory (try shutting the door - doh!), playing chicken on a local road and harrassing the elderly according to the latest wild accusations from a small group of 'burbs' from Spondon. Patricia Daft (I kid you not!) of 31 Vancouver Avenue, Spondon collected 49 signatures from locals complaining about the foxes who go around in a gang of 20 or so.
A further source stated that 'The gang can often be seen hanging around the local off-license intimidating people into buying alcohol and cigarettes for them.' On a serious note this is such a waste of our resources, as we have been patrolling the area, in case local terrier-boys want a bit of sport during F&M. Attacks on urban wildlife are on the increase in Sheffield at the moment and we don't want the same happening in Derby.
Since the feature there have been a number of letters saying what absolute rubbish the accusations were, including people in Spondon.
26/9/01 KITTEN IMPALED ON STICK
The RSPCA has launched an investigation after a kitten was discovered impaled on a stick. The kitten called Tiggy managed to crawl home and received emergency surgery at Scarsdale Surgery. She is recovering well despite the seriousness of the attack in Pentewan Close, Allestree. Anyone with info please phone the RSPCA hotline on 08705 555999.
26/9/01 LAMB BEATEN TO DEATH BY BOY
A boy bludgeoned to death a sick lamb with a stick the Derby Youth Court heard today. When his blows failed to kill the lamb, a colleague stamped on the lamb's head until it stopped moving. The group of youths then laughed. The group when interviewed by police claimed they had found the sick lamb, tried returning it to the wrong farmer (who, being a good neighbour and animal lover, refused to take it!) and then decided to 'put it out of its misery'. The boy received 16 hour placement with the RSPCA and an 18 hour attendance centre order.
20/9/01 RSPCA CALLS FOR STRICTER CONTROLS ON AIRGUNS
RSPCA is calling for the Government to introduce licensing of airguns after a huge rise in the number of wildlife and pets injured by these weapons. Cats are specifically singled out as the animal most at risk from airguns as 2 cats were shot and seriously injured in one month in Derbyshire alone. The campaign for tighter controls on airguns began a number of years ago but really started in Derbyshire with the sickening shooting of Ilkeston schoolgirl Jasmine Proverbs.
18/9/01 DOG CRUSHED BY BURGLERS
Burglars broke into a house on Osmaston Road, Derby on Saturday the 8th between 8.15pm and 11.45pm and stole £3000 worth of goods. What's this got to do with animals - well these guys are the lowest scum on the Earth. On returning to their house Dave and Norma Burnett found their West Highland Terrier, Trixie dead. The harmless, friendly terrier had been held down while the burglars dropped a sofa on her and broke her back. Any information on these ****ers please contact Derby police on 290100.
8/9/01 (BRIEF) CELEBRATIONS FOR THE DERBYSHIRE CPL
Our sincere congratulations to the Derbyshire branch of the Cats Protection League who is today celebrating finding homes for 5000 cats, since it opened 3 years ago. Derbyshire has some terrific organisations which care for neglected or abandoned animals of which the CPL is just one. It's large centre at Dalbury Lees still has 327 cats which require rehoming in addition to the private homes of dedicated members dotted around Derbyshire who care for up to a dozen cats each. The CPL also offers free neutering for cat owners on a low income (erm, that's neutering for the cats, not the owners).
27/8/01 DERBYSHIRE DECLARED DISEASE-FREE
Derbyshire was today declared free from the Foot and Mouth virus, in contrast to the current further outbreaks in Northumberland. Unfortunately, this means that not only will domestic farm animals start being shipped to abattoirs, but the break from persecution that our wildlife has enjoyed over the last few months is finally over. Let the torture and killing commence (and we'll be out there trying to stop it)!
20/8/01 FISHING INJURES WILDLIFE (BESIDES FISH)
The RSPCA is appealing again to the public to not leave their litter lying around because it can kill and injure wildlife. Despite their campaign, cygnets at a Fishing Lake near Weston-on-Trent have been the latest victims of litter-related injuries. Estelle Vincent, RSPCA spokeswoman said "A cygnet was found with three hooks embedded in its body and another had line wrapped around its neck, wings and legs. Both incidents were caused because fishing material had not been cleared up."
So as not cause any controversy and sound as if the RSPCA were condemning fishing generally, she added "This is a mindless minority." Yeah right, I bet there isn't a single serious fisherman in the country who can claim he's never cut his line when it's got snagged. That's why they stopped using lead weights.
