Traditional hunt proves ever-popular
Scores of people turned out to watch the traditional New Year's Day hunt in Melton.
Spectators watched as riders from the Quorn Hunt met at Playclose Park, in Melton, and paraded through the town.
Police closed roads in the town as riders made their way out into the countryside, before riding towards Saxelbye.
The riders were invited by Melton Mowbray Town Estate.
Town warden Richard Sage said: "There was a huge crowd, it was spectacular and the weather was nice.
"The hunt is a big part of Melton's history and it gives the hunters a chance to display their finery."
One onlooker said: "It was a big turn out, a lot of people packed out the streets and watch as the riders came through the town.
"It's a traditional event and always draws people in, it's something for Melton to be proud of."
Hunting with hounds was banned in 2004, so the hunts now follow scent trails.
The historic event in Melton is rotated each year between the Quorn, Cottesmore and Belvoir hunt parties.
The Quorn Hunt, usually called The Quorn, was established in 1696 and claims to be one of the world's oldest fox hunting packs in country.
6 Comments
by loftylady
Wednesday, January 04 2012, 5:58PM
“When will the public realise that the hunt do NOT follow a trail and many poor souls have become hunt supporters or joined the hunt in the mistaken belief that they do. If you spend a day out with hunt monitors/sabs who come from many backgrounds and are of all ages you will see that all their efforts to ensure "accidents DO NOT happen" are met with violence and intimidation from those that want to ensure they DO! http://tinyurl.com/7z2ntx9 . If you want to join these brave monitors they are always looking for volunteers. Time to ban the hunt or muzzle the hounds maybe.”
by karinfall1955
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 6:37PM
“As one who is and always has been opposed to hunting I have to ask what happens when the hounds are following a scent trail and pass a trail recently made by a fox? Do they continue along the allotted 'man made' route or do they deviate. I think I know what the answer would be. So how can that be legal?”
by Pro Active Resolutions
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 1:45PM
“I have to ask the same old question why do spectators and the hunt get thier enjoyment from seeing poor defensless animals torn to bits? Sleep well and enjoy your Karma!”
by malcleic65
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 12:36PM
“If scores turned out then thousands didn`t, i rest my case”
by martin_le3
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 10:42AM
“Some argue in favour of fox hunting on the grounds that it is traditional - and it seems the tradition is alive and well, despite the 2004 legislation. So surely, these is a good compromise for everyone? Both traditionalists and anti-hunting campaigners?”
by redcat
Tuesday, January 03 2012, 10:24AM
“If hundreds will turn out to watch a scent trail hunt then there really cannot be anything to the pro fox hunting campaigners claims that the industry would collapse when the animal cruelty element was removed.”