Hunting is an issue that divides the country - and our patch - irreparably.
Warwickshire has a very strong tradition of hunting and the Warwickshire Hunt is still one of the most active packs in the country.
| |  | A huntsman on his horse
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The county is also home to the powerful and passionate Warwickshire League Against Cruel Sports Group.
The ban on hunting with dogs has been debated feverishly in the past couple of years and the Government came close to a ban at the start of December 2002.
Prompted by the huge hunts on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, we have complied some information about the Warwickshire Hunt and the Warwickshire League Against Cruel Sports Group.
We want you to join the debate. Do you support this tradition or are you against the sport?
Email you views to us by using the link on the left and see other people's opinions by following the hunting debate link.
The Warwickshire Hunt is one of the very few packs that still actively hunts four days a week. The hunt's kennels are situated in the village of Little Kineton, in south Warwickshire. The kennels house the hunt horses and 50 couples of hounds.
Hunt history
| |  | A distant view of the hunt
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The Warwickshire Hunt's history can be traced back to its formation in 1791.
The kennels at Little Kineton were built on the existing site in 1839.
Between World War One and World War Two, the Warwickshire Hunt was one of the country's most prominent packs.
From 1853 - 1985, the north part of the county was hunted by the North Warwickshire Hunt. This hunt was disbanded in 1985 and some of their area was returned to the Warwickshire Hunt and some was dispersed between the Worcestershire and the Croome and West Warwickshire Hunts.
Boxing Day and New Year hunts
The hunting season starts on Boxing Day, which is the biggest day in the hunting calendar. In 2002, the Warwickshire Hunt met at Upton House, near Stratford, to continue this tradition.
The New Year hunt also has a long tradition in Warwickshire. In 2003, the hunt met on Wednesday, 1 January, at Hill Farm in Swalcliffe.
This first meeting of the year is closely followed by other meetings through the week. Follow the link to their website, on the left, for more details.
Invitation to join
Visitors are invited to experience the Warwickshire hunt, whatever their age and knowledge of hunting. Interested people are asked to email the hunt secretary, with the email link on the left.
The hunt has a scheme to support and inform newcomers, with special rates and personal attention.
Warwickshire League Against Cruel Sports
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The Warwickshire League Against Cruel Sports Group campaigns against all forms of sports involving animals.
They concentrate on fox hunting and hare coursing in the Coventry and Warwickshire areas but also investigate deer and mink hunting.
Group history
| |  | An injured fox receiving treatment
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The League Against Cruel Sports began life in 1924 as the League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports in London.
It has since campaigned across the country for changes in law, conserving rare species and offering advice to landowners.
Action through Christmas and the New Year
The Warwickshire League Against Cruel Sports Group raises public awareness with anti-hunting demonstrations and leafleting all over our area.
Through Christmas and the New Year, the group is continuing to monitor the Warwickshire Hunt and the other local and bordering hunts.
In 2002, the group amassed signatures through petition stalls throughout Coventry and Warwickshire for local MPs and Tony Blair. As the Government debates continue, so will their petitioning and door-to-door leaflet distribution
The group are also available for school and college talks and are happy to work with other animal welfare groups.
Invitation to join
The Warwickshire League Against Cruel Sports Group welcomes new members. Email for more information, to join or to make a donation, by clicking on the link on the left.
The group also urges people to write to Tony Blair to appeal for a ban on hunting with dogs. Their website, linked on the left, has tips for writing appeals.
We want to know what you think about hunting in Warwickshire.
Send us your views with the email link on the left and read other people's views by following the hunting debate link.
Is hunting cruel and should there be a ban on hunting with dogs? Is hunting an important part of Warwickshire's tradition and economy?
What do you think?
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