Moment Wiltshire hunt supporters and animal right activists trade punches in furious scenes as traditional Boxing Day ride turns into terrifying fight
Hunt saboteurs sparked a mass brawl with hunting supporters today as a traditional festive meet turned into a terrifying fight.
One of the activists punched one of the countrymen in the face as he tried to guide them away from the horses and hounds at the Avon Vale Hunt's Boxing Day ride.
The pro-hunter defended himself as others tried to round on him, with one demonstrator trying to choke him from behind during the vicious attack in Lacock, near Chippenham, in Wiltshire.
The violent scenes, which saw around 100 saboteurs surround the pack chanting and screaming, marred one of the staple days in the country calendar.
Meanwhile another prestigious hunt was forced to call in bouncers to protect them from angry activists gathered in protest in a different location.
Security guards ensured the members of the Ledbury Hunt were safe as thugs jeered them as they made their way through the Herefordshire market town.
Elsewhere riders and hounds took across the countryside as scaled down Boxing Day hunts met under Covid restrictions for the second year running.
Packs painted a stunning picture as they tore over fields across the UK despite celebrations being dimmed down due to the pandemic.
Trail and drag hunts went ahead but in limited numbers and many passed up the usual popular send offs on village and town greens.
The violent scenes, which saw around 100 saboteurs surround the pack chanting and screaming, marred one of the staple days in the country calendar
One of the activists punched one of the countrymen in the face as he tried to guide them away from the horses and hounds at the Avon Vale Hunt's Boxing Day ride
The pro-hunter defended himself as others tried to round on him, with one demonstrator trying to choke him from behind during the vicious attack in Lacock, near Chippenham, in Wiltshire
Later footage showed one of the huntsman speaking calmly to a female officer while an anti-hunt protester screamed in her face before being told the be quiet (pictured)
Shocking video emerged on Monday afternoon of the violence at the meet outside the Red Lion pub in Lacock earlier in the day.
Around 100 hunt saboteurs - which are people who have been trying to thwart even legal forms of hunting that have been in place since the Hunting Act in 2004 - surrounded the Avon Vale Hunt as they headed out for the day.
They chanted 'shame on you' repeatedly at the huntsmen, their horses and their hounds and waved banners and placards at the riders.
One countryman held his hands up as he tried to reason with the mob, slowly walking between them and pleading for calm.
The master huntsman blew his horn and the pack started to get on its way to the field, but violence broke out among the crowds still by the pub.
Some supporters tried to guide the antis out the way of the oncoming horses but were met with fierce resistance from the swell of protesters.
One middle-aged man wrapped his arm around one of the pro-hunters neck and tried to headlock him before another punched him viciously in the face.
The victim tried to retaliate but he and another pushed the saboteurs away from them before Wiltshire police were called.
Later footage showed one of the huntsman speaking calmly to a female officer while an anti-hunt protester screamed in her face before being told the be quiet.
The officer tells the sab: 'Stop shouting. Don't you dare speak to me like that.' The protester pulled their mask up over their face and continued to yell.
A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: 'We were aware of a planned local hunt in Lacock today and officers attended at around 11am when concerns were raised about tensions between those involved in the hunt and protesters.
'Officers remained on the scene to manage the two groups and they had dispersed by around 12.30pm. At this stage no arrests have been made but our enquiries are continuing.'
Hunters and packs painted a stunning picture as they tore over fields across the UK - despite celebrations being dimmed down due to the pandemic. Pictured: The Essex and Suffolk Hunt today
Trail and drag hunts went ahead but in limited numbers and many passed up the usual send offs on village and town greens. Pictured: The Essex and Suffolk Hunt today
A young fan sits with a huntsman on his horse before they set out at the Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt on Monday
The hounds tear off ahead of the horses as the Essex with Farmers Hunt get underway in the South East on Monday morning
The Duke of Beaufort's Hunt Boxing Day meet at Worcester Lodge, Didmarton, Gloucestershire, on a drizzly Monday morning
Meanwhile the Ledbury Hunt in Herefordshire were forced to hire bouncers this year to protect them amid the fear caused by saboteurs.
