SOME Chepstow residents plan to ‘boycott’ this year’s Chepstow Show by not attending over disagreements surrounding the ethics of fox hunting. Traditionally, two hunts are invited to attend the Chepstow Show each year: The Wollaston Bassets and the Curre and Llangibby Foxhounds Hunt. Jeff Baldwin, 42, has lived in Chepstow for over five years and is one of those who will not be attending this year’s show due to how uncomfortable it makes him feel, despite attending in 2022.
He said: “There is a place for old fashioned, traditional things but as soon as it involves people with dogs slaughtering wildlife then you have got to start asking – how long do we want this tradition to go on? “The problem is when you see people making a game out of fox hunting, or killing them for fun. That really bothers me, and I’m sure it’s the same for a lot of people. “It’s up to the organisers of the Chepstow Show, if they want to keep inviting them, they have got to understand that increasingly, as time goes on, there will be more and more people who will not want to go to the show because the hunt is on.
” Marcus Hobbs, 64, said: "Fox hunting of any kind is abhorrent to me. I will not be attending the show because of this. The show organisers have made a massive mistake and failed to realise how many locals are against the Hunt being a part of the show.
" Chandra Taylor added: "Everybody has a right to stand up for what they believe in, which includes voting with their feet.