Weather proves ultimate winner at last legal hunt (From Warrington Guardian)

Weather proves ultimate winner at last legal hunt

ICY weather stalled a traditional hunt gathering in Lach Dennis - but a leading official says supporters will continue to hold meetings -in the future.

Cheshire Forest Hunt joint master Richard De Prez was speaking after the annual post-Christmas meeting -- set to be the last before hunting with hounds becomes illegal on February 18 - went ahead as a display of horses and hounds only.

Anti-hunt campaigners had already called off their traditional protest due to what they had claimed was a 'threat of violence' from pro-hunt extremists, and added: 'you don't gatecrash a funeral to gloat'.

More than 300 followers applauded the Cheshire Forest Hunt as they gathered for their Boxing Day meet - held this year on December 27 - in a field adjoining the Duke of Portland inn.

Due to the icy weather, the hunt itself was called off, with the hounds and horses put through their paces for the crowd of followers instead.

Mr De Prez said the hunt would challenge any forthcoming legislation against fox hunting at every opportunity and added that members intend to stay within the law.

He said: "The subject is in the hands of the judiciary but we will not break the law on hunting if the ban comes into place.

"We will challenge the courts and we will continue to meet but will take the hounds and horses out for exercise and we will not intentionally go out to hunt foxes if that is what the law says.

"There is a lot of ambiguity in the law. Whatever ban comes into place we do not see it as the final nail in the coffin for hunting."

Cheshire Forest Hunt secretary John Mawdsley said they were delighted with the turnout of followers, which he said indicated the amount of 'solid support' for hunting among lovers of country sports.

League Against Cruel Sports chief executive Douglas Batchelor said: "Our members, like the majority of people in this country, are thrilled that the passage of the Hunting Act means that December 27 marked the last legal Boxing Day hunts."

jbrakell@guardiangrp.co.uk