Crowds watch as riders keep hunt tradition alive
MORE than 200 riders set off on the Beaufort Hunt on Boxing Day this year.
The traditional event, hosted by the Duke of Beaufort at Worcester Lodge in Didmarton, near Badminton, attracted around 5,000 visitors.
One of the famous faces in the crowd was reality show Made in Chelsea star Camilla Macintosh, known as Millie.
She tweeted: "Going with the fam and pugs to the Beaufort Boxing Day meet and then for a much-needed long walk. Happy Boxing Day."
The mild weather attracted people of all ages to Worcester Lodge on what is traditionally the busiest day of the hunt calendar.
Dukes of Beaufort have either hunted hounds themselves or have been masters of the hunt since the title was created in 1682.
Spokesman Jo Aldridge said: "It was an amazing day, quite extraordinary that after all this time we have as much support as ever, if not more.
"We had a crowd of about 5,000 people on Boxing Day as there were lots of visitors to the Cotswolds after Christmas.
"When the time is right we are very much looking forward to a repeal of the law which bans hunting."
The Hunting Act 2004 made hunting with dogs a criminal offence, although exercising hounds, chasing a scent trail and flushing out foxes to be shot are all still legal.
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by Colin_Dong
Thursday, December 29 2011, 3:52PM
“Ah, good old Otis/Des - doffing his cap to his lords and masters.
I'm not sure if I detest the chinless ******* on the horses or the spineless peasants following the horses more...”
by johnnypunk66
Thursday, December 29 2011, 3:19PM
“A gathering of blithering imbeciles still holding onto outdated and barbaric tradition, totally pathetic wastes of oxygen.”
by Desenchanter
Thursday, December 29 2011, 9:49AM
“Using their horses and hounds within the defined laws. No worse than many other pastimes - like driving a car !”
by Bonkim2003
Thursday, December 29 2011, 9:22AM
“A good day's sport - keep up the tradition.”
by MimiGallagher
Thursday, December 29 2011, 1:12AM
“Idiots.”
by ladylalala
Thursday, December 29 2011, 12:42AM
“cocks!”
by Judy_Bloom
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 2:51PM
“The article doesn't state exactly what took place, it just offers suggestions as to what is currently legal.
So was this event The Beaufort Flush?”
by ScreenIdol
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 2:50PM
“A drag hunt is different to a real hunt, they can still flush out the foxes legally as long as they are then shot, killed by a bird of prey or that only two hounds or fewer are killing them.
A drag hunt follows a man running with a scent for the hounds (usually bloodhounds) to follow.
The Beaufort and all other Cotswold Hunts hunt within the full limit of the (unjust) laws.
I do believe articles like this show that hunting is not in the decline and has flourished since the Hunting ban was bought in, the anti's have got their law and we adhere to it. But it would appear the anti's can't accept the fact that hunting is far more popular than they are.”
by JeremyBadger
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 2:49PM
“The inedible chased by the despicable!”
by messyhare
Wednesday, December 28 2011, 1:26PM
“*** Jobs.”