Protest at Welshpool hunt

A planned protest of around 15 people who are opposed to fox hunting happened on Broad Street in Welshpool as the Tanatside Hunt came through the town.

They were holding signs with messages against fox hunting, but their jeers were drowned out by the hundreds of people who lined the streets to cheer on the huntsman on horseback and the dogs.

Over 30 horses were on show for the event that attracts big crowds on the town's high street every year.

But this week was the first time a protest group has been out to vent their anger against the hunt.

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies was one of the people cheering on the hunt and said: "Along with thousands of others, I joined the crowds, which were the biggest crowd I've ever seen at the Boxing Day meet.

"Most, like me, have never been hunting in their lives, and never wanted to.

"Loved the way the crowd parted, like the Red Sea to let an ambulance through. Such discipline.

"I’m always amazed how friendly and orderly everyone is bearing in mind the antipathy that hunting with dogs seems to generate."

Since the enforcement of the hunting act in 2004, the hunt now follows trails of scene instead of wild animals, and the Tanatside Hunt say its hunting is held in accordance with the act.

Mr Davies took to social media to give his views on the hunt, and others replied, with some backing the staging of the hunt.

However others also felt that there was no need to hold the tradition anymore.

Sarah Reast said: "It is a step too far in this day and age to strut about in pinks, it provokes antipathy and does nothing for the PR of the farming cause.

"What they are actually doing may not be contentious but they represent the idea of hunting as a sport rather than an industrial necessity and that is no longer acceptable.

"It is insensitive and unecessary. There needs to be a bit of understanding on both sides."

Brian Foulkes added: "There are other methods to cull the Fox in a more humane way without chasing it to exhaustion and dogs ripping it apart.

"These hooray Henry’s ought to be chased themselves and see how they like it. It certainly winds me up."