Security guards were called in to keep the peace while protesters waving placards shouted 'shame on you' and 'you're not welcome' as riders, horses and hounds gathered.
A large number of people also turned out to support the hunt, which is taking place a day later than usual, as hunts do not traditionally take place on a Sunday.
Tom Leeke, of the Ledbury Hunt, said the hunt had made 'honest mistakes' in the past, but that the event was a historic and much-loved piece of pageantry in the town.
He thanked people for supporting their 175-year tradition, and stressed that they would be trail hunting and not fox hunting as is legal.
Boxing Day hunts met across England, Scotland and Wales on Monday morning due to them usually not heading out on Sundays because it is a day of rest.
The packs, of which there are around 250 in the UK, had to follow strict government guidance in England and Wales, with those in the latter only allowing up to 50 to attend.
Master huntsmen had to weigh up disappointing the thousands that usually flock to see hunts off with containing the threat of Covid super strain Omicron.
There were fears over what skipping the meets would have on the local community, with pubs and other local businesses normally cashing in on huge crowds.
There were fears over what skipping the meets would have on the local community, with pubs and other local businesses cashing in on huge crowds gathering. Pictured: The Essex and Suffolk Hunt today
Boxing Day hunts met across England, Scotland and Wales on Monday morning due to them usually not heading out on Sundays because it is a day of rest. Pictured: The Essex and Suffolk Hunt today
The Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt sets off for it's Christmas ride from the Chequers Pub in the rural Essex village of Matching Green today
Ralph Richardson, joint-master and huntsman of the Middleton Hunt, based in Yorkshire, which hosted two meets in Driffield and in Malton, said: 'Our meets have yet again been well attended by those for whom so many it is a traditional part of their annual festivities and as well as parading in the towns, we also took the hounds to visit a local care home which brought smiles to the faces of the residents.
'We were happy that this year those attending our meets could support the local pubs and shops which, like so many other local businesses, have had a difficult year.'
Mary Perry, joint-master of the Cotley Hunt, encouraged people to take precautions ahead of the meet in Chard, Somerset, to help prevent the spread of the virus: 'We circulated advice ahead of the meet to urge those attending to take a lateral flow test and to please stay at home if the test was positive or if they felt unwell.
'We also advised those gathering on foot to wear masks in confined spaces and to social distance wherever possible.'
Those looking to ride with the hounds were asked to take lateral flow tests this morning and not to join if they came back positive or if they felt unwell generally.
Meanwhile any eager supporters who turned up were asked to don face coverings if they found themselves in enclosed spaces.
Polly Portwin, Director of the Campaign for Hunting at the Countryside Alliance said: 'Festive meets are hugely popular and well attended by both hunt followers and local communities, for whom the event has become a cherished family tradition.' Pictured: The Duke of Beaufort's Hunt today
The Cotley Harriers ride their horses through the high street at Chard in Somerset on their annual Boxing Day hunt with locals and supporters cheering on despite a small handful of activists trying to ruin the day
Elsa Batton, three, prepares to ride behind the The Duke of Beaufort's Hunt at their Boxing Day meet at Worcester Lodge, Didmarton, Gloucestershire, today
Polly Portwin, Director of the Campaign for Hunting at the Countryside Alliance said: 'Festive meets are hugely popular and well attended by both hunt followers and local communities, for whom the event has become a cherished family tradition.
'While many meets have been smaller scale this year due to the restrictions, they have still provided a big boost both socially and economically across the countryside, as does trail hunting throughout the season.
The packs, of which there are around 250 in the UK, had to follow strict government guidance in England and Wales, with those in the latter only allowing up to 50 to attend. Pictured: The Essex and Suffolk Hunt today
'The popularity of this annual spectacle, which is an opportunity for hunts to welcome people who might only see a hunt on this one occasion each year, shows no signs of waning, despite more than 16 years operating under the confines of the Hunting Act.'
She added: 'We hope that next year, meets can return to their full glory which can see crowds hit the hundreds of thousands.'
