Another new reason to join the Angling Trust

davestocker · Nov 12, 2009

At the risk of getting everyone going again, but only really to inform you of what our politicians are up to, read this

10% of MPs want to ban game shooting and rearing | Shooting and field sports news, politics and legal | Shooting UK | Shooting UK

Couldn't happen to fishing, of course, could it?! Rearing fish for angling bears absolutely no comparison to rearing pheasants for shooting, does it?

Just ask yourselves how many things that many of us grew up with and thought utterly acceptable and 'normal' have changed within our lifetimes. Smoking, once accepted as elegant and even good for you is demonised, homosexuality once a crime is now legal, drink-driving equates to potential murder, divorce was a badge of shame, now it's just s**t that happens. Look at old photos of crowd scenes - everyone used to wear hats, while few do now. More examples of how the world can turn 180 degrees in a lifetime are welcome, but the fact that change can happen quiickly should never be ignored.

Poshpaul (Angling Trust and PaSC) · Nov 12, 2009

I'm no great fan of the huge mass shoots, don't mind rough shooting BUT

Having lived in/around a shooting estate and area in Shropshire for 5 years... without that need to supply the shoot we wouldn't have

1. The numbers of pheasants and partridge
2. The fields growing feed for these birds... which also provide shelter for the birds, and the rats, mice etc which ensure a great supply of food for Tawney and Barn Owls, Buzzards etc.
3. The decoy ponds for wildfowl which are also often lovely little angling waters
4 The woodlands and hedgerows essential for the shelter of game birds and loads and loads of other species of flora and fauna.

Add to that the essential role of gameshoots in maintaining the moorlands of Britain in such a way that the habitats are ideal for grouse, ptarmigan, capercaillie.

(The only surprise is the evidence that it is only 10% of MP haven't got the brains they were born with!!! )

davestocker · Nov 12, 2009

You're so right Paul, but to these guys all those benefits are trumped by moral 'first principles' - something like 'thou shalt not enjoy activities involving killing' or 'thou shalt always show compassion'. Or perhaps more accurately 'thou shalt not enjoy the pleasures enjoyed by the aristocratic classes'.

dezza · Nov 12, 2009

Poshpaul (Angling Trust and PaSC) said:
I'm no great fan of the huge mass shoots, don't mind rough shooting BUT

Having lived in/around a shooting estate and area in Shropshire for 5 years... without that need to supply the shoot we wouldn't have

1. The numbers of pheasants and partridge
2. The fields growing feed for these birds... which also provide shelter for the birds, and the rats, mice etc which ensure a great supply of food for Tawney and Barn Owls, Buzzards etc.
3. The decoy ponds for wildfowl which are also often lovely little angling waters
4 The woodlands and hedgerows essential for the shelter of game birds and loads and loads of other species of flora and fauna.

Add to that the essential role of gameshoots in maintaining the moorlands of Britain in such a way that the habitats are ideal for grouse, ptarmigan, capercaillie.

(The only surprise is the evidence that it is only 10% of MP haven't got the brains they were born with!!! )

And shooters are responsible for the maintainance of many aspects of our countryside because they have a VESTED INTEREST in keeping it so.

It's the same on other parts of the world where controlled hunting has prevented the extermination of many species. To most townies, as most of you reading this thread are, this might not make sense.

And as regards that 10% who want to have shooting banned, I'm willing to bet that the bigger majority of these people are Labourites.

Peter Jacobs · Nov 12, 2009

There are a few positives; firstly, as an Early Day Member's Bill it is hardly likely to see the light of day, and secondly that quite a few of the so called "10%" are just sabre-rattling as the chances are that they won't be in the HoC for the next term.

On the downside however, this is exacty how the Fox Hunting Bill began its ill-informed and ill conceived life.

The MP himself, David Taylor, is not standing at the next election either; having chosen to return to his former job(s) of being an accountant and running the local council.

The Countryside Alliance have already made comment on this topic, but I fail to see where, or how, the Angling Trust could/should or might become involved (?)

davestocker · Nov 12, 2009

No suggestion that the Trust should get involved, Peter. The post was to make the simple point that the inclination of Labour to ban hasn't stopped with the Hunting Acts, and that unity and organisation are our best safeguards.

The Alliance chair, the Labour MP Kate Hoey, did once say that there were folk in Parliament who would like to have a pop at angling. Dunno who she had in mind (not Salter, obviously), but I remember being shocked to hear it. FYI the Christian Socialist movement are the people to keep an eye on. I think Andrew Linzey the animal rights theologian at Oxford University, is of their number, as was Alun Michael who was so instrumental in driving the Hunting Act.

Peter Jacobs · Nov 12, 2009

The mistake was mine in understanding, sorry.

I thoroughly agree with you regarding Linzey, personally I see this theologian Christian vegetarian as one of angling's most difficult opponents. A close second would be George Carey, the past Archbishop of Canterbury.

I would not want to re-open the issue of whether or not Angling should become at least 'aligned' with other field sports, but when you read of people like David Taylor MP or Linzey, it certainly does beg the question.

Poshpaul (Angling Trust and PaSC) · Nov 12, 2009

davestocker said:
'thou shalt not enjoy the pleasures enjoyed by the aristocratic classes'.

My rural rides both in Shropshire, and being brought up in rural Kent, has shown me that many/most hunters and shooters are now predominantly townies....with generally an arrogant disregard for those who actually live in the countryside. (You try getting home down the single track road to the house when the shoots on or packing up.....I actually had one bloke suggest I learned to know my place as they poured the money into our rural economy. What shut him up was my saying hello to the Lady of the Manor, who happened to be Chair of Governors at my school and on first name terms with me! Never seen a 4x4 moved so fast and with such poor grace!)

Bluenose · Nov 12, 2009

Ron The Hat Clay said:
........And as regards that 10% who want to have shooting banned, I'm willing to bet that the bigger majority of these people are Labourites.

Seeing as how Labour actually have a massive majority that's hardly a surprise Ron!

Jeff Woodhouse · Nov 12, 2009

davestocker said:
Or perhaps more accurately 'thou shalt not enjoy the pleasures enjoyed by the aristocratic classes'.

Whatever it may be, the current policy of this Government appears to be - "thou shalt not enjoy", full stop!

Another new reason to join the Angling Trust

davestocker

Well-known member

Poshpaul (Angling Trust and PaSC)

Moderator

davestocker

Well-known member

dezza

Well-known member

Peter Jacobs

Moderator

davestocker

Well-known member

Peter Jacobs

Moderator

Poshpaul (Angling Trust and PaSC)

Moderator

Bluenose

Moderator

Jeff Woodhouse

Moaning Marlow Meldrew