Crowds enjoy Boxing Day festive hunt
Thousands of people turned out for what could be the last Boxing Day meet before the hunting ban is repealed.
Freezing conditions underfoot meant the Cottesmore, Fernie and Quorn hunts were restricted to just a gathering while the Belvoir hunt, due to meet in Grantham, was called off.
This year's Boxing Day meet could be the last with the hunting ban in force after Tory leader David Cameron promised a free vote on the issue, if his party wins next year's General Election.
In Prestwold, near Loughborough, about 2,000 people turned out to watch the start of the Quorn hunt.
Crowds had to settle for watching the huntsmen gallop around the grounds of Prestwold Hall followed by the hounds because of the weather.
Quorn huntsman Peter Collins, who has taken part in the past eight meetings, took charge for the day.
He said: "If there is a change in the law, then that will be a good thing for us all. At the moment, we'll do what we can and carry on hunting within the laws.
"It's possible that there could be a repeal if the Conservatives get into power and we would welcome that.
"It's obvious from the thousands here how much support the hunt has."
Alice Barnard, eastern regional director for the Countryside Alliance, was at the Quorn hunt to show her support.
She said: "I'm from Melton and have been coming here on Boxing Day for a number of years.
"Next year could be very significant if David Cameron becomes Prime Minister.
"There are obviously bigger priorities than hunting, but he has promised a free vote.
"The only just action would be to repeal the ban. It's a bad piece of legislation and if there is a vote I think it will be repealed."
Chris Parker, joint master of the Fernie, which met at Great Bowden, said: "We were unable to hunt because of the icy conditions. The gateways and tracks were full of solid ice.
"It's a shame we weren't able to take part in the usual hunt but hopefully next year it will be back to the days before the ban.
"These are quite exciting times for us with the possibility of a repeal a few months away.
"We've been keeping the meets going and the support is as strong as ever.
"The ban is unworkable and unenforceable. We try to stay within the constraints regardless of our views, but it's a silly piece of legislation."
Anti-hunting campaign group the League Against Cruel Sports launched a series of videos on its website on Boxing Day showing images of foxes being killed on hunts.
Louise Robertson, deputy head of campaigns and communications for the League Against Cruel Sports, said hunt supporters were "mad" if they thought a vote would go in their favour.
The group recently carried out a poll, via market research company MORI, which suggested 75% of the public were against hunting and 62% of Conservative voters opposed it.
Ms Robertson said: "We know hunting is not popular with the public and they would be mad to think there will be a repeal."
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by Kulgan, Crydee
Monday, December 28 2009, 2:02PM
“I wonder Bill, where it says you have to vote Conservative and have to have attended Eton be involved in a hunt. If you read the story, some 62% of Conservative voters are against Fox Hunting. Some prejudice there I think.
Personally, I find hunting offensive and not a humane method of pest (an arguable point) control. This law will not be repealed therefore a mute point.”
by Pete, Wigston, Leicestershire
Monday, December 28 2009, 1:09PM
“I have no doubt that Conservative hunt supporters will claim they do not go after the more able rich millionaire foxes in their large detached countryside residences, but that they have a moral duty to wipe out the homeless foxes and those in poor health or somewhat lacking in education.”
by Karin, Oadby
Monday, December 28 2009, 1:04PM
“For every vociferous hunt supporter there are hundreds of people that find this 'sport' abhorrent. Then hunters are a peculiar minority that have probably been indoctrinated from a very young age. I am not of any particular political persuasion but is this really a matter deserving of attention?After all the tories are assured the votes of pretty much all of the hunters anyway!!”
by j, leic
Monday, December 28 2009, 12:59PM
“"Thousands of people turned out for what could be the last Boxing Day meet before the hunting ban is repealed."
Errr, nice impartial headline there LM!! And don't be so daft, this law wont get repealed, nor should it be.”
by paul, Houghton
Monday, December 28 2009, 12:17PM
“Having read all these comments i can not find one that supports hunting. You may get a couple of thousand people suppoting the hunt but there are far more against it. Come the next election i will be asking what my representatives feel prior to voting.”
by Bill, Leics
Monday, December 28 2009, 11:41AM
“The Idol rich at it again. Vote Tory and you can be one. Cam and Co care so much for the normal people, they might even let you go to Eton”
by Malcolm, Cornwall
Monday, December 28 2009, 11:28AM
“Huzzah! for the royal mounted cowards - 40 riders and 50 dogs versus 1 fox. Now there's bravery for you. Remember all the lies they told you of how everyone in the countryside would lose their jobs, horses slaughtered and dogs put down. The end of the world as these plonkers knew it. Oh! sorry, am I being envious again. Go on and vote for Dopey Cameron and Gormless George this is just a taster of what you will get when they get in again.”
by Andy Murtha, Leicester
Monday, December 28 2009, 11:26AM
“Quorn huntsman Peter Collins forgets ALL is supporters are at the hunt fighting there cause. The fact still remains for every one of his sadistic supporters there are hundreds of thousands who disagree with hunting. The Law may be difficult to enforce but there horses should by there reckoning be also counted as a animal that does not need protecting and shot at the hunt the bill for taking them to the knackers yard then sent to the owner. I would not agree with this thought I love all animals but the same obviously can not be said of any one who hunts. They are the true vermin in this world not the Fox”
by Julie, Leicester
Monday, December 28 2009, 10:55AM
“I just wonder what it says about some people that they don't find something as pleasurable without pain and blood involved and they can't wait for it to return.
(And no, this isn't a 'town people versus country people' thing, I grew up in rural Cumbria, huntsman John Peel country).”
by Pete, Wigston, Leicestershire
Monday, December 28 2009, 10:55AM
“Why do Conservatives enjoy ripping apart defenceless animals just for adult entertainment?
If by some mischance they win the coming election, no doubt the less well off will similarly suffer.”