A TRADITIONAL hunt in Northwich was scuppered due to nature rather than any ban this week.
The Cheshire Forest Hunt traditionally rides out on Boxing Day from the Duke of Portland pub in Lach Dennis for what is one of the biggest event's on the hunting calendar. This year's hunt should have taken on even more significance, as a ban is due to come in force early next year.
But there was no great send off as poor weather conditions meant the hunt was cancelled.
Hundreds of members of the public went along to support the hunt but could only watch the traditional start before it was abandoned.
Master of the hunt Richard de Prez said there had been a good turnout. And added: 'The weather has been able to do what Tony Blair was unable to - stop us from hunting.'
He told those who gathered in Lach Dennis that the hunt would return next Boxing Day - and that they would continue to hunt within the parameters of the law.
Members of the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) decided not to protest at Lach Dennis because of an alleged incident in 2003 in which a protester was attacked. The woman, a LACS spokeswoman, claimed she was pushed to the ground by a hunt supporter.
And Douglas Batchelor, chief executive of the LACS, said safety concerns had stopped their members attending. He said: 'Our members, like the majority of people in this country, are thrilled the passage of the Hunting Act meant Monday's hunt will be the last legal Boxing Day hunt.
'Many would have liked to have gone out to mark this historic occasion. However, our concern about the safety of our members in the face of intimidation from the hunting fraternity led us to ask supporters to avoid confrontation.'
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