Declaration Day at Melton Airfield, Leicestershire, 1st November 2003

A rally by pro hunting people from across the East Midlands met at Melton airfield. This protest movement was started by the philospher Roger Scruton.  The aim of the rally was to produce a signed document of “30,000 named individuals prepared to risk fines and imprisonment to defend their liberties in the event of a ban”.  Similar regional events were organised across England and Wales.

In the fore ground of the photograph a protest banner in the shape of a coffin reads:

“NEW LABOUR DEATH OF THE COUNTRYSIDE VOTE FOR BLAIR…DESTROY THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF LIFE AND WIPE OUT FREEDOM OF CHOICE FOR COUNTRY FOLK”