St Peter’s Church (Dorset)

“Stourton Caundle Parish Church, Stalbridge Parish Church, Purse Caundle Parish Church and Stock Gaylard Parish Church take their responsibilities surrounding the safeguarding of children, young people, and adults who may be at risk very seriously…” The first church listed on the bloodbusiness website – perhaps surprising given the long connection between the Church and hunts and hunting (and all that “the “Lord” gave man dominion over animals” nonsense). Churches are less likely to get involved with something so very many people are opposed to these days, but not so St Peter’s, Purse Caundle. The vicar there, the Rev’d Canon Richard Hancock, was photographed (by a well-known terrier woman for the Courtenay Tracy Mink Hounds) on St Huberts Day in November 2024 with what appears to members of the Purbeck and Bovington Beagles (a hare hunt with a green uniform with pale blue collars). St Hubert, a hunter himself, is considered to be the patron saint of hunters and a blessing ofte given by the church to hunts starts “Great St. Hubert, bless all who gather here in this natural setting, whose aim is to follow in your footsteps to be skilled and ethical hunters.” Would the Rev’d Hancock be as willing to pose with hare coursers, we wonder? There really is no difference as far as the hare is concerned. The similar-looking Park Beagles were sabbed by Two Counties Hunt Sabs (also in November 2024) where they reported that “huntsmen can be seen running and encouraging hunting-on” – typical behaviour of hare hunts and hare huntsmen…