Elsewhere in Britain, hunts in Scotland and Wales were subjected to separate restrictions that limited the number of people being able to attend outside events.
In Wales, where gatherings outside are limited to 50 people, the majority of hunts decided to cancel, while those that went ahead limited attendance to riders.
The Curre & Llangibby Hunt in Wales was among those hunts forced to cancel their usual public meet in Devauden Green, Monmouthshire, due to the change in recent Covid restrictions.
Juliette Evans, joint-master of the hunt, said: 'Although we understand the need to restrict numbers at gatherings, it was disappointing to have to cancel our public meet this year because it is usually a very social event which is an integral part of the festivities for local farmers and the wider rural community.'
Meanwhile in Scotland, outside events are limited to 500 people. While there are only eight registered hunts there, attendance at festive meets can reach into the thousands.
Tim Allen, Master and huntsman of the Duke of Buccleuch's Hunt who met at Floor's Castle, near Kelso said: 'With the changes to outdoor events coming into force in Scotland yesterday, we've had to limit the number of those attending to 500 people which is a considerably smaller crowd to usual, however, we were delighted to be able to go ahead and hope these new measures will help slow the spread of the virus.'
There are still some activists who are still trying to ban any form of legal hunting 17 years after the Hunting Act outlawed the killing of foxes with hounds.
Elsewhere in Britain, hunts in Scotland and Wales were subjected to separate restrictions that limited the number of people being able to attend outside events. Pictured: The Duke of Beaufort's Hunt today
Mary Perry, joint-master of the Cotley Hunt, encouraged people to take precautions ahead of the meet in Chard, Somerset, to help prevent the spread of the virus: 'We circulated advice ahead of the meet to urge those attending to take a lateral flow test and to please stay at home if the test was positive or if they felt unwell.' Pictured: The Cotley Harriers
The Cotley Harriers ride their horses through the high street at Chard in Somerset on their annual Boxing Day hunt with locals and supporters watching on today
The Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt sets off for it's Christmas ride from the Chequers Pub in the rural Essex village of Matching Green today
The Duke of Beaufort's Hunt Boxing Day meet at Worcester Lodge, Didmarton, Gloucestershire, is pictured on Monday morning
Campaigning charity the League Against Cruel Sports on Boxing Day issued another call to stop packs going out on public land.
Chris Luffingham, director of external affairs at the LACS, said: 'We know, and it has been found in court, that hunters use the excuse of so-called trail hunting to carry on as they always have.
'Their breathtaking arrogance in thinking the rules simply don't apply to them cannot be tolerated by the general public any longer, who are getting very adept at seeing through the pathetic smokescreen of half truths and lies.
'Enough is enough. We have been told that specific government departments are responsible for how they manage their land, and therefore we call upon the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to end the issuing of trail hunting licences on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
'Similarly, we urge Forestry England to make their suspension of licences permanent, following the likes of the National Trust, Natural Resources Wales, national parks and local councils who have all seen past the smokescreen and understand trail hunting is simply old-fashioned illegal hunting by another name.'
He added: 'It's time all major landowners permanently banned trail hunting on their land and that the government strengthens the Hunting Act to ensure its loopholes can no longer be exploited.'
Despite Sunday traditionally being a day of rest for hunts, some headed out yesterday to take part in the Boxing Day hunts.
Hundreds of supporters wrapped up in their hats and scarves to watch the annual event, which took place in various locations across the country.
Spectators descended upon the market town of Petersfield as members of The South Downs Bloodhounds took part in the annual tradition.
Dressed in their new mustard coat uniforms and sporting festive mice pie and Santa hats, riders on horseback made their way through the town's streets as their supporters came out to watch.
The South Downs Bloodhounds, which was formed in 2004, usually begin their season around the end of August, with people able to follow the hunt from the road or from their cars.
The latest event comes just days after the group gathered in foggy conditions for a hunt near Cranborne Manor in East Dorset.
This month the group also carried out hunts near Whitewool Farm in East Meon and Milton Hill Farm in Pewsey.
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