Boxing Day hunt still draws crowds

The Vine and Craven Hunt gathered for its traditional Boxing Day meet in Lambourn, attracting a large crowd of enthusiastic followers, many of whom were in their teens or even younger.
Master of the hunt Angus Marshall made a now familiar, bullish speech about trail hunting under the “temporary arrangements” of the Hunting Act which bans hunting wild animals with dogs.
But his words rang slightly hollow this year - the eight Boxing Day Hunt under its rules - coming, as they did, days after the news that the Government is delaying its plans for a free vote on the highly emotive issue.
Speaking on the BBC’s World at One programme just before Christmas, Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps conceded that the Government did not have the necessary parliamentary majority to overturn the ban.
He said: “There is precious little point if you think you are not going to win the votes, or that Parliament isn’t going to change the law.”
But there was no shortage of visible support locally as hundreds of people crowded into the gallops off Crowle Road.
Mr Marshall thanked hosts Charlie and Mary Anne Parker, who had been busy barbecuing sausages and providing refreshments for hunt followers.
He also thanked local landowners and trainers for permitting use of their land for the hunt before announcing: “The trail has been laid - let’s go and have some fun.”
Pick up a copy of the Newbury Weekly News on Thursday, January 3, for lots more pictures of the gathering and of the hunt.