Wildlife trust’s ex-huntsman boss
Senior reporter Senior reporter If Michael Bax, the chairman of Kent Wildlife Trust, claims not to have had any association with the Blean Beagles since 2005, how come the current Baily’s Hunting Directory (the hunting fraternity’s Bible) still lists him as one of the seven joint masters, having assumed the role in 1991?
Prior to that he was listed as its huntsman as far back as 1971 when it would have been his direct responsibility to hunt and kill brown hares for what he and his cronies considered to be sport.
Although the sport was supposedly outlawed by the Hunting Act 2004 its numerous loopholes still give free rein to the all too frequent “accidental” killing of hares under the guise of so-called trail hunting and the ridiculous concept of rabbit hunting.
A year before the act was enacted several thousand hunt supporters met in a field in Tonbridge to sign a declaration to disobey it.
The fact the trustees appointed a chairman with such a history of wild animal killing and actually refer to “field sports” rather than “blood sports” surely proves that the Kent Wildlife Trust can’t be trusted with the safe keeping of Kent’s wildlife. Dave Wetton, Castle View, Hadlow.
In our article, the charity released a statement saying Mr Bax had still Senior reporter Senior reporter been referred to as joint master in some hunting directories until at least 2014, the year he took on his role at the Kent Wildlife Trust. Senior reporter Reporter concerned local resident of long standing, active member of the Lib Dems who has presented two petitions to Maidstone council (in 2008 calling for skyline protection of the Medway Valley and in 2015 calling specifically for protection of Fant Farm) and former ward councillor, I attended the inquiry for all but one day. Fran Smith, Pitt Road, Maidstone
As County councillors for Maidstone Central, we share the pleasure and relief of Fant residents
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