Hunt Supporters / 'foot' followers

[OFG]

While this could open a can of worms I am going to post this anyway:

I was out on the Mendips on Saturday, off to enjoy the sunny weather with my family. As we were driving down towards Priddy the car in front of us was driving in an erratic manner; 15-20mph speeding up / slowing down, weaving over the road / central white line etc. It soon became apparent as we rounded one corner that the local hunt was out as the road sides were chocca with hunt foot followers and their vehicles.

Traffic had come to a halt on the 2 lane section of road as cars tried to navigate around the parked vehicles on the verges. Erratic driver suddenly pulled over - no indication or anything and seemed perplexed as to why my partner was rather cross.

The point to this post? If you are a foot follower please be aware of other road users and be courteous and abide by the Highway Code. I appreciate that it is only a minority of inconsiderate people that act this way but it is this minority that the general public remember most and doesn't help the hunt cause at all.If you are a hunt foot follower and see other supporters blocking roads / inconsiderate parking etc perhaps raising awareness with them wouldn't go amiss? I am sure no hunt wishes negative publicity in any form and this sort of behaviour is so very easy to avert.

Public perception is a narrow thing - even my OH (of 11 years so should be used to me and the hairy ponies by now) was sprouting words like 'toffs'.

 

[happyhunter123]

I am sorry that you had a bad experience. Careful driving and parking are vital, especially on busy roads. Blocking roads and delaying people is not on. It's not just car/foot followers, people should always park their boxes sensibly too.

 

[Maesfen]

Another who is sorry that you had that problem.

I have been known to let rip at followers and field alike if I see anything that is inconsiderate to other road users as I think it's very unfair of them. Yes, they are out for a nice day out but that person trying to get through could be all manner of things from trying to rush to hospital, pick a child up from school, a vet on an emergency and so on. They would be the first to complain if the boot was on the other foot and they were the one waiting for the vet etc.,

It behoves everyone who hunts in whatever shape or form to remember their manners and be considerate to everyone else, particularly those not hunting themselves.

 

[OFG]

Thank you happyhunter123 and Maesfen; it is nice to know that my beliefs that the majority of the hunting fraternity are considerate people (and why wouldn't they be)

Have to say I was quite excited myself to spot the hounds and one of the hunt members on the far hillside. My 10 year old was with us and he too was keen to see what was happening. I was just a bit dissapointed that the main field was no where in sight as it would have been great to see them all come flying over the crest of the hill.

Hope all those out on Saturday had a great day. Weather was lovely and sunny (if a tad chilly )

 

[JenHunt]

I agree OFG, everyone (field, masters, whips, foot followers and so on) all need to obey the laws of the road, keep it clear, don't gesticulate at people trying to make their way past... everyone will get on better, and be more tolerant!

 

[Doormouse]

I too am sorry to hear this, sadly some car followers are still living in the dark ages when only 1 or 2 cars who were not hunt related came through. Hopefully with a bit of determined organisation from hunt officials this problem is improving.
You would be perfectly within your rights (and I think you should) to contact the Mendip hunt secretary and let them know. If nobody tells the officials it is very hard for them to deal with the problems. It is not complaining, just giving facts to help people to iron out problems.

 

[soggy]

As a long standing foot/truck follower I find that it is often the occasional followers that cause the most chaos. As they often don't have the best knowledge of the country.
The other cause is those non following road users who seem to think the loss of a minutes in their journey time is a major disgruntlement.

The application of common sense and tolerance in equal measures go a long way to ensuring everyone gets along.

 

[JenHunt]

personally I feel that hunts should be encouraging followers to gather up and cram as many into each vehicle (as is legal!) and therefore save each other's fuel, reduce congestion and improve the public's perception of hunting!

 

[alton]

Nice post. I like it. Thanks for sharing these information. Keep it up.