Thousands attend Boxing Day hunts (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Thousands attend Boxing Day hunts

NEARLY a year after the pursuit was banned, thousands of hunt supporters turned out in force across the Cotswolds on Boxing Day.

Lord and Lady Apsley hosted around 2,500 people in Cirencester Park for the Vale of the White Horse (VWH) meet.

The Cotswold Hunt and Beaufort Hunt also met for what is traditionally the most popular date in the hunting calendar.

More than 3,000 turned out to support the Beaufort, which is based near the home of Prince Charles, and 500 gathered in Andoversford to see the Cotswold Hunt.

VWH huntsman Mark Hill said: "We had a fantastic turnout, probably a record. The support we have received has been tremendous - Boxing Day was a benchmark for every hunt now the press has died down, but people turned out in their hordes."

The Hunting Act, which came into force in February, does not seem to have had a great deal of impact on the popularity of the blood sport.

Most hunts continue to hunt with hounds, although the new law has restricted the manner in which they are allowed to kill their prey.

Nevertheless, an opinion poll commissioned by the pro-hunt Countryside Alliance (CA) suggests that three in five people feel the ban is not working.

Only a third believe it to be effective, at least one point of agreement between those for and against the controversial countryside pursuit.

It is certainly clear that the number of foxes being killed since the passing of the Hunting Act has not been significantly reduced.

Foxes are allowed to be flushed out and killed by terriers, while some hunts are even using eagles to kill them.

However, while the CA says the new law is absurd and ill thought out, anti-hunt groups believe the ban is not working only because it is being broken.

The League Against Cruel Sports says it is up to huntsmen to act responsibly and hunt within the law.

Chief executive Douglas Batchelor said: "The law is only not working when people are breaking it by chasing foxes instead of following an artificial scent.

"The Theft Act did not stop burglary and the Hunting Act will not stop cruelty - the law only makes these activities a criminal offence.

"Where hunters continue to chase foxes with packs of dogs, they will be reported to the police and prosecuted."

Mark Hill told the Standard a huntsman made a speech at the beginning of the VWH meet on Monday, which was well received.

He said: "We endeavour to hunt within the law and everyone seems happy with it."