Fitzwilliam Hunt New Year’s Day meet in Wansford met with protest
Hundreds of people gathered on New Year’s Day to watch horses and hounds parade through a village.
The Fitzwilliam Hunt held its annual meet in Wansford yesterday (January 1) in front of crowds of spectators.
The hunt rode into the village and stopped at The Old Barn behind the Haycock Manor Hotel for people to meet the horses, hounds and bird of prey.
In a statement, the joint masters of the Fitzwilliam Hunt said: “We are very pleased to see so many friends, old and new, supporting us and enjoying seeing our horses, hounds and bird of prey.
“It’s a great way to start the year.”
Protesters and members of saboteur groups also gathered in the street, with a number of people holding placards in opposition to the hunt.
Among them was Robin Jones, from Baston, who is a member of the League Against Cruel Sports.
He said: “While it is part of tradition on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, there is opposition in this country towards hunts.
“The other side of the coin should be presented in a peaceful way.”
Robin is calling on political parties to share their policies on animal rights ahead of the next general election.
Earlier this month we asked on our website, lincsonline.co.uk, if hunts should meet at Christmas.
Out of the 2,270 voters, 83 per cent believe hunts should not meet at Christmas while 16 per cent were in support of the tradition. Ten people were undecided.
These results were correct at the time of publication.
Hunting foxes with dogs or by using traps and snares was made illegal in England and Wales in 2004 under the Hunting Act.
The legal method of hunting with hounds involves a fox-scented trail being laid by a horse rider, which the hounds follow through the countryside.
The Fitzwilliam Hunt also met on Boxing Day in Stilton.
What do you think? Share your views in the comments.
