First, its incredibly good fun!

You cannot believe how much you will laugh watching a dog chase a sock through Hyde Park straight through the middle of picnics, being watched by gaping tourists from around the world. We have regulars that come back every meet and newcomers are amazed by how much they enjoy it. Our followers regularly number 30+ and we sometimes get up to a hundred. People bring their own dogs, their children and pushchairs and careen across the lawns whooping with delight.

But there is a second reason. Although at the absurd end of the pro-hunt movement, we do serve a purpose:

• To some extent, we keep the issue of hunting in the public eye. We regularly have journalists from the BBC, national and local newspapers reporting on our fun and games. The contents of Hyde Park certainly remember hunting when we’re out. And, of course, our annual ball in Banqueting House is the social event of the year!
  
• It’s been a great way to allow London supporters of hunting to meet those from the country and have a good time in the summer. Many of our supporters have never been hunting, but just believe that the state should stop interfering with people’s lives. The CSSH has given them a way of expressing their support without getting their feet dirty!
  
• We raise funds for countryside causes. The Legal Challenge Appeal (jointly administered by The Countryside Alliance and The Council of Hunting Associations) and the Hunt Servants’ Fund (registered charity no. 229974).