YOU can help put an end to this, join the National Demonstration on TUESDAY 25th FEB 2003, meet at 10.00am at the New Causeway, just past Tescošs, in Formby (See Directions). Are you going to sit back and let the Hares die! Or are you going to come to Formby and make sure the coursers know theyšre not welcome. All we are asking for is ONE DAY of your time. After the march to the killing fields of Altcar, we are planning on taking our protest to the heart of Southport. Many of the blood junkies reside in Southport over the week, come and meet them face to face. You can show them that their sickening sport has no part in a civilised society.
Directions: From the South M6 North for Warrington junc26, M58 Liverpool junc7, A5207Crosby, right on to the A565 Formby, Tescošs on the right B5195. From the North, M6 South to junc26 then as above. From the East M62 west to Liverpool junc6, right on to M57 towards Magull to junc7, then A5207Crosby, right on to A565 Formby, Tescošs on the right (B5195). Go past Tescošs until you come to the New Causeway and a right hand turn. This is the starting point. Click here for [interactive map]
For further information or help please contact the NWHSA on 07960 038230
Controversial Cup set to run (2002 report)
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/page.cfm?objectid=11585462&method=full&page=1
(report from 2002) by Jennifer Wildman, Liverpool Echo
THE Waterloo Cup is set to go ahead this year and will take place at the Withins, Altcar, on February 26, 27 and 28 (2002).
The event fell victim to last year's foot and mouth crisis but organisers say they are back on track and raring to go with this year's event.
Highly regarded among coursing and country sports professionals, the Waterloo Cup attracts vast publicity for a number of reasons.
There are those who see it as the highlight of the sporting year and a tradition to be cherished while others say it serves no purpose and inflicts unnecessary pain on animals.
The Government is still to take a decision on banning countryside sports as the last Parliamentary term ran out before a final vote in the House of Commons could be taken.
But on the ground the debate is very much alive.
A protest involving individuals and members of several animal protection groups will be staged at the hare coursing event on February 26, but demonstrators are confident their point will be made peacefully.
Police from Lancashire and Merseyside with attend the event and say they are more than happy for each side to exercise their rights in an orderly way.
Ugly scenes, nicknamed "The Battle of Waterloo" accompanied the event in 1988 when over 1000 protested attended and efforts are being made to ensure future protests are co-ordinated and carried out safely with minimal disturbance to local residents.
Visitors from all sides of the equation are confident this can be avoided in 2002.
Today the ECHO explores the traditions of the cup and the views of various people who attend the event for very different reasons.
HISTORY
THE Waterloo Cup was founded in 1836 by Liverpool hotelier William Lynn
- the man also responsible for the creation of The Grand National
steeplechase.
Mr Lynn was eager to encourage business to his thriving Waterloo Hotel
and conceived the idea for both events as a way to attract visitors to
the plush establishment on Lime Street.
In 1836 he asked Lord Sefton for permission to stage a two day hare
coursing event on the Sefton's estate in Altcar.
The plan was to have a three day sporting extravaganza with qualifying
rounds for the coursing event on day one, an equestrian steeplechase in
Maghull the next day and a return to Altcar on the third day for the
hare coursing finals.
By the mid 1840s both events have gained national recognition in their
own right and become separate events.
Surprisingly, at the turn of the century it was not unusual for the
Waterloo Cup to attract over 80,000 spectators - more than the average
football crowd at the time.
The "sport" has thrown up a number of celebrity champions through the
years, the most famous being an Irish dog called Master M'Grath.
Legend has it bonfires were lit all over Ireland when the greyhound won
his third Waterloo crown.
When his racing days were finished he was given by royal appointment to
Queen Victoria and in Burscough, near Altcar, a pub was named in his
honour.
Today the event is held in front of a much smaller crowd, but one which
still retains a passion for coursing.
RULES
Each year 64 registered thoroughbred greyhounds take part in the
knock-out event on Withins Field, Altcar, hoping to win the prestigious
Waterloo Cup and the associated prize monies.
Beaters scare the hares onto a course and when they get 80 yards down
the course two hounds are released by a qualified "Slipper" to try and
catch it.
A professionally trained judge on horseback watches each dog chasing the
quarry and awards points for things such as speed, agility and the way
it makes the hare change direction.
Points are also awarded if a hare is killed but advocates of the sport
are keen to stress the aim of the game is not to kill the quarry but to
score the most points.
The dog which accrues the most points goes through to the next round
until the best two dogs take each other on in the final.
Statistics for how many hares die are greatly disputed between those who
love and loathe the sport.
Hare Coursers insist an average of one in eight hares die while
protesters say the true figure is more than twice this amount.
THE PROTESTORS
ANIMAL lover Tony Moore has achieved notoriety for his attempts to stop
animal cruelty.
He is campaign manager for the Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe
(FAACE) group - based just a few miles down the road from Altcar in
Southport - but has travelled the world trying to get his message heard.
Mr Moore says: "Hare coursing is a step back in the evolution of
mankind. "The animals are not a pest because they don't dig holes in the
ground and don't significantly damage crops because they tend to live
alone rather than in massive groups like rabbits.
"And as the event takes place in February, lots of the hares have young
leverets or are heavily pregnant and to put them through this is
immoral.
"Although it can be less we have figures to show one in four hares die
as a result of coursing.
"It is not done as a measure of pest control, it is not done as a matter
of necessity, or to feed hungry people, it is done out of an obscene
desire to watch animals die.
"Coursers will tell you the object is not to kill and they prefer it
when the hare gets away, but this just doesn't wash.
"When the hounds catch their quarry a huge cheer goes up from the crowd.
"Points are awarded, among other things, for killing the hare so you can
not say this is not one of the objects of the exercise.
"There is no benefit to the hare population by holding such events.
"Hares are often imported from places like Newmarket to make sure there
are enough, so they are not familiar with the ground and have a less
than evens chance of survival anyway.
He concludes: "The eyes of the world are on the Waterloo Cup because if
its notoriety, so care is taken not to show cruelty.
"The problem is, if hare coursing is not banned for good and soon, the
smaller, less renowned meetings will continue with their cruel
practices."
THE COURSERS
"Kevin" is a 37-year-old coursing fan from North Liverpool.
He has followed the sport and been to the Waterloo Cup regularly since
he was 12-years -old, but does not want his surname to be revealed in
case he becomes the target of hate mail from protesters.
He said: "I always go to the Waterloo Cup along with my girlfriend and
the kids, its just like a really good day out.
"People try to tell you supporters only go along to see the quarry
killed but this is not true at all.
"The cheers when the hare gets away are just as loud as when it is
caught by the hound.
"I became interested after my brother started going along to the event.
"The enjoyment is certainly not in the kill but in witnessing the speed,
agility, and working ability of the dogs.
"But the quarry is admired too. It can't be easy outwitting an animal
that is running at 40 miles per hour but they still do it.
"The thrill is the competition of two animals using their natural
instincts - the result becomes more or less irrelevant.
"I believe strongly there is an element of choice here.
"Personally I don't like seeing animals shot, as I am an animal lover
myself and love being able to watch them in action at close quarters.
"I also enjoy things like ferreting and falconry.
"For me and the members of the club I am in it is about understanding
the countryside, understanding the methods of controlling animal numbers
and seeing how people like game keepers play their part in keeping the
countryside in balance.
He finishes: "For people who have never seen this type of event before I
would ask do not judge, just come and see nature at work for yourself."