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Video of Eton boys protesting

54 replies

Sprongs · 04/05/2022 09:41

What do you think of this video?
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10774559/amp/Eton-schoolboys-launch-protest-fears-school-wants-scrap-hunting-society.html
I was quite surprised. Reading mumsnet posts I have always had the impression that Eton is fairly progressive these days - brilliant bursary program and the intelligent rather than those with tons of money and family estates are getting in on merit rather than being put down at birth.

But this felt like watching something from 100 years ago. Both in what they were protesting about - their beagle hunting pack being threatened - and the fact that it talks of families with estates offering to house the pack. I also thought it was rather intimidating for younger boys to witness.
Made me feel very different about the school, and that it wasn’t one I would pick (if we can ever afford!)

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Sprongs · 04/05/2022 16:12

@nolanscrack well as there are often lots of Eton parents on these threads maybe they don’t feel the same as you do about this particular society and are staying quiet as they are embarrassed? Perhaps they actually recognize this is the 21st century.
Or maybe they will be along later to agree with you.

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dustandroses · 04/05/2022 16:13

Well said @Greensleeves

I thought @nolanscrack was a troll

Eatingpizza · 04/05/2022 16:18

What a rubbish article. Several paragraphs repeated. The nonsense of calling the leadership woke. Faux astonishment of changing the deputy head role into pastoral and academic. And a woman (!) on the leadership team. Commenting on the head wearing chinos. I've worked in elite schools. In the last one, the head had an MBA. The fake horrified tone at the head having modern management ideas is bollocks.

It is obviously a long since I read the dm, but honestly a 14-year old writing an argumentative essay at 10 pm the night before could have done a better job. I know it is a crap paper (obv) but the standard of journalism was woeful.

I thought hunting with dogs was illegal? I agree with the OP's sentiment. I am a bit surprised that they have (or had) their own kennel master - no fucking words! (We thought we had the height of luxury when we had someone to do our photocopying when labour were in - not for years though).

nolanscrack · 04/05/2022 16:22

Still waiting for where I said I didnt like Hendo....
Lots of parents dont bother on threads like this,they always end up with posters like Greensleeves,so why bother...anyway I'm signing out,my work here is done,Ive flushed out a few more ranters and had a good laugh...

Louise0701 · 04/05/2022 16:24

@Eatingpizza the kennel master might be to control the parents 😂

Sprongs · 04/05/2022 16:30

@nolanscrack it has indeed been an entertaining afternoon thanks

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Sprongs · 04/05/2022 16:33

@Eatingpizza hunting with dogs is legal if you follow the rules (although IMHO morally wrong). This pack is well known for breaking the law and these daft boys protesting has just bought the pack to the attention of people who care about things like animal welfare.

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MeanderingGently · 04/05/2022 16:42

From my own personal knowledge of Eton, I would say that some of the leggit footage is from an old leggit. That apart, boys protesting in the form of a leggit is an old and valued tradition amongst the boys, and not the least bit intimidating. Noisy, yes, and it often causes passers-by to stop and watch, but not intimidating.

The beagle pack(s) were an essential part of Eton and boys who were not keen on rugby etc. could spend time exercising the beagles as one of many alternatives. The packs would be seen going on long runs in and around the grounds every afternoon, boys herding them while on their bikes. When the beagles had puppies, it was a notable highlight every time. Boys were very fond of the beagles and any headmaster discontinuing the dogs will be unpopular.

On top of that, the current Head is not liked for many reasons too numerous to mention in detail here. A previous, very approachable deputy head left because of the new Head. Once gone, his role was carved up and the school run as a "business" rather than the very pastoral touch it had before. New hierarchies were created with staff departments which had so many managers that those nearer the top were unreachable, not the very personal, family feel the school enjoyed previously. It is good that the boys have the means to make their feelings known about the way the school is run, they are the ones who live there after all.

Oh and I suspect that the pp 'nolanscrack' is not a troll but an insider. "Nolan's Crack" is an Eton name for a cut-through walkway which runs alongside some of the boarding houses, only an Eton person would know this. (And no, I am not, and never have been, an Eton boy).

Sprongs · 04/05/2022 16:53

@MeanderingGently thank you - I learnt much more from one informed post from you than 10 rants from Nolan’s Crack (I keep thinking of an arse crack when I see their username which is a bit off putting)
I can see Beagle pups would be a highlight at a boarding school. But how many of the boys know that they are used for illegal hare coursing? I do know that the eco society is very big at Eton - what do they think of this ripping apart of hares by these ‘cute’ dogs?

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nolanscrack · 04/05/2022 16:54

Well spotted meandering...
Now ,Sprongs.I'd be careful if I were you..you state the pack is "well known for breaking the law" so doubtless you can by return back that up with details of court cases,convictions etc..or you would be well advised to withdraw the statement and apologise..

Sprongs · 04/05/2022 16:56

@nolanscrack they have been reported frequently - happy to let Mumsnet know the details if they ask me

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Innocenta · 04/05/2022 16:58

@MeanderingGently being an Eton insider doesn't preclude nolanscrack being a troll...! Even trolls have marriages, and sometimes children. Trolling is just a posting style.

