Herefordshire hunt supporters hoping 2010 will see end of ban (From Hereford Times)

Herefordshire hunt supporters hoping 2010 will see end of ban

7:00am Saturday 2nd January 2010 in News By Paul Rogers

John Holliday, joint master of the Ledbury Hunt, parading through the town on Boxing Day.

THOUSANDS of people across the county braved icy conditions to give their support for the traditional hunt meetings in what could be the last under the current Hunting Act.

Conservative leader David Cameron has promised a free vote on a repeal of the existing legislation if his party gets into power next year.

Around 1,000 people gathered in Hay-on-Wye on Boxing Day to support the Golden Valley Hunt, with a further 20 people on horseback.

Icy conditions meant some meetings had to be called off over the festive period due to the hard ground.

But more than 50 huntsmen still managed to parade their horses and hounds in Ledbury on Boxing Day, which saw several thousand people come out in support.

“Hounds have been meeting in Ledbury on Boxing Day since 1833 and once again we had tremendous support,”

said member Donald Haden.

“I am confident that with the huge support of the rural community, we could ensure that the Ledbury foxhounds would continue to meet here for at least 100 more years.”

Between 500 and 600 people also gathered at the Tump Inn in Wormelow to show their support and horses and hounds also paraded through Kington and Llanstephan, near Brecon.