Wigan Album

RON, I remember seeing the Holcombe Hunt outside the Balcarres Pub in the early 1990s.
I’m sure I saw them later than that in the fields around Haigh but, I think they were tending to keep things quiet by that time.

I hope they all fell off and broke their necks.

Lovely photo of my favourite place near Haigh church, it brings so many comforting memories to me the 60s of my childhood days. It used to be traditional in those days Hunting.Thankyou for a lovely photo its means a lot to me seeing these lovely photos.

Spot on Irene, so do I.

Irene Roberts, I couldn't agree more!

Irene! Steady on gal! Have you got your angry head on today?

Yes, dTease, I always have got my angry head on when it comes to those morons. Evil scum. Not the horses and dogs, who have no choice, but the so-called humans who enjoy a good day's so-called "sport" and a celebrate with a "stirrup-cup". I have no qualms whatsoever by saying I hope it chokes them. Apart from that I am my usual sunny self!

could not agree more with every word of your coments Irene as said spot on!!!

I must say I would be hard put to argue with your comments Irene.

It is easy to from an opinion when you have no direct experience of foxes but they are far from being the cute fluffy animals you see them as. They are to those who live in the countryside and make a living from it a serious nuisance along with mink, squirrels, moles and badgers. They destroy property, carry disease and kill simply for pleasure. If you were ever unfortunate enough to loose pets to them and see around 200 of your own animals ripped to shreds by them in a single a night simply for pleasure as I have you would be hard pressed not to agree with me.

Thanks, DTease, and I'm so glad, but if you disagreed you would be entitled to your opinion....we all are. But I will always stand up for those who can't speak.....foxes, horses, dogs and all. As The Carpenters sang: "Bless the beasts and the children. For in this world they have no voice....they have no choice".

Love your comments Irene, I think we are all in agreement!! x

I DO understand the problems caused by foxes, Duffy, and I agree wholeheartedly that they need to be culled. What I cannot understand is the "pleasure" that so-called "intelligent" human beings get from chasing a defenceless animal until it is petrified with fear and can't run any further and then encouraging their dogs to rip it to shreds whilst it is still alive. Yes, foxes DO cause havoc, but they are wild animals whilst we, (humans), are supposed to be intelligent and superior. Yes, cull them when needed.....and I can see WHY it is needed.....but for heaven's sake shoot then outright! The "pleasure" these people get from "the chase" is sick. I see the problems you face, Duffy, and, as you may NOT expect, I actually agree with you that there needs to be a cull sometimes, but there is a right way and a wrong way to do it, and "the hunt" is the wrong way. I will never understand how a so-called intelligent human being can actually derive pleasure from this barbaric sport. and call it "a good day". This is not "culling". This is sadistic pleasure.

Hi Irene - your comments are spot on. If and when there is a need for a cull then let it be done in as humane and painless way as possible. The natural actions of foxes etc should not be used as a feeble excuse for the few to commit barbaric acts against any form of wildlife.

I can't help quoting Wilde's famous line , 'The Unspeakable in pursuit of the Uneatable'.

Irene. You are spot on with your comments. Although foxes certainly need culling (they also have a role to play in controlling rabbits and rats)- the most effectively effective and efficient way is by trapping and shooting or by "lamping" and shooting at night. Fox hunts actually maintain coverts where they breed foxes so they can hunt them.

Older readers may remember Jack Hargreaves on the telly (Country Boy etc). In his autobiography he mentions what happened in Hampshire during the First World War. As all the horses and men were at war, the hunts ceased for the duration. The local farmers simply shot the foxes. After the war ended the hunts imported foxes back into the area so that they had something to hunt. It's simply blood lust and showing off. Nothing to be proud of especially "cubbing" and "b!ooding" rituals.

In my opinion there's no way fox hunting or any hunting an animal for sport can be justified. Got to be humane to cull. Agree with Carolaen "blood and lust and showing off". These people may be rich or successful but are lacking something.

Toffs on horseback.