Sir, After reading Meyrick Brown's tribute to Simon Hart (Tenby Observer, November 11), I feel I must redress the balance. The so-called Countryside Alliance was formed by the hunting community under the guise of protecting rural life when their real interest has always been killing animals such as stag, deer, fox and mink just for fun. The article quotes the Countryside Alliance as 'acting highly responsibly in the way the countryside is represented' whereas in truth who can forget the ugly scenes inside the House of Commons when several of their members invaded the chamber, the violent clashes with police outside Parliament and such stunts as leaving dead horses in the middle of the street. Simon Hart was himself caught out when he announced that his organisation would be ridiculed on the publication of a letter sent by the Master of Fox Hounds Association to 800 hunt masters warning of the nationwide 'shortage of foxes' and urging landowners to breed more foxes to 'solve the problem'. This showed further evidence that hunting is not connected with pest control, but purely for the pleasure of the kill. He also quotes the old chestnut of political prejudice, whereas it has been shown time and time again that the majority of the British public, county and town dwellers, are against hunting. This is why it was banned by a huge majority of MPs. I would urge anyone who witnesses any hunt breaking the law to contact the police immediately and also to inform the League against Cruel Sports.
Kelvin Thomas, Stepaside.