'Better to hunt than use drugs' (From Gazette Series)

'Better to hunt than use drugs'

A WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE student took the day off college on Tuesday to join the pro-hunting protest in Brighton.

Amy Bell, 19, who attends Hartpury College, Gloucester, was joined by Polly Whittaker, 15, from Thornbury.

They were adding their voices to those of thousands of people from the Countryside Alliance and other organisations, lobbying the Labour Party conference to reverse its decision to ban hunting with dogs.

Polly's mother, Jill said: "We have always been open with the school about supporting hunting, and Polly attended the Parliament Square protest as well. She has had discussions with her headteacher.

"Her 11 year old brother George wasn't allowed to miss school, but he managed to convert 75 per cent of his schoolmates to the cause, in a debate at QEH School in Bristol."

Mrs Whittaker, who is also involved in hunting, said: "Polly has been passionate about hunting since she was eight years old. She loves the countryside and the thrill of riding. More young people should try it, it's a better adrenaline rush than drugs!

"If the young don't continue to hunt, it will become extinct."

The Master of the Berkeley Hunt, Henry Berkeley, said: "I am a hundred per cent behind the rights of these young people. We sent about 200 of our people down to Brighton. Considering the weather, the ones who went in the sea showed great guts."

Amy's father is employed by the Berkeley Hunt.