Campaigners target Forthampton in badger cull protest
CAMPAIGNERS aiming to stop badgers being shot as part of a major cull have descended on Forthampton.
Around 80 protesters made their way to Forthampton Estate, near Tewkesbury, to look for evidence of shooting.
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Badgers
Police officers filled the streets on Sunday to help keep the peace while a police helicopter was also sent in.
Residents said the day had passed without incident with many saying the protestors were not focusing their efforts on any of the residents.
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Natural England issued the first licence authorising the cull last month, although it is believed a cull of badgers has not yet begun.
Forthampton Estate,covers 3,000 acres – around three per cent of the cull zone.
It is understood the estate's owners are in favour of the cull.
Protestors took to the estate's many footpaths to survey for badger setts, as well as looking for evidence of any shooting.
Concerned estate staff kept a close eye on the campaigners, to keep them away from the game bird breeding facilities and release pens.
The estate also had private security guarding key buildings, protestors claimed.
Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs' Association, said: "This was an exercise in showing the cost of being involved in the cull.
"No one broke the law or went anywhere they weren't allowed, yet Forthampton Estate felt the need to bring all their staff in on a Sunday and even employ extra security while the police were out in force to watch people strolling around the countryside.
"With so many footpaths, Forthampton Estate and many other landowners in the cull zones will find it difficult to stop legal opposition to the unscientific, immoral badger cull."
Fred Remmer, who lives near to the estate, said the area had been remained relatively quiet despite the arrival of the protesters.
"We didn't see a lot of campaigners around here, although the police were all out in the streets," he added.
"There are some people who are a little concerned by it but in the main, most of us are just taking it as it comes.
"The protestors didn't cause any damage."
Steve Maycock, manager at the Lower Lode Inn, said more people were concerned about the lack of information being made available about the cull.
"Many people are not happy as they do not know who is shooting and when," he said.
"If we had more information, then people would feel a lot better about it.
"Everyone coming into the pub is of the same mind – we don't know how they are going to shoot dead a badger with one shot in the pitch black."
Comments
by SammyHall2000
Monday, November 26 2012, 12:58PM
“I live in forthampton and less then 80 protesters arrived and they didn't prove anything allthey did was sit on the floor nd look for dead badgers but found none.SOOOO It was a waste of their time”
by Witchinana
Thursday, October 18 2012, 10:55PM
“Lady Rose, post less, be read more.”
by 2ladybugs
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 5:15PM
“geraint2010 Going, going, gone...........”
by geraint2010
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 5:05PM
“Got that right 2Ladybugs, but do come back again another day though – I rather enjoy the banter!”
by 2ladybugs
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 4:54PM
“Not necessarily disparaging remarks against DEFRA and Countryside Alliance (I never mentioned the NFU as it happens) and the only time I have corresponded with the other two was when the villagers wanted a bit of help with stopping a planning permission going ahead. :)))
Oh and I don't do losing my cool, not under any circumstances. I don't usually cut and paste as it happens. Just a bit short of time at present. It is a bit busy with the cull going ahead don't you find?? I will definitely say good day to you now as the outside awaits me. Coo I bet you'll be glad of a rest from me. Ha!ha!ha! xxx”
by geraint2010
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 4:40PM
“Yeeeeeeeeeees eyeopener, curious lady our 2ladybugs isn't she? Adept at 'copy and pasting' other folk's rhetoric but has difficulty keeping her cool when stringing a few words of her own together! And her disparaging remarks about Defra, NFU and the Countryside Alliance makes me suspect she has alienated even those organisations that support the cull. Perhaps they feel such "support" counterproductive!”
by 2ladybugs
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 3:54PM
“Ha!ha!ha! hilarious..... eyeopener. I can always rely on you for a good laugh. Thank you for that.”
by eyeopener
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 3:39PM
“@geraint2010 Apart from denying that she works for Defra, NFU or the Countryside Alliance she stated lower down in the comments section "I am free to comment as is anybody else. Oh and that goes for any news media, anywhere across the country."
This is from someone who states that they work for various departments monitoring the media and advising.
Doesn't that bring to mind a picture of your average TIG reader, who in between commenting on the 'Thisis" website for Somerset as well as Gloucestershire, is also busy contributing to newsmedia across the country. She couldn't possibly work for a vested interest could she?”
by 2ladybugs
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 2:35PM
“Look Geraint, if you think I can be a***d to type every comment when somebody else has done the job for me. You too can do the same if you so wish. Countryside Alliance, who me !!!!!!?????? . Nope, they were just as unhelpful as DEFRA. :(((”
by geraint2010
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 2:15PM
“" ……………… You are right in the fact that I am working for somebody." 2Ladybugs.
My guess is The Countryside Alliance 2Ladybugs - am I right?
By the way re: your reply to my last post or, as you put it, "meaningless comment". Of course you are free to comment and original and constructive opinions are always welcome in my book - even when they conflict with my own. Indeed I defer to Voltaire in that regard! Still doesn't excuse all that "copying and pasting" though!”