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The interview with Andy took place in Binns Cafe, a locally know coffee shop where in the 80s it was where the Punks, Skins, Mods, New Romantics, all used to meet up; sitting around perhaps 15 to a table with 1 pot of tea, until we were thrown out.
So it was fitting that Andy suggested to meet there, top floor as usual. It was a bit noisy with a child throwing spoons around and tea pots being washed, but the conversation flowed as i knew it would.
Andy is one of the few who used punk music not only for enjoyment but to motivate himself to get involved with the local hunt saboteurs. If i can put that into context, if you grew up in Cumbria you knew of John Peel, a historical figure who used to call the hounds to go hunting. Hunting is part of the Cumbrian culture, just as Highland bagpipes are a part of Scottish culture. The Cumbrian hunt sabs, challenged that tradition, fought it and (in my opinion) won.
It is a fascinating interview, as the anarcho-punk scene, of Crass and Conflict, inspired people from Carlisle and around to organize themselves into a direct action group, to stop the cruelty to animals; often in front of hostile hunts people, police, and a media who did not take them seriously…at first.
What was more interesting, after the microphone was knocked off a more detailed discussion took place, and the facts about what really happened could easily be made into a film. It is a story that is touched upon in the interview, but it is an untold story of Cumbria, one that turned friend against friend and split families and communities.
If you want more information you can go to these sites:
https://cumbrianhuntsabs.blogspot.com
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCIR3waEa9pfh1T-A8oFqJGA
Here is the interview:
