I wish to agree and reiterate the comments made by Antje above.
I watched Anne Widdecombe this morning, outlining to the general and very ignorant ostrich headed public what many of us have known for quite some considerable time, regarding the excessively cruel practice of murdering Bears to wear them in the rain.
The Queen, (who agrees with hunting by the way) should represent the feelings of the public generally regarding the obtaining of and wearing of fur. It is abhorrent to most to wear our friends.
It is time that the army dropped that fatal word TRADITION, and got up to date, and found a new waterproof hat, bearskins are an abomination, and should be replaced now.
Than you again Anne, and thank you too Antjie Molton. We are all behind you, ban the bearskins and use an alternative waterproof material, what’s wrong with a smart waterproof hat with a brim, such as the Canadian Mounties wear, sexy too!

Oh, how I agree with the two correspondents (above). I am so grateful to Ann Widdecombe for braving so-called “tradition” and exposing this excruciating cruelty for what it is: cowardice.
I was under the misapprehension that bear skins had actually been replaced with a synthetic material - how naive could I have been? How sickenening to bait and fatally wound these bears while their cubs look on and eventually starve, just to embellish a uniform which is completely out of date anyway. Because of this outrage, I am joining PETA’s membership, and would earnestly encourge like-minded folks to do the same.

I am currently in communication with Annette Dando from the Ministry of Defence regarding this issue. I received a pathetic response to my first letter and I am sending this letter to th MoD today:

7th May 2008

Dear Annette,

Thank you for your response to my letter regarding the use of bear skins by the Guards Regiments.

I find it extraordinary that, if indeed the Ministry of Defence has been seeking an artificial alternative ‘…for some years’, it still hasn’t found an acceptable solution. If there are so many significant technical challenges in replicating bear skin, then why is this line of research still being pursued? Surely, after years of testing faux bear skin, it would be more sensible to simply change the uniform ceremonial caps altogether? It would save time, money, effort and most importantly the lives of bears and their cubs and save them from the appalling cruelty they endure for the sake of ‘tradition’.

It seems that the Ministry of Defence are somewhat stuck in the mud trying to cling on to this outdated, cruel and ridiculous custom. I believe that there is a solution and that this solution will be implemented in the future. Would it not be shrewd of the current Ministry of Defence leadership to embrace change and take the credit for a proud and positive transformation of their practices? It is only a matter of time before someone sees sense and acts upon the pleas of compassionate individuals who are constantly campaigning for the ethical treatment of animals. It beggars belief that a modern, educated, revered British military, who represent our nation to the world, can justify the continuation of this barbaric slaughter.
I beg that drastic action be taken now. We are ridiculous in the eyes of the world and it is time for the Ministry of Defence to acknowledge this, think outside the box and come up with an alternative. I urge them to make history not be a slave to it.

I ask that my letter be passed to the Ministry of Defence and that somebody please produce a more satisfactory response.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Jessica Leek

I will keep you posted regarding the reply that I receive.

Well done to Ann Widecombe in supporting this cause. Let’s all keep up the campaign. How long can they hold out???

Jessica Leek

Hey Sam,

I totally understand your concern about what happens to all bears and other hunted animals, of course black bear hunting for the Queen’s Guards’ caps is sadly just one factor. But I think you’ll agree that as this is something that is happening right on our doorstep in London (well, the parading of the offending caps) it is something PETA is focusing on to get changed. PETA does concentrate on other skins related issues (see http://www.peta.org.uk/cmp/skins.asp), all of which are important, but many people don’t realise that the MoD are still using real bearskin hats. With everyone rallying together, we can achieve so much more.

Thanks!