Hunt out in force for New Year's Day meet (From Gazette & Herald)

Hunt out in force for New Year's Day meet

HUNTERS and their supporters turned out for a traditional meet with almost two centuries of history behind it, determined not to let the looming ban dampen their mood.

About 40 riders took part in the traditional New Year's Day Derwent Hunt meet at The Hall, Thornton-le-Dale, on Saturday.

The Derwent Hunt meets twice a week during the hunting season, which runs from September to April. It has met on New Year's Day at The Hall at Thornton-le-Dale every year since it was founded in 1808.

Last year frosty ground meant the hunt had to be cancelled, but this year the hunters faced the permanent threat posed by a ban on hunting with dogs, which is due to come into force on February 18.

The Mudd family were among the supporters who came to see the hunt off. Clavenny Mudd, of Sinnington, said: "I have been involved in and around hunting all my life, and I used to live here in Thornton-le-Dale. It will be a sad day if the traditional hunts are stopped."

A handful of anti-hunt protesters also observed tradition by turning up at the meet, among them seasoned hunt protester Annabel Holt holding a banner reading "people who hunt to shoot are traitors of the natural world".

Updated: 10:32 Monday, January 03, 2005