Sabs and supporters out in force at Fitzwillam Hunt near Peterborough

Supporters and sabs were both out in force on New Year's Day for the traditional January 1 Fitzwilliam Hunt.
Fitzwilliam Hunt New Year's Day 2019 meet at Wansford EMN-190101-131341009Fitzwilliam Hunt New Year's Day 2019 meet at Wansford EMN-190101-131341009
Fitzwilliam Hunt New Year's Day 2019 meet at Wansford EMN-190101-131341009

The hunt met in Wansford,with hundreds of people coming out to get a view of the horses, dogs and the golden eagle used by the hunt. The crowd gathered at the Haycock Hotel before the hunt started, with dozens of hounds and horses on display. They were joined by anti-hunt protesters, who were carrying banners labelling the hunt ‘illegal and immoral.’ Children were in both groups, supporting the hunt and protesting against it.

Last year former huntsmaster George Adams was convicted of illegal hunting, while last month a hound was killed on the A14 during a hunt. The incident happened on the A14 at Thrapston, and Northants Police started an investigation into the incident. The Fitzwilliam Hunt say they operate legally - although they claim the Hunting Act 2004 is ‘an ill thought-out piece of legislation,’ and say they do not use dogs to kill foxes.

There was a police presence in the village while people came to meet the hunt, but police said there were no arrests made.