18 October 2001.
News Release
Direct action to save our rural way of life
A new voluntary organisation is being launched that will co-ordinate determined resistance to any attempt to ban, or restrict legitimate country pursuits unfairly, and promote a working, sustainable countryside.
The Countryside Action Network is the result of widespread distrust of the Government’s handling of rural matters – and in particular the threats to hunting and to farming.
Spokesman for the new organisation, Janet George, said: “There is widespread concern about the future for hunting, particularly in Scotland, where MSPs have ignored the advice of their own rural development committee and voted to push ahead with a Bill so flawed that it is unworkable. The cack-handed way in which the Government has handled Foot and Mouth Disease has driven farming to its knees, and it seems unlikely there will be any hunting this year. This has put most hunts under tremendous financial pressure as they struggle to continue to provide subsidised deadstock collection services to farmers, and to care for their horses and hounds. Those who care passionately about the future of our countryside and country sports are angry: they are no longer prepared just to pay their subscriptions to one or more organisations and hope for the best. They want to DO something positive.”
The Countryside Action Network is an independent organisation that will:
· Support and promote the future of hunting with dogs.
· Promote opportunities for local participation in protests against government or other action that threatens rural activities.
· Actively campaign against animal ‘rights’ extremism.
· Co-operate with other organisations whose objectives and activities are allied with our own and set up a regional network to motivate, mobilise and co-ordinate support.
· Encourage positive and proactive initiatives to foster better understanding of country pursuits and other rural issues at local levels.
National Steering Group: Peter Gent, Janet George, Peter Hole.
Email: info@countrysideaction.net
Web: http://www.countrysideaction.net
Notes for Editors:
Steering Committee:
Peter Gent
Age 54
Lives S Wales
Married 2 adult children
Retired Company Director
Admitted hunting fanatic (in nicest sense of word) and committed campaigner in defence of all country sports. Footslogger, spent many years (40+) following hounds in Midlands with some spent whipping in to the Staffordshire Beagles and Border Counties Mink Hounds
Now an enthusiastic member of the ‘4x4 Brigade’, following the Curre, Llangibby, Brecon, Radnor & West, Monmouthshire & Ledbury Foxhounds.
Not a rider – but with a very active interest in point to pointing. Owns 2 geldings, currently with Christine Hardinge.
Part of the management team which organised the Cardiff Rally (2000) on behalf of the CA
Founder member of the S Wales RAG, which carried out the Severn Bridge blockade.
‘Thought’ – quote Edmund Burke – “all that good men have to do to lose their liberty and their rights is simply to do nothing”
Janet George
Age: Never mind!
Lives Worcs/Shropshire Borders
Married.
Self-employed web designer
Born and brought up in Sydney, Australia. Came to UK in 1980 to further equestrian career, married and stayed. Worked for the British Field Sports Society (now Countryside Alliance) from 1993 (as Area PRO), promoted to head of PR by Robin Hanbury-Tenison in 1996 and managed the hugely successful media campaigns associated with the Countryside Rally (10.7.97) and the Countryside March (1.3.98). Sacked by newly appointed CE Edward Duke. Joined British Horse Society in November 1998 as Head of Public Affairs and took over as Acting Chief Executive in June 2000, resigned in March 2001. Now working from home as a web designer (http://www.hounds.org.uk , http://www.saddle-up.org.uk and other sites.) Husband Robert, a computer network specialist, is Joint Master of the United Pack.
Peter Hole
Born and brought up in Sussex. Educated Rye Grammar School & Wadham College, Oxford. Retired Bank Manager.
Lived in the West Riding of Yorkshire for 40 years and virtually gone native.
Only took up hunting in his mid thirties. Joint Master of the Colne Valley Beagles for 19 Seasons. Now hunts, when possible, 4 days a week with local packs and further afield.
Joint organiser of Penistone By election Campaign in 1979, which was acknowledged by James Callaghan on national TV as a factor behind Labour’s poor showing and active in defence of our sports ever since. Awarded BFSS Certificate for outstanding service in 1980 and subsequently West Yorkshire County Chairman for many years. A past President of the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles.
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