Hunting

I noticed in this morning's DT that the National Trust is having trouble with both the anti-hunting and pro-hunting lobbies. I think the trigger has been their decision to publish what amount to advertisements for hunts on their website. This makes the pro-hunting people cross because they think that is opening the door to the sort of anti-hunting people who disrupt hunts. Never mind that the hunts in question do not involve foxes. Or that there is a plague of urban foxes. Or that foxes are not particularly cuddly when it comes to killing their own prey.

I think it a pity that the National Trust can't stay out of this sort of thing, although as a big landowner that may be difficult. It is bad enough that their mission is creeping into the world of visitor attractions without them getting into veggie politics and worse.

I then thought that as a vaguely democratic but probably reasonably sleepy organisation, they are wide open to attack by bands of paid up, single issue activists. They pay their dues, swamp some usually yawn-loaded county or regional meeting and get all kinds of tiresome resolutions passed - which HQ then has to do something about.

Just like the Corbyn crew have hijacked the Labour Party.

It will be an even bigger pity if all the people like us who buy into National Trust for heritage - built, garden and natural varieties - but who don't want to have to bother with meetings, have to start bothering with them.

PS: I noticed the other day that Greenpeace has been admonished for its unruly behaviour at sea. The sea going equivalent of what the hunt saboteurs get up to on land. About time too. Not that I have got much time for all those whale meat eaters in Japan either. Not to mention the Aleutian Inuit (aka eskimos).