Jaine & Simon Wild, Skirmishes with Savages. The Wild years 1980s and beyond, 2023. Paperback, 108 pages.
There will be two diverse groups of readers of this book. Those in the know who have followed this couple’s lifework for wildlife protection and have participated themselves either to a greater or lesser extent over the years, and General readers, who are drawn to pick up and peruse a well-designed and attractive publication.
Jaine and Simon Wild’s narrative begins with each of them introducing themselves (For the benefit of the General reader). Whilst this part of their book will not apply to those in the Know, who will be eager to get on to the numerous campaigns waged by the couple and their supporters. All are described here from anti-circus protests, fur trade, and bullfighting protests, to ‘hunt sabing’ the art of disrupting organised hunts with their packs of hounds, to even up the chance of the fox to escape unharmed. These countryside protests ultimately led to the formation of a badger protection group in West Sussex. Along the way the Wilds have sometimes won, and sometimes lost their fights, and in the process suffered a few near-death experiences. The pages are illustrated from their own archive of pictures and press cuttings, supported by Jaine and Simon’s descriptions of the events depicted.
This is very much the Wild’s family album, played out on a public stage. The Knowledgeable will recognize the significance of the occasions, and even see themselves in some of the pictures. For the General reader words and phrases of importance are printed in red ink, which may, or may not, annoy; but serves to hammer home the couple’s evangelical style. The General reader is left with much of the jargon of wildlife protection and a plethora of related acronyms firmly wringing in their ears. Warning: This book provides an education to the uninitiated!
Campaigns, whether of a military or wildlife protection nature, culminate in a series of battles won. When achievement of objectives has been obtained that is an appropriate time to write the history of victory. This is probably the reason why the Wild’s book has been published now. Jaine and Simon’s participation in anti-foxhunting activity over the years, joining with other groups all over the United Kingdom, enabled them to play their part in the enactment of the Anti-Hunting Bill, 2004, a major achievement and chronicled in their book. However, the Wild’s personal campaign for Anti-Snaring legislation has taken effect and achieved results in a much shorter time. Simon’s appearances before committees of the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly being precursors to the two nations adopting anti-snaring clauses in their legislation. For Jaine and Simon this has been a proud achievement, but the couple acknowledge this is not the end of the road, and the campaign goes on.
The title of this book is a fascinating one. Those in the Know will recognise the significance of the aspect of struggle metaphorical and physical. General readers, however, will have read Simon Wild’s introduction to himself and noted his praise of and adherence to the writings of Henry S. Salt, the late 19th century advocate of animals’ rights. Could the General reader have assumed from the title Skirmishes with Savages that Simon had omitted to mention he was also influenced by other 19th century writers, possibly G.A Henty, or James Fenimore Cooper?
J. T.
