No concert cash for hunt (From Gazette Series)

No concert cash for hunt

Berkeley Castle estate office has dismissed claims that profits from concerts held in the grounds will be used to fund the pro-hunting campaign.

Music lovers were last week urged to boycott a series of summer concerts at the Norman castle by an anti-hunt supporter who believes proceeds from the events might be used to fund the pro-hunting lobby.

High-profile performers, including G4, Aled Jones, Rolf Harris, former Hear'Say singer Myleene Klass and the Hayseed Dixie's, will be performing at the castle throughout the summer.

In a letter to the Stroud News & Journal, Julian Brown, of Nailsworth, said he wanted to buy tickets for the Hayseed Dixie concert but his stance against hunting prevented him from doing so.

"I have, since teenage, been vehemently opposed to any sort of cruelty to animals, including blood sports. My fear is much of the money raised by these concerts will go towards promoting the legalisation of hunting with hounds," he said, adding, "I do not wish to subsidise these activities in any way."

Andrew Jardine, agent for the Berkeley Estate, said the concerts had been organised and promoted by Atmosphere Festival Ltd.

Mr Jardine said: "This entity has no connections with Berkeley Castle and is an apolitical, not-for-profit company.

"Additionally, Berkeley Castle has no involvement in events such as these held on the meadow. The land is owned by a totally separate entity, which shares a fixed-facility fee with the farming tenant.

"Any surplus raised by Atmosphere Festival Ltd from the performances will be invested in future events. I can guarantee that none of the proceeds of the concerts will be directed towards the Berkeley Hunt or to the Countryside Alliance."

He added that Mr Brown's concerns were presumably now academic, following the passing of the Hunting Act 2004 and that the only effect of his letter would be to potentially reduce attendance at the concerts for no valid reason.