Over 4000 plan to march in London (From Gazette & Herald)

Over 4000 plan to march in London

MORE than 4,000 people from the Ryedale area are expected to go to London to support next month's Countryside March.

Over the last week, banners promoting the Countryside Alliance's 'fight for freedom and civil liberty' have been going up throughout Ryedale.

Bearing the slogans 'Never underestimate a minority' and 'Do our politicians think foxes are more important than people? Time for Parliament to get real', they are appearing along roads and railways all over the country.

With only a month to go before the Countryside Alliance's Livelihood and Liberty March on Sunday, March 18, the CA is using the banners to draw attention to issues in the rural areas.

"What we are marching for, and what the posters are for, is to defend the rights of rural people to live our lives responsibly in the way we choose," said Andrew Osborne, county campaigner for the CA and one of the Sinnington Hunt's three masters.

He said the march was to protect rural people from urban prejudice. "It includes prejudice against rural sports, rural transport, rural communities and facilities," he said.

"It's not just about hunting, it's about an urban Government who has prejudice against rural areas."

The CA already has bookings for 38 coaches from the Ryedale area as well as having chartered two trains from York. Mr Osborne said that headquarters in London were anticipating up to 4000 coaches entering the capital on March 18 which is double the number in the 1998 march.

Gilda Brader of Thixendale, who is organising the Middleton Hunt's deputation, said: "It's not just the people who are for hunting that are going on the march. All sorts of people in Ryedale are joining in."

Castle Howard is sending a coach, and so are the Sledmere and Wintringham estates. Mick Easterby has put on a bus and in Hovingham William Worsley is getting farmers and villagers together.

William Worsley said: "Farming and forestry are very difficult at the moment and it's a struggle to keep these businesses open."

He added: "As soon as there is a loss of jobs in Luton the Government gives millions and does absolutely nothing for the rural industries. In my view, this march is all about freedom. We are meant to live in a caring democracy where minorities are not persecuted."

Landowner Major Johnnie Shaw, who lives at Welburn Manor Farms, thinks the Government has got itself into a muddle over rural issues.

"The reason we are all going to London is because it's an issue of freedom, free choice. We are not doing any harm to anyone," he said.

Talking about the most emotive issue, hunting foxes, Major Shaw said that the Burns Enquiry which reported on foxhunting was broadly neutral.

"In fact it recognises quite a lot of the good it does," said Major Shaw.

"Why are we worrying about this (hunting with dogs) when hospitals and schools haven't got any better. It's quite important that the message of the Countryside Alliance gets over."

Adam Waugh, master and the huntsman for the Sinnington Hunt, said he felt the Government's priorities were wrong.

"A lot of people think because there has been a vote (on hunting with dogs) that is the end of it. We are putting the banners up to highlight the fact we are still here and are going to fight for our civil liberty of being able to go hunting.

"If we stop fox hunting tomorrow there is no let off for the foxes, they will be controlled in other ways."

If you would like to go on the march, you can contact Andrew Osborne on (01751) 432855. People who would like to go but cannot, through infirmity or because they have livestock to feed, can apply for exemption forms. People returning these forms will be entered in a rural roll of honour. In addition they will receive certificates of exemption and registration badges.

Updated: 16:23 Thursday, February 15, 2001