Record crowds turn out for hunt

Dec 27 2006

by Liam Murphy, Daily Post

HUNDREDS of supporters turned out for the annual Boxing Day meetings in Cheshire, in a show of defiance against laws banning hunting.   The Boxing Day hunt meets are usually the largest of the year, and record numbers had turned out in 2005 to show their support for the blood sport, which was banned in February of that year.   Hunters in the North West yesterday claimed even more had turned out this year to support them.   Around 314 registered hunts were planning to go out yesterday, which could have drawn crowds totalling around 250,000.   Joint Master of the Cheshire Forest Hunt, Richard de Prez, said public support had been “absolutely massive” and estimated 300-400 people turned out to watch their 35 riders set off.   He said: “We have a good turn-out, especially since we had a hunt on Christmas Eve.”   The crowds had turned out at Lach Dennis to see the riders in their red coats (traditionally called Pinks) and the hounds set off across the Cheshire countryside.   Trails had been left using rags soaked in fox urine and then dragged across the fields, laying down a scent for the dogs to follow.

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