Tens of thousands of hunt supporters turned out across our green and pleasant land to cheer the men and women in pink today, as the first Boxing Day Hunts since the national ban on foxhunting with hounds came into force, produced what appeared set to be record crowds.
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An estimated 4,000 supporters gathered at Worcester Lodge at Didmarton in Gloucestershire to see off the famous Beaufort Hunt, which has been joined in the past by the Prince of Wales and his two sons.
An estimated 4,000 supporters gathered at Worcester Lodge at Didmarton in Gloucestershire to see off the famous Beaufort Hunt, which has been joined in the past by the Prince of Wales and his two sons.
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Two thousand more watched the pink-jacketed members of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase Hunt set out from Winslow in Buckinghamshire.
Two thousand more watched the pink-jacketed members of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase Hunt set out from Winslow in Buckinghamshire.
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In villages and market towns across the country, thousands more cheered out their local hunts, defying attempts to kill off the sport ten months into the hunting ban.
In villages and market towns across the country, thousands more cheered out their local hunts, defying attempts to kill off the sport ten months into the hunting ban.
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Although all concerned said that the hunts were respecting the letter of the new Hunting Act, shooting foxes flushed out by birds of prey or using only two dogs instead of a full pack, The Times reported this morning that police chiefs are demanding new powers to tackle illegal hunting.
Although all concerned said that the hunts were respecting the letter of the new Hunting Act, shooting foxes flushed out by birds of prey or using only two dogs instead of a full pack, The Times reported this morning that police chiefs are demanding new powers to tackle illegal hunting.
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The Times reported that Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, is being urged by Chief Constables to give officers a right of access on private land to check hunting activity and make arrests. Police also want hunting crimes to be "recordable offences", allowing forces to keep track of persistent offenders.
The Times reported that Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, is being urged by Chief Constables to give officers a right of access on private land to check hunting activity and make arrests. Police also want hunting crimes to be "recordable offences", allowing forces to keep track of persistent offenders.
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However, if Charles Clark, the Home Secretary gets his way it is Chief Constables, who are in danger of being reduced from 42 to 12, that could soon become an endangered species. Therefore, they would perhaps be better off seeking protection from New Labour and their followers.
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Not to be deterred, Britain's oldest surviving hunt club, the Cheshire Hunt, was out in force for the first traditional Boxing Day meet since the ban. Founded in 1762, the club of around 80 horsemen and women in traditional red or black tunics, paraded in the village of Tarporley, Cheshire, before setting off to hunt foxes. Stephen O'Brien, the local Tory MP, (and shadow trade spokesman) addressed the hunters and supporters before they set off. He said: "In the light of legislation, hunts are quite rightly looking carefully to ensure they comply with the law and carry on with the traditions which exemplify the very highest values within our rural and village communities."
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Tallyho - indeed.
Tallyho - indeed.
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