Grafton Farmers' meet highlights hunting's vital social network

The Grafton Hunt's much-loved Farmers' Meet took place at the home of popular local farmer Andy Deverall and his wife Emma, on Thursday, 9^th February.

The event's 'USP' is the number of farmers who gamely and willingly sign up to ride for the day – albeit a short day – largely on horses provided by Grafton subscribers and other farmers, as well as some hired horses and a good number who keep horses in livery and are dedicated followers. Over 60 farmers attended the meet, with 25 farmers mounted and a further 25 landowners and key hunt supporters also riding.

Following an enthusiastic days' trail hunting, farmers (mounted and on foot) were treated to drinks and dinner at the very popular Crown at Weston. The pub boasts photographs of farming and hunting families going back generations and regularly hosts social events for the hunt and young farmers clubs.

Of the eight joint-masters of the Grafton Hunt, most are farmers and a large number of subscribers and supporters are local farmers too.

Joint master and farmer, Julian Foote, is adamant the hunt supporters club and social calendar is key to the rural infrastructure: "Farming and the hunt social community are intrinsically linked, you can't split one from the other. That network is what makes the Grafton hunt tick."

Julian sites their young, fun, dedicated hunt supporters club as being key to the social network as well as their relationship with the local Young Farmers' Club. When asked about how farmers view the community network with hunting, Julian is direct and passionate in his response: "Farming is a hugely lonely and pressurised work environment, though very rewarding too. The social glue that is hunting, is vital and a welcome release."

Eleasha Sallis, campaigns assistant for the Countryside Alliance's Campaign for Hunting, feels it is important to highlight this important community network: "The essential bond between hunts, farmers and rural communities has strengthened, not weakened over the years and we must all do everything we can to protect our rural way of life, our friendships and support each other. The Grafton have clearly excelled in recognising farmers' key role and building those strong relationships. We know hunts up and down the country continue to do the same too."

Image credit: David Bunn Photography