Royal Artillery Hunt & Boxing Day Meet at Chitterne Recreation Ground
Despite being banned from MOD land, the Royal Artillery Hunt continues its Boxing Day meet at Chitterne Recreation Ground, amid mounting safety concerns. For years, inadequate risk assessments, ignored warnings, and documented breaches have put the public at risk. Evidence of loose hounds, unmanaged horses, and hazardous waste was repeatedly dismissed. Even after Health and Safety Executive involvement and council admissions of failure, the Hunt was welcomed back in 2024, raising serious questions about accountability and public safety.
Back in December 2021, it became clear to AAF members that Chitterne Parish Council (CPC) showed only a token interest in public safety and its duty of care, despite allowing the RAH to meet on the recreation ground for many years. It also became apparent that the RAH paid little regard to public safety or their responsibilities when holding a public event.
The meet location: Recreation Ground
For those unfamiliar with the area, the Recreation Ground is a beautiful public green space within the village, featuring an open play area. It is used for a variety of events and enjoyed by both locals and visitors.
It is worth noting that, despite a strict NO DOGS policy at all times—applied to locals and other event organisers—the hunt is exempt. CPC stated via email on 5 June 2023: 
“…the Hunt with their dogs are allowed on but they have a system to clear up afterwards.”
Here’s the journey so far…
Boxing Day, December 2022: CPC failed to carry out basic checks for a public event. Despite AAF writing to CPC in November 2022 highlighting health and safety dangers and clearly outlining the council’s duties when allowing events on council-owned land, no response was received. The Risk Assessment submitted by the RAH, and accepted by the council, was outdated (May 2020) and based entirely on their hunt kennels. As such, it bore no relevance whatsoever to the Boxing Day event.
Having received no response from CPC, the matter was raised directly with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). In June 2023, the HSE confirmed they would contact CPC regarding these concerns, which they did.
Boxing Day, December 2023: The RAH failed to follow their own Risk Assessment, putting the public at risk. Although a much-improved Risk Assessment was submitted on 6 November 2023, there was little evidence on the day that it was followed. Faeces from both hounds and horses were not disposed of safely and were instead dumped in a pile of leaves within the grounds, with significant amounts left behind in the children’s play area. This clearly did not align with the agreed claim of having “a system to clear up afterwards.”
Additionally, hounds and horses were not separated from the public. Hounds were seen running freely in gardens and play areas. All of this was documented, and evidence was sent to CPC.
CPC emailed the RAH on 18 February, sharing the evidence and stating that “the contents do make very disappointing reading.” The RAH responded the following day and, rather than taking responsibility, dismissed the concerns by claiming the person who raised them was a “known anti.” This response speaks volumes about the Hunt’s attitude to accountability and public safety.
The issue was formally discussed at a council meeting on 11 March 2024. Councillors confirmed they had attended the event themselves and supported the points raised. Council minutes note that CPC would be contacting the hunt “expressing disappointment.”
Boxing Day, December 2024: Despite the previous years’ failings, the RAH was welcomed back once again. A new Risk Assessment dated 26 November 2024 was submitted, and once again it was not followed. Evidence was provided, and in October we wrote again, reminding CPC of their duties and the risks associated with hounds, horses, and public interaction.
The RAH now has a new Master of the Hunt, so perhaps there is reason to hope for a change in attitude towards public safety. However, we are far less hopeful regarding CPC, given the following statement made via email on 7 January 2025 by Barry Ricketts, Clerk of CPC:
“We share your concern and I assure you that the highest standards of public safety were applied at the Meet on Boxing Day, which was both well regulated and appreciated by those who attended.”
Finally, a big thank you to the many local AAF members who continue to monitor this hunt and attend every Boxing Day event. A special mention to the local sab group, Salisbury Sabs, who continue to monitor the hunt. Their actions over the years helped secure the ban on Salisbury Plain and have significantly reduced the Hunt’s operating area. Well done to everyone involved.