15/8/01 SNGP FINDS NEW PROMOTIONAL ANGLE
Anyone remember the I'd rather wear drag than fur
promotion a couple of years ago down in London? Today some brave lads and lassies from Yorkshire outdid this quite (un?)comfortably outside the Newchurch Guinea Pig Breeding Farm. Their large banner was emblazoned with THE NAKED TRUTH: vivisection - scientific fraud.
Fortunately (or unfortunately - depending on your viewpoint) the banner was large enough to offer them some protection from the sun, prying eyes and the attentions of the Staffordshire Constabulary! Diane Sanderson, Louise Stevenson, Anne Shields and James Thomas of the NORTHERN ANIMAL RIGHTS ALLIANCE thought this may be a good way of getting the public's attention on a peaceful protest. Fortunately it was a warm day, so James had nothing to be ashamed of!
The protest was successful and so uneventful, the police did not even attend. I wouldn't recommend doing this at a Derbyshire demo - look what happened to the banner last time!
7/7/01 ANOTHER SNGP PROTEST
A national demonstration organised by Save the newchurch Guinea Pigs, hit the streets of Burton today. Unlike the previous one, the march ran without major incident and kept the infamous farm in the public's attention.
22/6/01 MP's PUSH FOR HUNT BILL
Tony Banks, former sports minister tabled a motion urging the government to secure a total ban on hunting with hounds within the next 12 months. 150 backbench MP's signed the motion including Bob Laxton (Derby North), Liz Blackman (Erewash), Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley), Nick Palmer (Broxstowe), and Janet Dean (Burton).
20/6/01 MARGARET BECKETT HEADING HUNT BAN
With her new job as Secretary of State for the Department Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (the new name for MAFF), Ms Beckett has found herself in middle of the long-running battle of whether to ban hunting or not. The government has promised another free vote on the subject in their manifesto and Queen's Speech but stopped short of using the Parliament Act to push the legislation by the House of Lords. Ms Beckett voted for an outright ban in January's free vote.
12/5/01 MEYNELL HUNT MASTER DIES
On the 4th May, David Christian Francis Meynell died of a heart attack at home at the tender age of 61. Mr Meynell was master of the Meynell Hunt for about 15 years and also had the dubious claim-to-fame of being the great-grandson of Hugo Meynell, known as 'the father of hunting', from whom the Meynell Hunt and hunting with hounds originated.
In 1980 he spoke to the Derby Evening Telegraph. He said 'We are the most constant targets for criticism and adverse comment in the whole gamut of sporting life. By comparison with a Hunt Master, 1st Division football mangers lead lives of idyllic ease'. (He neglected to admit that football managers very rarely hunt down and kill opposition players on the field.)
He was described as a 'loving man' by family and friends (local foxes declined to comment...). He was buried yesterday following a service at the Church of Holy Angels, Hoar Cross. (It is rumoured, that night, local terrier-men dug up his body and threw it to the hounds as a mark of respect for his long service to the cause.)
28/4/01 SNGP HITS DERBY
Save the Newchurch Guinea-Pigs Campaigners made a surprise visit to Derby today coinciding with Anti-vivisection Week. 
What started as a fluffy demo in the market place, soon turned to mayhem when protesters marched onto the cockpit island (the busiest road junction in Derby). The police waded in doing Derby proud. A witness claimed that the police were indiscriminately hitting out at protesters. 15 people were arrested, of which 10 have been charged.
The Campaign was criticised for not giving the police notice of the demonstration. This contravenes section 14 of the Public Order Act which demands that advance notice must be given to the police of any public assembly of more than 20 people. Unfortunately it is police forces up and down the country, who have brought this problem on themselves. When legally notified, it is the policy of many constabularies to herd (even force-march) demonstrations around quiet backstreets. Not the ideal, when you want to get a message across.
Mr H. Simpson of Chaddesden commented on his terror of the violent anarchists: 'I was just about to leave McDonalds after a delicious lunch when I found myself confronted by hundreds of big, burly vegan eco-feminists waving a deadly banner. I immediately ran back inside McD's and ordered the staff to lock the doors. Myself and a number of other customers were forced to stay in all afternoon and finish off the food to stop it from going to waste. I have never felt so sick (with fear) before.'
