LIB DEMS CONDEMN COUNTRYSIDE LEISURE (17/07/02)

Somerset County Council’s Cultural Strategy has been released. While it was central Government that instigated these obligatory documents, Somerset County Council could have used this opportunity to promote the diversity of Somerset’s cultural traditions.

There has been uproar throughout the county after it was realised that key aspects of Somerset life have been overlooked.

The document states, ‘there is no single set of cultural values which defines us all, and one important challenge for a document such as this is to reflect diversity of need, aspiration and experience.’

Despite this encouraging tone, the Cultural Strategy fails to mention the three primary country sports in Somerset. Fishing, hunting and shooting are not included.

It goes on to promise to address the fact that ‘some activities or groups are perceived as ‘highbrow’ or exclusive, and new participants do not always feel welcome.’ These stereotypes are often associated with Country sports. By failing to include them in the document, the Liberal Democrats do little to encourage a wider appreciation of Somerset’s traditions.

The film sense and Sensibility and the series Tom Jones, were both filmed in Somerset. They both make reference to hunting and fishing. We have to accept that television is an excellent way of introducing Somerset’s attractions and encouraging the tourism industry.

Conservative Economic Development spokesman, John Edney, said ‘Farming is a substantial part of Somerset’s economy and the farming community is deeply involved in both hunting and shooting. It deserves at the very least a mention in this cultural document. There is wide participation in these sports and they are traditions that run deep in the county. It is very disappointing that country sports have been overlooked in this way.

Conservative spokesman for Community Regeneration and Economic Development, David Huxtable commented, ‘Paddy Macmaster has rejected all calls to acknowledge that Hunting Shooting and Fishing play a large part in Somerset’s Cultural structure. Like most of her colleagues in the Labour Party they never visit the Countryside and continue to try and impose urban solutions on the people. Liberal Democrats do not accept reality and ignore history! Fishing is the most popular participant sport in the Country and to ignore the significant role that Hunting plays in West Somerset is a serious flaw.

’I question the need for such a glossy, expensive brochure. How have we survived for so many years without a cultural strategy?’