A town councillor's proposal to withdraw a welcome to a local hunt group who stated an interest in reintroducing one of their annual meets in Tenby has been opposed by her fellow members.
Clr. Mrs. Trisha Putwain voiced her concerns over the possible reintroduction of a meet taking place in Tudor Square by the South Pembrokeshire Hunt Group at Tuesday evening's meeting of Tenby Town Council.
"I propose we withdraw our welcome to the hunt to meet in Tenby on several grounds," stated Clr. Mrs. Putwain, who went on to list several factors as to why.
"Fox-hunting is barbaric, and was rightly banned by Act of Parliament four years ago, while hunts throughout the country are continuing to meet, claiming that they are drag-hunting, but that if they put up a fox, they will be unable to prevent hounds from chasing it," she continued.
Back in January, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown first raised the topic at a meeting of the council after being approached by members of the South Pembs. Hunt who wished to bring the event back to Tenby.
At that time, councillors had no objections to the proposal and, following on from the decision, it was decided that the hunt would appear in Tenby on December 6 as part of the town's Winter Carnival festivities.
"On a local level, Mr. Hugh Harrison-Allen (the hunt's joint master) was quoted in the paper back in April as being 'honoured to be asked back to Tenby', which is putting a spin on the facts, as the hunt wrote asking if they could meet, and the old council agreed, which is very different from actively inviting them back," remarked Clr. Mrs. Putwain, who also raised concerns over how the event would be policed.
"I went to the last hunt meeting in Tenby about 17 years ago, with my young daughter, as a peaceful protester, and the atmosphere was quite ugly on the part of the hunt," claimed Clrs. Mrs. Putwain. "It was an intimidating experience and do we really want hounds and horses in the middle of Tenby on a busy day, with young children around, particularly if there is a risk of ugly scenes between hunt people and protesters, with police involvement?
"It is reported that as much as 70 per cent of the population is against hunting, so for every three people who think it is a charming and picturesque scene, there are seven who are repulsed by what the hunt stands for and wants to revert to. Is this the image of Tenby we want to project?" she queried, going on to propose that the welcome be withdrawn.
Her proposal was seconded by Clr. Mrs. Julie Evans, who said: "I think that the hunts are country pursuits, so I don't see the need for them to meet within the town."
The proposal was rebuffed by Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, who said that she was one of the old council who welcomed the meet back to the town when the suggestion was made earlier in the year and that she would stand by that decision.
She was backed by colleague Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas, who added: "I'm quite happy to have the hunt meet back in the town. I think that the notion of the meet has changed now and it's just people riding and not hunting, so I don't think there would be any danger of ugly scenes in the town."
On a vote, the majority were in favour of welcoming the hunt back to the town for a meet.