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Message from Welsh Border Wildlife Protectors
7th September 2026
We have recently received some absolutely shocking and disturbing information, regarding the Flint & Denbigh Hunt and their previous huntsman for the 2025/2026 season CONALL MCGRATH.
On January 17th 2026, a shocking incident occurred on a hunt day at the Kinmel Estate in Abergele, owned by Dickon Fetherstonhaugh; direct family of Davina Fetherstonhaugh – who is joint master of the Flint & Denbigh hunt and Harry Fetherstonhaugh – who is the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd.
A young child, aged 8, the son of the Hunt Master for the Flint & Denbigh Hunt- MATHEW HOLMBERG, was photographed by Whipper in CAT EVANS being blooded by a freshly killed fox on the hunt, by Huntsman – Conall McGrath.
In these photos (pictured in the post) also shows Terrier men ROB SMITH and JOE SCIARRILLO in the background- with Joe proudly posing with a terrier (The BHSA have told all hunts NOT to use terriers, as they are not needed on a ‘trail’ hunt!!)
The young child, was brought on the hunt by his father, Mathew Holmburg, and mother, Ali Valentine, who are pictured at the hunt on the day, by long term hunt photographer Kathleen Cox.
Mother & wife, Ali Valentine, runs a business selling vintage items called The Bailiff’s, as well as a glamping business called Valentines Glamorous Camping – based in Llanbedrog , Pwlleli.
Father and Husband, Mathew Holmburg, as well as being a Hunt Master for the F&D, is a partner at Jones Peckover – who are property surveyors, estate agents, valuers and auctioneers.
Their hobbies also including shooting. They brought their same young son to a partridge shoot on the 1st of September 2026 and irresponsibly allowed him take part in the shoot.
Partridges are fast flying birds, which are typically too fast a target for young children, meaning many partridge will likely be badly wounded and not killed outright.
Following this shoot, the young child of Ali & Mathew, was AGAIN blooded with freshly killed partridge blood.
This was done by gamekeeper and owner of the Gwysaney Sporting Club – JAMES DAVIES COOKE. Ali proudly posted this on her vintage business page “The Bailiffs” on social media.
James Davies Cooke also has ties with the Flint & Denbigh Hunt Sarah Davies-Cooke is joint master of the hunt and their sister Alice Davies-Cooke is a regular rider.
Whilst shooting is not illegal, it still shows their mindset of grooming their child into taking part in this ‘sport’ and excitedly have their child blooded by the dead animal whilst restraining him.
Blooding their child with fox blood, is even worse.
As we all know, fox hunting is illegal and has been since 2005, so to bring their child to take part in an illegal activity and get the huntsman, who broke the law by killing this fox, to then smear the child’s face in blood is absolutely barbaric.
THIS is why we monitor & sabotage hunts.
THIS is why we attend all the meets.
THIS is why we need a FULL BAN.
Because THIS is what goes on when we are not there!!
Every single person who was out on that day and / or is aware of this incident and is STILL going out hunting with the Flint & Denbigh hunt, should feel deeply ashamed with themselves.
This hunt needs BOYCOTTING!!
This terrible incident was reported to NORTH WALES RURAL CRIME POLICE at the time of the incident. A recent phone call with the police confirmed the investigation in to killing the fox and blooding the child is CLOSED.
However, we cannot be told the outcome of the investigation- whether there was any conviction. We won’t hold our breath on this.
Due to what goes on behind closed doors when we are not there, we are making it a priority to attend every meet of this hunt.
If you would like to support us and support our fuel fund, to keep an eye on these criminals then you can do by donating through the link below:
Thank you 🦊🖤
OMG these bastards certainly want locking up not only breaking the law but showing kids it is OK to murder. This is truly shocking.