Cheers as saltires join the voices of protest

THEY came in their hundreds of thousands, flying flags from all corners of the United Kingdom, but as the makeshift countryside army converged on Hyde Park it was a sea of saltires that drew the loudest cheers.

Yesterday’s Liberty and Livelihood march far surpassed the organisers’ expectations, with 350,000 people reluctantly leaving behind their Sunday countryside tasks to unite with one loud voice of protest on the roads and pavements of central London.

It took the Duke of Buccleuch’s Hunt supporters, who braved a 3am start from the Borders, two hours just to reach the starting gate at Hyde Park as they joined the liberty march.

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But the roar of approval from countryside enthusiasts already gathered from the rest of the UK instantly dispelled any doubts about making the 850-mile round road trip that they would complete in 24 hours.

"We have come to show solidarity with those who can still hunt legally," said Ian Walling, 17, a student from Selkirk who used to ride out with the Duke of Buccleuch’s Hunt.

As the pipers around him struck up Flower of Scotland to set a good marching pace, he said: "That cheer we received from the English and Welsh is why we are here.

"It does not matter which part of the UK you are from - we all object to having our way of life that has gone on for generations threatened, and by a metropolitan government that does not understand rural issues.

"For example, since the hunting ban, 25 foxes have been killed by our hunt - far more than usual and many of those healthy. The legislation is a disaster and only adds to our desire to make our voices heard."

For the English and Welsh hunt supporters, the march represented a final battle cry before they, too, see legislation to ban hunting put before parliament.

Those who attended the march were also at pains to point out that the gathering was not just about hunting but preserving a way of life perceived to be under threat.

"I am here because if they get rid of hunting they will lump together shooting and fishing and target them next," said David Williams-Bulkley, 28, from Anglesey.

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Smartly dressed in cord trousers, check shirt and green jersey, he was one of the many attendees to cut an unlikely figure as a placard-bearing protester.

"There are other issues at stake, like Prescott’s plans to build swathes of houses across green-belt areas. For me, today is about a range of issues, and I hope the politicians listen."

Whistles were blown lustily by old and young alike and hunting horns were largely left at home, as were pink coats, in keeping with the general effort not to inflame passions. Many brought placards and banners, some comparing Tony Blair to Robert Mugabe, others pointing out the historical footnote that hunting was first banned by Hitler and Gbbels.

"Saddam and Blair are two dictators," trumpeted one sign, while another stated ironically: "Ban Golf".

The good-natured atmosphere was maintained throughout, despite the long delays to reach the start. When the two separate arms of the march converged in front of Downing Street, the cacophony of whistling and cheering was such that, even though the Prime Minister was not in attendance, he was unlikely to have missed the din.

For the Duke of Buccleuch contingent, our long day began at 3am in a car park at Haddington. Nine hours later, at midday, we piled into Hyde Park to begin the two-hour walk to the start of the march. By 5pm, the finishing line was finally in sight at St James’s.

As the marchers handed in their registration cards, a Borders hill farmer, Jeremy Thompson, 60, from Yarrow Valley, near Selkirk, weighed the proceedings. "Now is an extremely busy time of year for our farm and today I should be preparing the sheep for market," he said. "All of us here work extremely hard for a living that is not overpaid, so we are reluctant protesters but we have to make our voice heard in some way.

"It has been quite an experience and not a bad day overall, but the real value of the exercise will be determined by the reaction of the politicians."

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As Mr Thompson headed off to join his colleagues and find his coach in readiness for the eight-hour trek back up the A1, his optimism was shared by march organisers.

Allan Murray, the director of the Scottish Countryside Alliance, said the turn-out had exceeded expectations.

"Hunting will return in its traditional way - today’s turnout proves that - and the legislation will be overturned.

"Today, farmers, fishermen, blacksmiths and even hill walkers have joined together in numbers approaching 10,000 to make the journey from Scotland. The government would be extremely unwise not to listen."

Celebrity chef Clarissa Dickson-Wright added: "Today has been an absolutely wonderful event. There has been an incredible turnout, with so many people from all over Britain joining together to make one powerful voice come together for one memorable day."