January 15, 2013

The Countryside Alliance believes that there would be sufficient votes in Commons to overturn the hunting ban, but for the votes of the Scottish Labour MPs. The government is being urged to reform the system which gives Scottish MPs veto rights on legislation that has no impact in Scotland. Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance said, “[T]here are a lot of people in the Westcountry who simply cannot understand why the Hunting Act cannot be repealed when a majority of English and Welsh MPs support getting rid of it. “MPs from the Westcountry have no say on hunting laws in Scotland, so why should Scottish MPs hold a veto over repealing the pointless and wasteful Hunting Act in England and Wales? “The continuing interference of Scottish Labour MPs also underlines the fact that the Hunting Act has nothing to do with animal welfare or wildlife management, but is a prejudiced, political attack on the hunting community.” The Countryside Alliance predicts that a vote in Commons to overturn the ban would prevail by thirty to forty votes if taken only by English and Welsh MPs. Click for more details in This Is Cornwall. Posted January 15, 2013

Vannah Grisham Husband, MFH of the Mells Foxhounds, passed away on Friday, January 4, 2013 at the Huntsville Hospital in Alabama. Vannah grew up riding horses and had a life-long love of animals. She started her foxhunting career with the Mooreland Hunt (AL) at age eight and received her colors in 1972. Through the early 1990s she served as chairman of the Mooreland Hunt Ball. She became MFH of the Mells Foxhounds in 1995. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Stetson University—where she met her husband-to-be, Floyd Douglas Husband—she taught elementary school children from 1984 to 1987. She was exceptionally artistic, and was a professional Lettering and Book Artist whose work was displayed in art shows around the Southeast. She was a member of the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting and Lettering, and the President of the Board of the Nashville Calligraphy Guild. She was also an original member and Docent at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, where she volunteered with their Education Program. Contributions may be made in her memory to Mells Foxhounds; c/o Joy Smith, MFH; 900 U.S. Highway 64; Frankewing, TN 38459. Click for a complete obituary. Posted January 15, 2013