TAKE ACTION: Tell the RHS to disassociate itself from fox hunting
The Chelsea Flower Show, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), has come to an end for another year. The show's four-year headline sponsor, luxury hotel business The Newt in Somerset, allows fox hunting meets on its land. You can take action by telling the RHS to cut its ties with the company, which is set to sponsor the flower show again in 2025.
Protect the Wild was joined by our supporters at the flower show throughout last week, informing the public about The Newt's links with the violent and criminal Blackmore and Sparkford Vale (BSV) Hunt. Most of the show's attendees were shocked to learn that the luxury hotel, which has crafted a wholesome image of itself, would support such a barbaric bloodsport.
The Newt claims to have a deep respect for the land and all creatures on it but the hotel has continually allowed the hunt to meet on its land - and despite telling Protect the Wild that no hunting meets are scheduled in the future, it has remained resolutely silent when we have asked it to confirm an indefinite ban. As well as hosting the hunt, as we have revealed The Newt's estate manager also has a number of ties with the BSV.
The BSV is one of the country's most notorious hunts. It made national news headlines back in January when Channel 4 News broadcast drone footage of its hounds tearing up a fox. A study by Protect the Wild of the 2022/23 hunting season revealed that nearly a third of the BSV’s observed meets resulted in the pursuit and killing of a fox.
Some of the UK's most famous gardeners, including Sarah Gerrard-Jones, author of The Plant Rescuer and writer for BBC Gardeners’ World, spoke out about the RHS's association with The Newt. Gerrard-Jones, a gold medal winner at the 2022 Chelsea Flower Show, boycotted this year's event because of The Newt's sponsorship.
Take action!
You can let the RHS know that you are concerned that it continues to ignore The Newt's links with fox hunting. Sponsorship implies shared values or beliefs, and by continuing to accept sponsorship from The Newt the Chelsea Flower Show is (no matter how inadvertently) aligning itself with cruelty and illegal hunting practices. This not only undermines the show's commitment to promoting a positive and ethical relationship with nature but also tarnishes its reputation.
We're asking our readers to send the horticulture charity a message on its feedback form here, urging it to cut sponsorship ties with the hotel.
We suggest that you copy and paste or adapt the following text:
I am concerned about The Newt in Somerset's sponsorship of the Chelsea Flower Show, due to the hotel's association with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt - one of the most violent, fox-killing hunts in the country. A recent Channel 4 exposé revealed the hunt's criminal activities, leading even its own hunting body to suspend it. More than 11,000 people in just over a week requested the RHS to drop The Newt in 2024, yet the business is still set to be the flower show's headline sponsor in 2025. Please consider disassociating from The Newt until it commits to banning hunts from its property. The RHS should not align with establishments linked to such activities.
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Thank you so much for your continued support!
Rob
Have just completed the feedback form (although did it as a 'complaint'), stating what was suggested and adding in that it's not only cruel but illegal, and why would the RHS want to associate themselves with such activities. BTW thank you to Rob and all at Protect the Wild for your hard work and commitment.
I completed a feedback form and asked for reassurance that the RHS would cut ties with The Newt, only to receive back the same standard e mail received following my first e mail to them a week ago. So, I have written again as follows:
Thanks for your e mail, which unfortunately is the same standard one I received when writing to you about this last week. It doesn’t answer the questions i have raised and I would be grateful for a more meaningful response please.
My wife and I were planning to visit Wisley soon but will not be able to do so until we have reassurance that the RHS will having nothing to do with The Newt until they commit to not allowing hunting on their land. I fail to understand why the RHS would want to be associated with an organisation which supports fox hunting
I look forward to hearing from you.
No reply as yet but the message is don’t accept the RHS standard text which reads as:
Thank you for contacting us.
The RHS has not had any involvement with BSV Hunt groups, does not condone illegal activity and strongly disagrees with illegal fox hunts.
We have highlighted to The Newt in Somerset views and concerns that have been shared with us about this. Please contact the Newt in Somerset direct for any further comment or insight.
Keep the pressure ON !