THE Berkeley Hunt’s annual Boxing Day meet passed off peacefully in Thornbury without the clashes which marred events in other parts of the country.

Crowds gathered to watch as members of the hunt met in Thornbury High Street for their traditional Boxing Day Meet a day later than usual, on Monday after a year off due to Covid.

A group of animal rights campaigners attended too, with protesters holding up placards with slogans such as ‘stop killing wildlife’ and ‘ban all hunting’.

Pictures taken at the scene show one person dressed as a fox holding a banner which read ‘For fox sake enforce the ban’.

The hunting of foxes was banned in 2004 by Tony Blair’s government, so instead the hounds follow a scent laid down with a rag, which is known as trail hunting.

Anti-hunt activists allege this is simply a smokescreen and that the killing of foxes has not stopped.

A spokesman for the hunt said: “This was a very welcome return to a degree of normality and the crowds came out to support us.”

Berkeley Hunt joint master Haydn Jones added: “We wanted to ensure an enjoyable day for the thousands of people that come out every year to support and celebrate this important cultural

event with us.

“We encouraged members to take lateral flow tests and advised our followers to take appropriate precautions.”

Mr Jones also highlighted the boost for local businesses provided by the meet.

He said: “The special Boxing Day meet is one of the largest community events of the year in Thornbury and provides an important boost to trade for many local businesses."

In Lacock near Chippenham, violent punch-ups broke out as anti-hunt protesters clashed with hunt supporters on Monday.