Leaguecast

Criminal barristers aren't required to have specialist knowledge in specific areas, so when criminal barrister Gregory Gordon took on a hunting case he decided to experience all aspects of the 'sport' to better understand it.  In our first Leaguecast episode, Greg tells Emma about his experience as 'quarry' in a clean boot hunt and what he thinks needs to change to see an end to hunting once and for all.  Gregory Gordon is a criminal barrister specialising in complex crime, environment and regulatory offences, as well as hunting and animal welfare. Most recently he was the prosecutor in the trial of senior huntsman  Mark Hankinson.Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

Policy makers are a vital component for change in UK legislation. In this episode Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport and shadow minister for the armed forces, chats to Emma about why he believes reinforcing the spirit of the law and clearer enforcement mechanisms are the key to strengthening the Hunting Act 2004. Luke Pollard is also former shadow secretary of state for the environment and remains a vocal advocate for animal welfare.NB: Other political party representatives have been approached about appearing on this series. Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

As a seasoned political campaigner, Chris Luffingham, director of external affairs and deputy CEO at League Against Cruel Sports, knows what it takes to bring about change in a tough political climate. In this episode, Chris and Emma discuss how the Hunting Act 2004 is letting animals and the public down, and touch on a news story where hunt hounds disrupted a funeral.Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

The Conservative party and anti-blood sports aren't two things that often go together. In this episode however, Emma talks to Dame Caroline Dinenage, a person who perfectly combines the two. Dame Caroline Dinenage has been Conservative MP for Gosport since 2010,  is a former patron of the RSPCA and a supporter of the League Against Cruel Sports. Dame Caroline is also a founding member of the Conservatives Against Fox Hunting group and was most recently named a patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation.Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

The conservation and environment industry is the second-least diverse sector in the UK.Jasmine Isa Qureshi is a writer, journalist, marine biologist and all-round wildlife heroine. In this episode, Jasmine tells Emma about how she believes those who harm wildlife and animals, extend that behaviour to humans too; racism being an example. Jasmine's old name is used in the episode, as this was recorded before she changed her name.Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) is a student-led education charity focusing on sustainability. The charity admits that it knows environmental sustainability cannot be achieved in isolation, so it spans across issues of justice and wellbeing as well.In this episode, Erica, a volunteer at SOS-UK tells Emma about how she came to be at SOS-UK and how it enabled her to learn more about what 'environment' means and how it benefits us all. Erica also explains what vital work the charity does to ensure the sector is more inclusive. Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

While some organisations are working to address the lack of ethnic diversity, Full Colour research shows that 84% of organisations, while willing to take action, lack direction. In this episode, Dr Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link (Link), tells Emma about route map, a 5 year initiative in which 42 environment groups have pledged to boost ethnic diversity in the sector.Dr Richard Benwell has held a series of influential positions in the civil service, House of Commons Commission, and the environmental movement. Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

The wildlife sector can often appear out of reach to those wanting to work in it; TV presenter and zoologist, Megan McCubbin feels that young people are the answer to moving that forward. In the first of our special edition series, Megan explains why the next generation should be empowered to do more, and  tells Emma about a volunteering project she went on that changed her perspective on everything. Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

2023 has seen many illegal animal welfare incidents exposed. In this episode we chat to Dominic Dyer about the importance social media plays on sharing such incidents and what he thinks is next on the agenda for animals.Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

Major landowners still allow so-called trail hunting on their land while others, such as the National Trust, have banned it for good.The League has launched a new campaign in which we're calling for all National Parks to end hunting for good.In this episode, Emma chats to John Petrie, senior regional campaigns manager for the League to hear all about the new campaign and what you can do to help.Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

In this episode, Emma talks to Paul Tillsley, head of conservation and education at the League and one of the League's longest serving employees. Paul has vast experience of living near, and monitoring hunts, and tells Emma about an incident that saw him end up in hospital. Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

In this episode we speak to Emma Slawinski, director of policy, prevention and campaigns for the RSPCA, about their part in the largest coalition of charities against fox hunting. Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

In this special episode, we speak to two livestock farmers who grew up in hunting families and had no choice but to hunt from an early age.Becky and Nicky were raised in a hunting community and talk to Emma about things they experienced and witnessed as young girls from two different hunts. TRIGGER WARNING: contains topics that listeners may find triggering. Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs

In this episode, Emma speaks to Carly Ahlen, Founder of Gabo Wildlife and British army veteran. When Carly isn't rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, Carly monitors her local hunt where she's endured physical and emotional abuse from the hunt while trying desperately to stop foxes being killed. Follow our work at: www.league.org.ukListen to more episodes: Leaguecast | Animal Charity PodcastFollow us on TikTok: @leagueagainstcruelsportsFollow us on Instagram: @leagueagainstcs