Thousands support Boxing Day hunts (From Hereford Times)

Crowds turn out for Herefordshire fox hunts

1:46pm Friday 26th December 2008 in News By Ian Morris

THOUSANDS have gathered in Herefordshire’s market towns and villages to support the Boxing Day hunts.

On a sunny winter’s morning a crowd of around 500 met outside the Tump Inn in Wormelow to cheer on the South Herefordshire Hunt.

Others gathered in Bromyard, Bredenbury, Kington, Bosbury, Hay-on-Wye and Leominster.

The Hunting Act made it a criminal offence to hunt with dogs, but still allows hounds to follow a scent.

Mal Williams, joint master of the South Herefordshire Hunt, was one of many people today fervently speaking out against that law.

He said: “This is the fourth year since the ban and we are still here. We hope that with a new election around the corner we can return to hunting soon.”