Tens of thousands gather at Boxing Day hunts as protesters call for ban

26 December 2023 , 12:57

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Tens of thousands gather at Boxing Day hunts as protesters call for ban

Tens of thousands of people are gathering today for the annual Boxing Day hunt parades - with one event almost thwarted by a wheelbarrow race as tempers flared.

The yearly festive meets - numbering more than 200 - across many countryside locations throughout the UK, give the opportunity to showcase trail hunting and other lawful, albeit controversial, hunting activities - however, campaigners argue it is simply a "smokescreen" for the illegal hunting of foxes.

Meanwhile, some of the Royal Family will be set to take part in the annual Boxing Day shoot at Sandringham estate. They gather to hunt animals living in the surrounding area, including grouse, pheasant or larger game like stags. Prince William is among those to indulge in the activity each year.

After coming third in this year's I'm A Celebrity, ex-UKIP leader and GB news broadcaster Nigel Farage was among those at Chiddingstone Castle for the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent's hunt in Chiddingstone, Kent. He was pictured wearing a flat cap and grinning as he held up a pint.

Riders and hounds during the annual North Cotswold Boxing Day hunt in Broadway, Worcestershire (PA)

Animal rights activists had attempted to scupper the Southdown and Eridge Hunt by booking a road closure for a charity wheelbarrow race at the exact time and location of their annual meet in Lewes. Instead, the hunt moved their event forward by an hour and saw huge crowds to turn out to watch the parade of hounds through the town centre.

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Anti-hunting activists said online "the tables have turned this year" after Lewes District Council accepted its road closure application and declined the hunt's. A clip from the same event saw police intervene as protesters and hunt supporters scuffled. The hunt told its Facebook followers its procession would happen an hour earlier "due to [the] vegan foodbank wheelbarrow race". It went ahead without a road closure, after consultation with Sussex Police.

Nigel Farage at Chiddingstone Castle with a beer for Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent's annual Boxing day hunt (Grant Falvey/LNP)

Protesters were pictured at the start of the Ledbury Hunt in Herefordshire this morning, holding anti-hunt signs, as huntsman and hounds made their way down the high street at around 11am. Their appearance was referenced during the Ledbury Hunt Master's speech. He told the 3,000-strong crowd: "In the spirit of Christmas, I would also like to pass on our best wishes to those who came out today with a banner, who think what we do is cruel. Quite how hunting trails in this day and age is cruel is a mystery to us."

Fox hunting was banned in England and Wales following the introduction of the Hunting Act 2004, which came into force a year later. It is also banned in Scotland via the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002, but remain legal in Northern Ireland.

Riders during the North Cotswold Boxing Day Hunt pump fists (PA)

Trail hunting is an alternative to hunting animals with hounds. A trail of animal urine - most commonly fox - is laid in advance of the 'hunt', and then tracked by the hound pack and a group of followers, on foot, horseback, or both. But with the activity taking place in areas where such animals naturally occur, hounds often pick up the scent of live animals, sometimes resulting in them being caught and killed.

In the run up to the general election, there have been growing attempts by saboteurs and local politicians to ban the hunts. Last month North Yorkshire councillors voted against a proposal from a Labour member to ban legal trail hunting, while in Devon, Tiverton town council refused to support a motion expressing its disapproval of the annual hunt meet in the town.

Riders, including children during the North Cotswold Boxing Day Hunt (PA)

Gloucestershire county council also rejected the wording of an anti-hunting motion but agreed to hold a scrutiny committee to look at the use of its land by hunts. Labour has already vowed to toughen the Hunting Act if elected, including banning trail hunting.

Sir Keir Starmer's party has been warned to end its "running attack" on rural communities by the Countryside Alliance. The party - widely tipped to win the election - has in the past called for "loopholes" in hunting legislation to be closed. Campaign group the Countryside Alliance has urged Labour to abandon any plans to reopen the issue of hunting with new legal reforms. A general election is expected at some stage in the next 12 months.

A small child on a pony before the start of the North Cotswold hunt (PA)

Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner called on Labour not to bring forward further legislation but instead to "right the wrongs of the past" and end its "running attack on rural communities".

He said: "Keir Starmer rightly talks about a future Labour government having respect for rural communities, but that needs to be more than just a catchphrase. Rural communities need to see action and that means working with them to better the countryside, rather than attacking those who live and work in it."

Hunt members arrive for Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent annual Boxing day hunt at Chiddingstone Castle in Chiddingstone in Kent (Grant Falvey/LNP)

The organisation has said that it and the British Hound Sports Association would be ready to oppose any new restrictions.
"Ultimately the countryside doesn't want to have to have a fight over hunting again, but it will not sit back and allow itself to be bullied and become victim to a toxic culture-war," Mr Bonner said.

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A spokesman for Sussex Police said it was aware of planned parades in Lewes and Battle on Boxing Day and had "been in contact with the relevant parties" so officers can plan "an effective policing response". They added: "We recognise the events are likely to attract many spectators, as well as protestors, and police will be present to ensure the safety of the horses, hounds, public and police."

Ryan Merrifield