The Joint Masters cordially invite you to join them at the second meet of The Connaught Square Squirrel Hunt on Sunday 5th June at 3.00pm at the Duke of Kendal, Connaught Street, London W2.

We look forward to an afternoon of sunshine, good company and absurd hunting for the second time this year. On 3rd April, our inaugural meet attracted a field of over 100 and positive press attention from no less than: the BBC, the Mail, the Mirror, the Field, Horse & Hound and Shooting Times. We hope to increase numbers considerably on this occasion and continue what is becoming the fine tradition of drag squirrel hunting.

Drag squirrel hunting

For those unaware of the purpose and practice of drag squirrel hunting, we invite you to peruse our website. In brief, the Hunting Act 2004 has prevented the Joint Masters from encouraging Dillon/Dylan, the Squirrel Hound, to enjoy his traditional pass-time of chasing squirrels up trees while on a walk in Hyde Park. Yes, you did read it correctly: it is illegal to encourage even 1 dog to chase a squirrel; possibly illegal even to enjoy a dog chasing a squirrel. Should a policeman suspect you of planning to do so, he may arrest you and/or search your house without warrant and the dog may be put down. In contrast, he would need a warrant to search your house if he thought you may be a burglar. We have taken Counsel's opinion on the law.

The public deserve to know that their habits are illegal. Also, Dillon/Dylon needs his exercise and excitement without the threat of judicial execution. As a result, the Joint Masters established a drag squirrel hunt on April 3rd. Following extensive scientific experimentation, we chose a bone in an old sports sock as the perfect drag squirrel. It is led by a length of fishing line attached to an energetic soul travelling at speed and followed by, in order: Dillon/Dylan; the Huntsman; the Joint Masters; and the field. The intention was to ridicule the law by matching its absurdity: we believe that we succeeded. Photos can be found on this website.

What will happen on 5 June?

On 5th June, we shall follow our successful agenda of the inaugural meet with minor variations:

3.00 pm - Meet at the Duke of Kendal pub, Kendal Street, London W2. Sausage-rolls and Drag-hunting Port will be provided by Sean, the kindly publican.

3.30 pm - Move off, led by our Honourary Huntsman, Felix the Fox. Felix is the symbol of Rural Defiance and has kindly made time to direct the Squirrel Hound for the second time. We are particularly grateful as Felix has a busy schedule - see www.fighttheban.com - that has recently included being arrested outside Bow Street Mags while supporting the Westminster Eight.

As all good hunts, we intend to cover different ground each day's hunting. Although our route will pass by our dear Prime Minister's retirement property at No. 29 Connaught Square (we look forward to welcoming him there at the very first opportunity), we shall be drawing certain specific covers in Hyde Park. These covers will be rich in drag squirrels, being led by attractive, inadequately-dressed young ladies (or gents, these days). Could volunteers make themselves known to the Joint Masters; it will significantly increase our press coverage.

There will be an opportunity for a strictly limited number of visiting Squirrel Hound packs to follow the scent of the drag squirrel. Each pack will consist of 1 (one) Squirrel Hound; any huntsman wishing to avail themselves of this opportunity should make him/herself known to the Joint Masters at the meet. Otherwise, all visiting packs should be on leads to avoid one almighty dog-fight.

5.00 pm - Mass Volley Ball. Teams to be decided: JOINT MASTER vs. JOINT MASTER. Or return to pub.

To help with numbers, PLEASE E-MAIL connaughtsquaresquirrelhunt@yahoo.co.uk WITH YES (and the number coming). OR JUST TURN UP.
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Yours,
Ed Seyfried
Duncan Macpherson
Joint Masters