As a farmer's son, before I went into the Christian ministry in the
1930's, I was about with the sheep at all times of the night at
lambing time. I have never seen a fox taking a living lamb, not even
a new-born one. I think the whole idea is a myth, invented by those
who love to hunt foxes in the name of 'sport'. For nearly two
hundred years our family have been farming in the valley of the
Skythwen which flows into the Wye between Erwood and Llyswen - first
of all 53 acres, then in 1921 my father bought the adjoining farm,
making it over 100 acres. Then my brother and nephew added two more
farms, making it well over 200 acres. If this land had come into my
possession, as part of it would have done if I had not gone to the
Mission Field, I can assure you no Brecon huntsman, or his horse,
would have chased foxes over that land! I have pressed my brother,
and my nephew - who are both born-again Christians - to stop the
hunt going over their farms.
I well recall that foxes or badgers "were taking lambs", and even
"killing sheep"!! It strikes me farmers, like the rest, will believe
what they want to believe! So several farmers were waiting with guns
at the ready each night at farms adjoining my home, where these
'nightly monsters' were supposed to be doing their dirty work! Not a
lamb was lost nor a sheep destroyed while this nightly 'vigil'
continued. But more to the point, not a single fox, nor a badger,
put in an appearance, for these trigger-happy 'night watchers' to
have a go! My father, who took part in this vigil, and one or two
other wise-headed men, drew their own conclusions, and did not
hesitate to voice them. All the farmers who were taking part in this
nightly vigil made doubly sure their own sheep dogs were safely shut
in during that time!
We have been very delighted to hear of your successes during the
year that has just passed, and we wish you God's rich blessing in
your work during this New Year.
(Rev.) D.J.K. Williams
P.S. - I am a Non-conformist Minister. But I have for many years
deplored the Anglican allowing - and even taking part in - hunting
on Church lands. I think the Christian Church - both Anglican and
Non-conformist - has been very week and feeble in its attitude
towards the moral and ethical problems of hunting and destruction of
wild life. If our Bishops and Non-conformist leaders were half as
concerned about the moral and ethical questions of hunting and the
destruction of wild life, as they are about politics, the Christian
Church might at least be respected, even if not attended.
Wildlife Guardian
No.16, Spring 1991
Journal of the League Against Cruel Sports. Reproduced with
Thanks.