Derby is the closest city to the infamous Newchurch Farm, owned by David Hall. The farm breeds guinea pigs for the vivisection industry in similar conditions to those experienced by broiler chickens. To the people of Derby: You can expect more demonstrations against this farm, so get used to it!!
30/4/01 PREGNANT HORSE HANGED
The body of a horse was found mutilated and hanged in a field at Newton, near Alfreton yesterday afternoon. The police are connecting it to a previous incident where a horse was discovered stabbed to death. Both horses were owned by the same breeder. (Within the week the breeder was arrested and charged.)
12/4/01 TWYCROSS IS VOTED BEST
Today at the ninth annual Parent Friendly Awards, Twycross Zoo won an award as the best family day out in Britain. This zoo is thought by many to be one of the worst offenders for animal exploitation and is home to the infamous PG Chimps. Alton Towers came a close second which just goes to show how warped this whole award ceremony was. ("Here kiddies, want to see us shoot some lovely fluffy little animals?")
8/3/01 LOCAL MP SLATES ALTON TOWERS
Alton Towers decided to kill their 18 healthy livestock due to the FMD outbreak. Although they have a large acreage of land and enough buildings to guarantee a quarantine, they just couldn't be bothered. (Oh, well you can always buy some more - how cold and ruthless are these people?) Bob Laxton, one of our local MP's, condemned this action publicly today.
16/1/01 NOVARTIS GETS A REPRIEVE
A planned demonstration organised by the animal rights campaign 'STOP HUNTINGDON ANIMAL CRUELTY' (SHAC) was cancelled at the last minute. The demo was aimed at NOVARTIS in Alfreton who are customers of HUNTINGDON LIFE SCIENCES. HLS is the largest maboratory in Europe, which test on animals and employees have previously been prosecuted for animal cruelty. Undercover footage has shown other employees acting unprofessionally by rigging test results and drinking during work hours!
17/1/01 MP'S VOTE FOR HUNTING BAN
This was a good day for the anti-hunt movement and for Derbyshire as a whole. MP's voted overwhelmingly (387 to 174) for a complete ban on hunting with hounds. Derbyshire is a Labour stronghold and this was reflected by their overall contribution. The 12 local Labour MP's who voted for an outright ban were: Harry Barnes (NE Derbyshire), Margaret Becket (Derby South), Tony Benn (Chesterfield), Liz Blackman (Erewash), Janet Dean (Burton), Bob Laxton (Derby North), Tom Levitt (High Peak), Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley), Nick Palmer (Broxstowe), Dennis Skinner (Bolsover), David Taylor (NW Leicestershire) and Mark Todd (S Derbyshire). Surprisingly, (sarcasm) Patrick McLoughlin Tory MP for W Derbyshire (Meynell Country), voted against the ban!
DAR's spokesperson made the following statement to the Derby Evening Telegraph:
This is great news. I am confident that this is the beginning of the end for hunting with hounds and the House of Lords will have to take notice of this vote (well, he can't always be right!). But it must be ensured that the laws are drawn up carefully with no loop-holes. I think drag hunting will be an adequate replacement.
The main thing that will come out of this is the decriminilisation of certain aspects of hunt sabotage.
Pro-hunting Tory MP James Gray said that any ban would be flouted (not when we're around Jim!). He went on to say 'the single issue hooligans and terrorists' must not be allowed to win. Hang on Jim, I thought you were supporting the pro-hunt lobby? Assistant Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police said that officers would not be on hand to ensure legal drag hunts. No surprise there really, when au least one of their Supers goes out hunting regularly with the Barlow...
While we're on the subject of police, Jack Straw voted for the 'Middle way option' (you radical so and so). Don't you ever feel like you're in the wrong Party, Jack?
Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end...
6/1/01 CHARLIE COMES A CROPPER!
Prince Charles decided to celebrate the official new Millenium in style by helping the Meynell & SS Hunt kill and maim some of Derbyshire's wildlife. Only used to the lowlands in the SE of England, he found the Derbyshire terrain slightly more demanding and fell off his horse! Gamely continuing to ride for the rest of the day despite his injury (so as not to miss any bloody killing) it was later discovered he had broken a small bone in his shoulder. Unfortunately there was no serious injuries but he would not be able to hunt again for a while. (Quite a long while when hunting was stopped during the FMD outbreak.) Alas, we missed this wonderful spectacle - how much would 'You've been framed' pay for this camcorder cropper?!