A CONTROVERSIAL hunt ball at Marwell Hotel has been cancelled.

The Hunt Ball for the Hursley Hambledon Hunt was due to take place at the hotel, near Marwell Zoo, Colden Common, on Saturday, March 2.

However, the hotel announced via Facebook late on Wednesday, February 14 that the event had been cancelled.

It would appear that the event was booked without the hotel's "usual protocols" being followed.

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The Hursley Hambledon Hunt has said that the cancellation is the result of "bullying tactics of animal rights extremists".

A spokesperson for the hunt said: “It is disappointing that the bullying tactics of animal rights extremists have caused a business unnecessary administration and distress, pressurising them into cancelling our event, however, we are delighted that we have now secured a new venue and look forward to welcoming our guests on the night.

“The hunt conducts lawful trail hunting activities and likes to support local businesses yet these activists make false allegations in order to pursue their own misleading agenda, in this case resulting in a loss of revenue for one of those businesses.”

Oliver Bastian, resident manager of Marwell Hotel, said: “I would like to apologise for the delay in publicly addressing the situation. Once I became aware that the event was booked at Marwell Hotel, I immediately recognised the need for cancellation. However, there were legal complications that needed to be resolved before making a public announcement, as a deposit had been accepted and a contract entered into.

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“I take full responsibility for the oversight in the booking process, as it was made by a member of the wider ‘Bastian family’ without following the usual protocols. I want to express my sincere apologies to my team for any unnecessary stress they may have experienced as a result.

“While I believe that hospitality businesses should generally remain politically neutral, I have come to realize, through the passionate feedback I have received, that I have unintentionally failed in this regard. I want to make it clear that I do not support any illegal activities, including those that cause unnecessary suffering to animals.

“I am proud of the setting at Marwell Hotel and the efforts we make to nurture the native fauna and flora on our grounds. During the extended closure in 2020, I had the opportunity to live at the hotel and witness the abundance of wildlife we share this site with. It was a humbling experience that reinforced the importance of making small changes to positively impact our delicate ecosystems. I am committed to making continuous improvements, no matter how small, to better myself and contribute to a net positive impact on our environment.”

A spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said the cancellation is "a clear case of majority opinion winning".

They said: "We are seeing businesses across the country drop hunts, banning them from meeting in their venues, farms and pubs. It has taken a lot of hard work, and relentless effort from hunt saboteurs and individuals such as those who contacted the Marwell Hotel to express their disgust, but the tables are slowly turning."

Winchester City Councillor Sue Cook, ward councillor for Colden Common and Twyford, said: "I'm pleased that (Marwell) has done what it's done and the event has been cancelled.

"In my eyes, Marwell represents endangered animals, and anything which is causing distress to an animal I certainly wouldn't want to hold a function and promote it."