“The worldβs only managed colony of nesting Mute Swans…A relaxing and calm place, a visit to the Swannery is a special and unique experience. ” A beautiful place that surely has nothing to do with hunting? Sadly, it does. The Swannery is open to the public from “mid-March until November”, which perhaps explains why owner Charlotte Townshend – who inherited the Ilchester estate which includes the Swannery in the 1990s – allowed the Cattistock Hunt to meet at such a ‘relaxing and calm’ place in December 2024 when the public wouldn’t be around. That and the fact she is avowedly pro-hunt and former master of the self-same Cattistock of course. Weymouth Animal Rights found them there, and along with Two Counties Hunt Sabs, stopped any kills taking place, and then had the pleasure of watching the hunt take a “march of shame” back to the Swannery to pack up again in the late afternoon.
Abbotsbury Swannery (Dorset)
Links to further information
- Weymouth Animal Rights: ππππ¬ π π¨π’π₯ ππ‘π¨π¨π ππ§π ππ¨π§ππ«π¨π§π ππ’π¨π₯ππ§π πππππ’π¬ππ¨ππ€ (Facebook December 2024)
- Dorset Echo: RICH LIST: Landowner the Hon Charlotte Townshend and New Look founder Tom Singh remain among the richest people in South West (May 2018)
- Dorset Echo: Charlotte Townshend forced to resign as Dorset Wildlife Trust patron (May 2013)
- The Independent: Millionaire blocks nature reserve in hunt ban protest (July 1999)
Credits
Information provided by a supporter. Screenshot Weymouth Animal Rights.
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Listing is to inform choice only. By listing a business we are not suggesting or implying that the business is acting unlawfully. We are not asking for a boycott of the business. If you wish to contact the business please do so politely. We are a non-violent organisation and making threats, intimidating or harassing individuals is never acceptable under any circumstances and may lead to prosecution.