The League ‘fox’ and campaigners take to the historic heart of York to call on the National Trust to end fox hunting on its land

Volunteers and staff from the leading national animal welfare charity, including one in a fox costume, gathered on Parliament Street close to the Shambles, to urge the public to take action and sign up to its National Trust campaign.

Nick Weston, head of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “The public in this historic city gave us all a lovely reception and really took to the League ‘fox’, with it bringing a smile to many people’s faces.

“We spoke with lots of people from across Yorkshire today, many being National Trust members, and who enthusiastically signed up to our campaign calling on the National Trust to stop fox hunting on its land.

“Many people told us lovely stories about the foxes where they live in the Yorkshire countryside and how they need protecting.”

The day of action in York is one of a series of League actions taking place across the country this summer ahead of the National Trust’s AGM in Harrogate this October, when there will be a vote in which members will get the chance to call for a permanent ban on the licensing of trail hunting.

The National Trust to its credit paused the licensing of trail hunting after this, but it is now time to have the ban made permanent.

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Notes to editors

Social distancing, masks and hand sanitisers were used at all times and staff took a Covid-19 lateral flow test in advance of the day of campaigning.