At a time when fox hunting is facing an uncertain future, those who participate in this sport can, through their actions, swing some of the un-committed in their favour, at best or, at worst, do nothing to antagonise the "un-committed" then, you would have thought, they would be doing their sport a service.

As residents of Rilla Mill with a few acres of agricultural land and woodland forming part of our property together with a stretch of river frontage where the Lynher forms one of the boundaries, we have never been approached by anyone representing a local hunt to ascertain if we would object to their crossing our land.

It came, therefore, as a considerable surprise to learn that on Wednesday October 13, a hunt took place locally and the hounds were set off from the Addicroft area, crossed the river and roamed freely and un-controlled across our land and through our woods, presumably in pursuit of some hapless fox.

I have since walked through these woods, presumably and seen for myself the evidence of their passage and the damage done by a pack of hounds. I should add that the hounds were eventually brought back under control by a whipper-in who was temporarily based in the Patrieda area. I must stress that I did not personally witness this but those who did are honest, reliable people not given to exaggeration nor to flights of fancy.

Furthermore before I am accused of using inflammatory language by describing the passage of the hounds as "un-controlled" perhaps I should add that several (an un-confirmed nine were counted) entered our garden and one even had to be escorted from the greenhouse.... I have seen foxes in many parts of our property but I can confirm that they do not frequent the greenhouse.

if anyone representing a local hunt which on that day visited the Addicroft and Liverscombe areas of Rilla Mill, on reading this letter, has the courage and decency to "own-up" to any or all of the above accusations he or she will be assured of a courteous hearing although the likelihood of swaying the opinions of my wife and me in favour of hunting can be compared with the possible survival of a snowball in Hell.

At the time of writing, no-one representing a local hunt has seen fit to visit us to apologise for this intrusion.

TONY GREENWOOD

Rilla Mill.