Sprongs · 04/05/2022 16:59

@nolanscrack if you really are a member of staff as the PP suggested you will be well aware of the issues with this pack of beagles hunting hares over the years!

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lameasahorse · 04/05/2022 17:47

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Hondelay · 05/05/2022 09:21

It makes me think of "arse crack" too.

SmileyClare · 05/05/2022 10:56

The boys are very fond of the beagles..banning them will be very unpopular

You're condoning a blood sport because the boys like to stroke the hunting dogs? Well as long as the boys are getting their jollies eh?

Nolanscrack you're just endorsing the Etonian stereotype with your obnoxious replies- rude, arrogant, superior, entitled, snobby and derisory of others in not in your circle.

You can't defend boorish male entitled behaviour because its an Etonian tradition with a daft name. There's no place for it in modern society so it shouldn't be encouraged at private school. It's outdated self serving crap. Neither should hunting.

I'm absolutely cringing that you call the head Mr. Henderson "Hendo"

Innocenta · 05/05/2022 15:19

@SmileyClare Well said.

NewtonsPendulum · 07/05/2022 14:44

@SmileyClare well said. @nolanscrack is unfailingly rude, arrogant, supercilious, sneering and Eton-obsessed (the username 🙄 ). The juxtaposition of her superior tone with her terrible grammar and spelling is grating but also quite funny.

The latest example - a goady and superior "Viva la révolution" when she can't quote it properly is hilariously ironic. 'Vive la révolution' (French) or' Viva la revolución' (Spanish). Which, nolan? sorry you can't have both.

Desperately trying to project 'erudite' when the reality seems much more 'déclassé'

TizerorFizz · 07/05/2022 17:01

Hunting a “drag” or lure with hounds is not illegal. Hounds hunting live animals is. If boys want to run behind a pack of dogs following a scent, so what? If the farmers are ok with this it’s fine. Hundreds of hound packs do this every week with very few mishaps. If packs are reported, the police weigh up the evidence. So court cases tell you what’s illegal. There haven’t been many of them. Most hounds are impeccably trained.

The head is modernising as he thinks fit. There was a big row about a master’s lecture a few years ago. Some people do not like the head. Some people do. It’s only in the news because it’s Eton and it’s rich folk. Long live beagles I say. Great dogs!

lameasahorse · 07/05/2022 18:13

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pompomseverywhere · 07/05/2022 18:40

TizerorFizz · 07/05/2022 17:01

Hunting a “drag” or lure with hounds is not illegal. Hounds hunting live animals is. If boys want to run behind a pack of dogs following a scent, so what? If the farmers are ok with this it’s fine. Hundreds of hound packs do this every week with very few mishaps. If packs are reported, the police weigh up the evidence. So court cases tell you what’s illegal. There haven’t been many of them. Most hounds are impeccably trained.

The head is modernising as he thinks fit. There was a big row about a master’s lecture a few years ago. Some people do not like the head. Some people do. It’s only in the news because it’s Eton and it’s rich folk. Long live beagles I say. Great dogs!

We all know now that drag hunting is by their own admission a smoke screen for real hunting. The director of the masters of the Foxhounds Association said so himself.

I've seen it with my own eyes. No one drag hunts in my area.
Cubbing is rife here where they blood the hounds on the slower cubs and let a few speedier ones get away for more sick fun further into the season.

TizerorFizz · 07/05/2022 20:49

@pompomseverywhere
No it’s not. You are being untruthful and if there was cubbing they would be prosecuted. Just let people who enjoy drag hunting enjoy it. It doesn’t affect you and I would bet you have seen nothing. Just utter rubbish. Plenty of hunts go out every week and farmers give permission. That’s how it works and people enjoy a good ride or run. If you can prove hunts hunt live animals routinely, please show me the court cases. There would be hundreds.

pompomseverywhere · 07/05/2022 21:02

@TizerorFizz you sound ridiculous to me. I have monitored the local hunt many many times and I know what I have seen and recorded.
It's you that doesn't know what they are talking about.

Sprongs · 07/05/2022 21:30

@TizerorFizz lots of farmers round here hate the hunt. Most packs in UK have dire worming procedure and as the hounds are fed a raw meat diet of fallen stock (ponies, lambs) they are writhing with worms. They also feed the dead hounds to the hounds. When a hound reaches the age of 5 or 6 it will be deemed not fit enough for active service and shot (hunts with dwindling followers don’t have the money for vet fees) Most huntsmen don’t have the right training and this can be a slow and agonising way to die when done wrong. The Eton pack has a bad reputation for illegal hunting and now doubt ‘Hendo’ and his team know this and will move it on. Outdated and cruel.

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Sprongs · 07/05/2022 21:49

@TizerorFizz
plenty of cases in last year, smokescreen finally clearing.

One high profile one at the moment - Beaufort - master and whipper in about to appear in court in autumn charged with illegal hunting.
The below case was particularly nice wasn’t it - he is off to jail thankfully. Scum!
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10342835/amp/Thug-48-arrested-undercover-footage-caught-stabbing-fox-PITCHFORK.html

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